Arts

Chaplin’s "The Great Dictator" returns to the Cameo

Details

Tuesday, 07 October 2025

Written by Adam Taylor

On Saturday, Oct. 11 at 4:30 p.m., the Cameo Art House Theatre will present a rare screening of Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator. More than just a film, Chaplin’s 1940 satirical masterpiece stands as one of cinema’s most daring political statements. It’s a film that made audiences laugh while also forcing them to confront the terrifying realities of dictatorship, hate and war.
When The Great Dictator premiered in 1940, the world was in turmoil. Adolf Hitler had already plunged Europe into chaos and America had yet to join the fight. To take on such a subject in a comedy was audacious, if not outright dangerous. But Chaplin, who had spent decades captivating audiences with his silent era “Tramp” character, understood that laughter could cut sharper than anger. By creating a dual role, playing both Adenoid Hynkel, a ruthless dictator clearly modeled on Hitler and a humble Jewish barber who is his double, Chaplin highlighted the absurdity of tyranny and the humanity of its victims.
The film’s mixture of slapstick and satire is perfect. From Hynkel’s dance with the inflatable globe to the endless speeches filled with nonsensical jargon, Chaplin dismantled the image of the dictator, reducing him to a dangerous clown. Yet for all its comedy, the film is anchored by one of the most moving moments in cinema history: Chaplin’s final speech, in which the barber, mistaken for Hynkel, delivers an impassioned plea for kindness, democracy and peace. It is a speech that continues to echo across generations, often shared anew in times of global uncertainty.
For the Cameo Art House Theatre, presenting The Great Dictator is more than just programming; it is a celebration of cinema’s ability to endure and inspire. Independent theaters like the Cameo have long been champions of films that remind us why we go to the movies in the first place: not only to be entertained, but also to think, feel and see the world in new ways.
This screening is particularly special to me on a personal level. Years ago, I had the rare opportunity to hold an original 35mm print of The Great Dictator when the Cameo showed the film. As someone who has spent much of his life surrounded by movies, both in classrooms and theaters, that moment was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The film reels were heavy, encased in their metal canisters, the kind only seen in projection booths or archives. This film reel happened to be the only traveling print in the US, so gloves and extra precautions were necessary.
That encounter deepened my appreciation for Chaplin’s artistry and for the medium of film as a whole. We often forget, in the age of digital streaming, that movies were once fragile, physical things. They traveled from theater to theater, city to city, carried by projectionists and handled with care. To hold The Great Dictator in its original 35mm form was to connect not only with Chaplin, but also with everyone who had ever sat in a darkened room and watched that same piece of film flicker to life.
And now, with the Cameo’s screening, audiences will have their own chance to share in that magic. While the version on screen may not be the very same reel I once touched since the Cameo (and most theaters) is now all digital, the experience of gathering together, of seeing Chaplin’s work projected larger than life, is what truly matters.
It’s important, too, to remember that The Great Dictator was a deeply personal project for Chaplin. He financed it himself, pouring in thousands at a time when the outcome was uncertain. He risked alienating audiences who preferred his silent-era Tramp, and he risked angering governments and political leaders who saw his satire as dangerous. But Chaplin pressed forward, declaring later that had he known the full extent of Nazi atrocities, he might never have dared to make it. That tension between comedy and tragedy is what gives the film its timeless edge.
Watching it today, one can’t help but marvel at its relevance. Chaplin’s lampooning of authoritarianism, his warning about hatred, and his ultimate appeal for empathy speak just as powerfully in 2025 as they did in 1940. Perhaps that is why screenings like this one at the Cameo are so vital. They remind us that art does not fade; it continues to speak, provided we are willing to listen.
So on Oct. 11, as the lights dim and Chaplin appears once more, audiences will witness more than just a film. They will be part of a tradition that stretches back 85 years. For me, the memory of holding that 35mm print will linger as the projector whirs to life. And for everyone else who attends, perhaps there will be a moment or a line, a gesture, a laugh that connects them across time to Chaplin, to the past and to the enduring power of cinema.
Tickets for the screening are available now at the Cameo box office and online.

Fayetteville’s Season of Monsters: "Frankenstein"

