Taking Over displays a brilliant mastery of the theater in a way that is new and fresh, almost raw, as Danny Hoch tackles not only a challenging and controversial subject, but also a unique form of theater. Taking Over is not just about the gentrification of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, it’s about the effects of gentrification, which go deeper than an influx of pricey restaurants to touch on what it means to call a place home.

But whose home is it? From the black woman who has come to feel out of place in her community, to the Jewish city official who welcomes growth, there are many different perspectives. And yet, Taking Over is a one man show: the varying perspectives are presented through monologues, performed and written by Danny Hoch. The characters embodied by these monologues refer to one another and to aspects of the neighborhood, creating a tangible community and a unified show.

As each monologue draws to an end, the lights will fade and music will play, while projected images slide over the set. Hoch will unhook an article of clothing that has descended from the ceiling, and before you will be yet another, completely different character, fully formed and in his (or her) element. Hoch defies all boundaries as he portrays characters who are male, female, Puerto Rican, French, lower-class, upper-class, and many more. Some of Hoch’s characters will probably be familiar to the audience, while others are stepping into the limelight for the first time – such as the Spanish-speaking cab dispatcher, who New Yorkers are accustomed to hearing, but not seeing. Hoch takes these characters, the people of Williamsburg, and gives them a chance to share their opinions, voices, and history.

Hoch even plays himself in one monologue, adding his own distinctive voice to the many perspectives of the show. By the end of the evening, you feel as if you know Hoch. Not only have you been privy to his personal history (and even his romantic relationships), Hoch has invested himself completely in the show, delivering a mind-blowing performance in which he reaches into the soul of each character and brings him or her to life. These transformations are effected in part by Hoch’s mastery of the physicality and vocal quality of his characters. Hoch fills the stage with his physical presence, even providing comic relief as he strikes tai-chi poses.

Hoch’s different vocal mannerisms play on well known stereotypes, making each character recognizable in an instant. For example, as soon as you hear that first drawn out “Oh I knooooow..”. you see an unmistakably blond teenage girl. However, while Hoch may start with stereotypes, he doesn’t end there. Hoch takes the mask of a stereotype and adds specific features to its face, creating a character rich in emotion and individuality, with his or her own history and place in the community. These characters might have been stereotypical, were it not for the brilliantly crafted script, which delves below the surface, allowing the audience to connect with the characters as people.

Although the set is sparse, Hoch creates a world on stage where his characters exist so believably that their environment and the people with whom they interact seem to come to life. Taking Over liberates the audience’s imagination, allowing them to experience this world as Hoch creates it, and leading them to look inward in search of answers to the complex questions that Hoch’s many characters pose.