The main thrust of Riccio's work is to make an impression--to stir the sleepy hollow of the mind, to awaken society from the reverie into the reality. He comes from the school of total theatre, using every element a the theatre's disposal to make it point. The result, Riccio promises, is a sensual experience achieved through music, language, ideas and gestures. Guaranteed, you won't fall asleep during this one.

The All-Alaska Weekly

While Riccio wants to do things differently, he also realizes that his Fairbanks audiences have to be ushered into his style gradually. It is important to change with the audience rather than to try to force them to change so that they don't reject new things, Riccio said.

But later, while expressing another thought, Riccio said he delves into experimental theatre because he believes the theatre's role is to challenge the audience, to lead, not to follow.

Then again, he also said he believes the theatre is a reflection of society. "Art's the mirror." Riccio admits that the concepts are contradictory, but he doesn't back down from any of his views. They are all true, he said.

The Fairbanks News-Miner

Tom Riccio, an associate professor, is shaping the Fairbanks department in ways that may change the face of theatre in the state. In addition to bringing his own style of theatre to Fairbanks, Riccio is absorbing Alaska and transforming it. As a result, he is working with native Alaskans to produce theatre reflects the culture.

The Anchorage Times