For Hispanic aliens caught illegally entering the United States at the end of a desperate and treacherous journey north, their fate, future, and quite possibly their very lives may depend upon how they answer two words: "De donde?"; "where you from?" Mexican nationals are often simply escorted back over the border to try their luck again another day. But the "OTM"s, the "Other Than Mexicans" fleeing the political oppression of their Central American homelands, are incarcerated in INS "processing centers" for closer scrutiny. Here they often languish indefinitely in harsh prison-like conditions, victims of a bloated American bureaucracy choking on its own arrogant incompetence.

This is the world of "De Donde", playwright Mary Gallagher’s earnest but too-ambitious, too-wordy, and finally, just too-damn-long exposé of human-rights violations right here in the good ol’ land of the free. It is to director Andy Griggs’ great credit that he and his poised young cast manage to sustain Gallagher’s nearly three-hour smorgasbord of good intentions as long as they do, giving depth and shading to what is often little more than a repetitive tract-like polemic of noble immigrants vs. the evil "la migra".

Outstanding among the superb acting ensemble are Raul Garcia as the young Salvadoran freedom fighter fleeing a government out to "disappear" him, and Kimberly Aguilar, whose initial mute terror upon capture by the Border Patrol blossoms into tentative hope in the strange new world of El Norte. Sean Segel offers an impressive turn as a sadistic INS guard who obviously enjoys bouncing detainees off Franny Smith’s inventively flexible set. Jamieson Price choreographs the frequent physical violence with assurance and style.

Cal Rep Theatre at CSULB, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, 562.985.7000. Tues. & Wed., 6pm, Thurs.-Sat., 8pm; 2pm matinees on most weekends. Thru Nov. 14. $12-$15.

t2k