Section A ยท Page 8 The University Daily Kansan --- Friday, October 30, 1998 Political system plays role in theater production By Mariana Paiva Kansan staff writer Students presented the fine line between truth and lies in the political system last night as they opened the new University Theatre show. "An Accidental Death of an Anarchist." The play, written by Dario Fo, the winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Literature, will run for two weeks in Murphy Hall's Inge Theater. John Gronbeck-Tedesco, director of the comedy and chairman of the theater department, said Fo wrote the story based on a real accident that happened in Italy in 1969. It tells the story of a railroad worker accused of terrorist activities who "fell" from the window of a police station. "The story shows what happened after the anarchist was killed," he said. "This play tells the story of the police investigation and the various deviations and attempts to cover up his death." Josh Brown, Manhattan senior, plays the main character, the Fool. Supposedly insane, the Fool is the only one who reveals the truth He infiltrates the police station and pretends to be a judge who reopens the accident case. The Fool spends a good part of the play playing a psychological game with the characters. When the police officers are pressured, they tell several different stories about the anarchist's death, including the truth. about the anarchist's death. Gronbeck-Tedesco said he chose this play because it commented on many aspects that also were happening in the United States. "The play deals with problems with authority, issues of violence UNIVERSITY THEATRE What: "An Accidental Death of an Anarchist," a comedy about truth and lies in the political system When: 8 tonight, Saturday, Sun on the part of those in power and some remarks upon the way the political system relies on institution violence in various forms," he said. day and Nov. 3-Nov.7 Where: Murphy Hall's Inge Theater ter Tickets: $4 for students, $8 for the Tickets: $4 for students, $8 for the public and $7 for senior citizens Brian Ireland, Lawrence senior. designed the scenes and lighting for the play. One of his ideas included projecting different slides in the same window as the anarchist "fell" to help the audience understand the duality of the play. "The slides are less controlled than the acts on the play," Ireland said. "They help to remind people that those images outside are in everyday life." He said that the images showed such things as incidents of labor unrest that occurred in the United States and graphic depictions of police brutality. The show will be performed at 8 p.m. tonight, Saturday, Sunday and Nov. 3. Nov. 7 in the Inge Theater. Lied Center show to toast Patsy Cline General admission tickets for the play are on sale in the KU box offices and cost $4 for students. They are $8 for the public and $7 for senior citizens. Singer Goil Bliss portrays country music legend Patsy Cline in the Lied production "Patsy." The tribute features 22 of Cline's songs, performed by a live band that includes a member of the singer's original supporting band.Contributed photo. By Augustus Anthony Piazza Kansan staff writer A country music legend will be brought to life tonight at the Lied Center. "Patsy," a musical tribute to singer Patsy Cline, will begin at 8 tonight. The production will feature 22 live renditions of Cline's most well-known songs, including Crazy, I Fall to Pieces and Sweet Dreams. Singer Gail Bliss, who studied with one of Cline's former vocal coaches, portrays Cline in the production. "Gail Bliss sounds like Patsy Cline," said Jacqueline Davis, director of the Lied Center. Davis was the person responsible for bringing the show to Lawrence. She thought it would be a good idea to bring the show to Lawrence after seeing a preliminary production of the performance in Kansas City, Mo., and another production about Cline in Tennessee. Davis said she also gained an interest in Patsy Cline from her daughter, who has performed the singer's music in Tennessee. A six-piece live band, which will include one member of Cline's original band, also will be part of the production. "Patsy" premiered in 1995 in Branson, Mo., and played for 27 weeks at PATSY What: A musical tribute to country music legend Patsy Cline that will feature 22 of the singer's songs, including Crazy, I Fall to Pieces and Sweet Dreams. Who: A singer and a six-piece live band, which will include one member of Cline's original band. When: 8 tonight Where: Lied Center Tickets: $15 to $17.50 for students, $30 to $35 for the public and $29 to $34 for senior citizens. the Grand Palace. It was voted Best New Show of 1995 and was seen by more than 250,000 people. Cline, who died in a plane crash in 1963 at the age of 30, still attracts fans among the students and faculty at the University of Kansas, Davis said. "I like her singing," said Simon Carrington, director of choral activities. "She had a very unusual singing voice." He said he thought Cline's voice was rich and expressive. Davis said it would be a walk down memory lane for many fans tonight. "It will be very tempting to sing along will Gail Bliss," Davis said. More entertainment More entertainment For entertainment reviews See page 6B Ropin' the wind Silas Hoover, Topeka senior, spins a lasso in front of Wescoe Hall. He performed rope tricks yesterday afternoon to promote the University Theatre's presentation of the musical "Oklahoma," which will be performed Nov. 13-21. Photo by Matt J. Daugherty/KANSAN Sponsored by The Kansas and Burge Unions: Student Union Activities, KU Bookstores, Union Technology Center, Union Food Services, Info/Candy Counter, Jaybowl, Wescoe Terrace, Visual Arts & Murphy Hall Snack Bars.