Dim lights, quiet whispers and simmering excitement filled the air as the audience waited for the curtains to fall and the show to begin in the Black Box Theatre.
This was the setting for roughly 40 attendees who gathered to witness NIU’s School of Theatre and Dance bring “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” to life.
Directed by Alexander Gelman, a distinguished professor and head of performance for the Master of Fine Arts acting program, the production delivered a mix of comedy, chaos and political critique that felt equal parts timely and timeless.
Originally written by Italian playwright Dario Fo and translated by Ed Emery, “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” draws its inspiration from the death of Italian anarchist Giuseppe Pinelli, who mysteriously fell from a Milan police station window in 1969.
Fo’s work channels outrage into satire, transforming tragedy into farce as it skewers corruption, cover-ups and the absurdities of power through the lens of a fictional character dubbed “Maniac” that uncovers the ridiculous narrative one piece at a time.
Senior acting student Ryn Aston gives a high-powered and energetic performance, bringing this character to life with gusto and highlighting their acting skills.
Furthermore, Gelman’s direction balanced these tones wonderfully, ensuring the humor never fully eclipses the underlying political commentary. Beneath the laughter lies an uncomfortable truth — one that rings especially true in today’s social and political climate.
Gelman felt the performance was testament to the foundations of acting.
“One of the tenets of acting, living truly in fully imaginary circumstances, which means you start with you, and then the imaginary circumstances change things,” Gelman said.
Another key trait of the performance is its location. One of the defining features of the Black Box Theatre is its intimacy. With the audience seated almost within arm’s reach of the performers, the space blurs the line between observer and participant.
The actors really used this to their advantage by getting up close to the audience and directly engaging with them. The echoing laughter and high energy of the cast really helped to add to the immersion of the performance.
The costumes also stood out as visual storytelling elements in their own right. Each outfit felt like a good mix of authenticity, like what an Italian police inspector might wear, but with their own unique flair, such as a suit jacket that is too long or fun hats.
Natalie Olson-Shank, who played the inspector in the sports jacket and constable, commanded attention with her tan police ensemble — knee-high boots, pristine black gloves and a tailored jacket that swept elegantly across the floor. The design added both authority and flair to her phenomenal performance.
Similarly, Nick Ivanoff, who played the superintendent, was striking in his navy blue uniform adorned with polished medals, evoking the pomp and ego of bureaucratic power with tongue-in-cheek precision.
The line delivery from the characters really helped set the tone from the performance, and, while it was mostly scripted, the director did allow the actors to improvise a few lines.
“98% of what you heard was on the page. And the hope is that you should never know which is which,” Gelman said.
While the performances were consistently energetic and full of commitment, the pacing occasionally leaned into lagging moments.
A few scenes lingered longer than needed, stretching the comedic tension rather than tightening it. Yet, these indulgences did little to dull the overall impact — if anything, they amplified the play’s spirit of controlled chaos.
For those who missed opening weekend, the production will continue this week with an alternate cast, offering audiences another opportunity to experience the play’s biting wit and unique, bold performances.
Some actors will be in both casts but in different roles, a challenging but rewarding prospect for some of the actors. This includes Olson-Shan, Aston and Skylee Pierce, who plays the journalist in both casts.
“One thing I do want to say is that working with a double cast, I have different relationships with each person. My relationship with the maniac in this cast is completely different from my relationship with the superintendent, it’s so different, and it’s crazy, because I am still me,” Aston said.
Other cast members said it was a bit of a shuffle in their head but was easier once on stage doing the performance.
“When we’re actively on stage, for me, my prep that I use specifically for (that character). So, I’m getting into the mindset, I’m not really bouncing between,” Olson-Shank said.
In the end, “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” reminds us that laughter can be a weapon — one capable of cutting through deception and revealing humanity, and hypocrisy, beneath the surface.
The next show is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are available online and are required. Current NIU students may attend for free with a reservation while general admission is $20. Senior citizens and NIU staff can attend for $18, while non‑NIU students can purchase tickets for $12.
