The University of Lynchburg’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society will present “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, through Saturday, April 19, in Dillard Studio Theatre, located on the lower level of Dillard Fine Arts Center.
Pay-what-you-can admission will be accepted at the door, and the public is invited.
The play, written by Italian playwright Dario Fo, is directed by Nico Thomas ’25, president of Lynchburg’s Alpha Phi Omega chapter. Thomas, a theatre major from Concord, Virginia, describes it as a “political farce … that satirizes police corruption and government cover-ups.
“The play is based on real events surrounding the mysterious 1969 death of an Italian anarchist who ‘fell’ from a police station window. The plot follows a brilliant but chaotic Maniac, who infiltrates the police department, exposing its lies with absurd disguises, rapid-fire wit, and theatrical chaos.”
Thomas has appeared in numerous theater productions over his four years at Lynchburg, including, among others, “Urinetown: The Musical,” “Clue,” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
He is a member of Curtain Call, Lynchburg’s musical theater ensemble, and its dance troupe, Dance Works. Thomas also starred in the University’s 2023 Wes Anderson-style holiday film, “The Grand Hopwood Hall.”
Thomas said the members of Alpha Psi Omega chose to produce “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” because of its “humor, political themes, and opportunity for dynamic performances.”
The cast includes Lucas Arguello ’28 as The Maniac and Judge Randall, Kai Gutierrez-Wood ’28 as Superintendent Curry, Samira Gharavi-Nouri ’26 as Inspector Burton, Lorelei “Lo” Mayberry ’28 as PC Jackson and PI Phelan, Mytro Riley ’26 as Detective Dan Daisy, and Jacob Jones ’25 as PC Joseph.
“The group meets in March to decide on a title and director and holds open auditions for the campus community,” Jeff Wittman, theatre department chair, said.
“They then rehearse, build sets, hang lights, and do everything else to present the play. This enables students to discover their own voice and oversee the production entirely on their own.”
For more information about “Accidental Death of an Anarchist,” email Thomas at [email protected].
