John W. Borek Presents: Occupant

The story of Nevelson’s artistic, spiritual, even physical transformation (she developed a taste for outrageous outfits and false eyelashes made of mink) is dramatic, complex, and inseparable from major historical and cultural shifts of the twentieth century, particularly in the art world.

​

Unapologetically flamboyant, New York sculptor Louise Nevelson's life was one marked by intrepid artistic triumphs as well as deep inner turmoil. In Edward Albee's Occupant, both her public accomplishments and private emotional conflicts are thoroughly examined by an unnamed interviewer who questions the posthumous Nevelson with an unabashed scrutiny. From her unique vantage point beyond the grave, Nevelson answers his queries with a clarity born of the distance provided by death. The result is a touching, humorous, and honest tribute to a woman who was a pioneer for free-thinking females everywhere, but also stood strongly on her own as one of the 20th century's greatest artistic minds. Edward Albee's Occupant is a testament of will, internal strength, and the cryptic force that continues to drive great artists.

​

REVIEWS:

"Occupant bows its head in awe and gratitude before the mysterious force of will that allows great artists to be...The play touches on themes that echo throughout Mr. Albee's work: the unreliability of memory, the chimerical nature of language and particularly the alchemical brew of truth and illusion" (to borrow a much-used pair of words from Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) by which people define themselves." - The New York Times,

​

"Mr. Albee's expert characterization...practically raises Nevelson from the dead. Mr. Albee paints a riveting portrait. Occupant may be a straightforward valentine, but it's a valentine to an extraordinarily complex and vivid personality." - The New York Sun