Details

Tuesday, 07 October 2025

Written by Adam Taylor

This October, Fayetteville is about to become the beating heart of gothic horror. With stage performances, a groundbreaking new film and a return to the very origins of cinematic horror, audiences will have three distinct opportunities to step into Mary Shelley’s world of Frankenstein.
The season begins with live theatre. On Oct. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and again on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m., the Capitol Encore Academy’s high school theatre company, New Fire Theatre Company will present a gothic double bill: Frankenstein and Dracula at 200 Mason Street.
Known for its fearless approach to classic texts and fun, New Fire has chosen two of the most iconic horror tales ever written and will bring them to life with the immediacy only live performance can deliver. The audience will sit mere feet away as Victor Frankenstein dares to play God and as Count Dracula prowls in the shadows.
Pairing Frankenstein with Dracula highlights the extraordinary breadth of 19th-century gothic imagination. Mary Shelley’s novel, published in 1818, wrestled with questions of science, morality and loneliness. Frankenstein will be presented more on the dramatic side of storytelling. Bram Stoker’s Dracula, published in 1897, terrified readers with its mix of sensuality, but New Fire presents this production as comedic parody. Seeing the two back-to-back in one evening (or afternoon) promises a visceral, spine-tingling and hilarious experience. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.
Then, just two weeks later, Frankenstein rises again with in the hands of Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. The Cameo Art House Theatre will open the director’s long-awaited adaptation on October 24th.
Del Toro has described Shelley’s novel as one of his life’s touchstones and his new film is already being hailed as one of his most ambitious works. Starring Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Mia Goth as Elizabeth, and Jacob Elordi as the Creature, the movie is a 2-hour-and-29-minute descent into obsession, beauty and tragedy.
Unlike many past adaptations, del Toro’s film leans heavily into the novel’s emotional core. The Creature is not merely a monster but a tragic being, desperate for connection yet cast aside by his maker. In del Toro’s hands, expect lavish gothic imagery, aching humanity and the kind of haunting visuals that have defined his career.
As if a new blockbuster weren’t enough, the Cameo is also offering a chance to revisit the classic that defined horror cinema for generations. On Friday, Oct. 24 at 9:30 p.m., as part of the monthly Fourth Friday Fright Night, the theater will screen Frankenstein (1931), directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff.
This is the Frankenstein that set the template for nearly every horror film that followed. With Colin Clive as the tormented Dr. Henry Frankenstein and Karloff in his legendary turn as the Monster, the film captures both the terror and the pathos of Shelley’s tale. At just over an hour long, it remains eerie and remarkably powerful nearly a century after its release.
Audiences will once again watch as Frankenstein, aided by his hunchbacked assistant Fritz, assembles his Creature from stolen body parts and dares to bring it to life. The moment when Clive shouts, “It’s alive!” remains one of the most electrifying.
Seeing the film on the big screen is a rare opportunity to appreciate its groundbreaking makeup and Karloff’s unforgettable performance. It also provides the perfect counterpoint to del Toro’s new film: one shows us where the legend began, the other where it might go next.
Fayetteville has a history of telling the story of Frankenstein including live performances by Gilbert Theater’s Young Frankenstein and Yellow Beanie’s Frankenstein. Both productions were groundbreaking hits. So, if you missed them or just enjoy the story told in new ways, check them out this year. It’s a rare chance to see how legends are born, reborn and reimagined, right here in our own community.

Embrace Spooky Season with Dirtbag Ales, FSO

Details

Tuesday, 07 October 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra invites the community to embrace the spooky season with a cinematic classic like no other.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8 p.m., Dirtbag Ales, located at 5435 Corporation Dr. in Hope Mills, will transform into a stage for music, film, and Halloween spirit during Nosferatu Movie Night. Admission is free, making it the perfect way for families, friends, and film lovers to enjoy a festive night under the stars.
This unique event pairs the eerie brilliance of the 1922 silent horror masterpiece Nosferatu with a live performance from a small ensemble of Fayetteville Symphony musicians. With music specially arranged by Peter B. Kay, the orchestra will heighten the film’s suspense and atmosphere, turning every shadow, glance, and gesture into a haunting experience.
Directed by F.W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck in his chilling role as Count Orlok, Nosferatu remains one of the most iconic horror films of all time. Though more than a century old, the German Expressionist classic continues to captivate audiences with its haunting imagery and innovative cinematography by Fritz Arno Wagner and Günther Krampf. Known as the earliest surviving adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Nosferatu has influenced countless vampire films and remains a cornerstone
of horror cinema.
The Fayetteville Symphony’s live performance adds an immersive dimension that honors the traditions of the silent film era, when live musicians often accompanied movies. With each note, the ensemble breathes new life into Murnau’s terrifying vision, making the experience both timeless and immediate.
Dirtbag Ales provides the perfect backdrop for this community gathering, offering an open, welcoming atmosphere where guests can relax with food, drinks, and the company of fellow movie enthusiasts. The outdoor setting enhances the event’s Halloween feel, making it an ideal way to kick off the spooky season.
Nosferatu Movie Night is more than just a film screening—it’s a celebration of art, history, and community. Lovers of horror movies, fans of live music, and those simply searching for a unique seasonal outing, will find this free event promises chills, thrills, and unforgettable memories.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and join the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra on Oct. 25 for a night where music and film meet in haunting harmony.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

CFRT brings "Little Shop of Horrors" to life

Details

Tuesday, 07 October 2025

Written by Katie Herring

Cape Fear Regional Theatre is heading downtown, down to Skid Row. No, they aren’t moving to a new location-they are still holding court at 1707 Owen Drive as their home building on Hay Street is undergoing extensive renovations. They are taking us to Mushnik’s Flower Shop in the cult favorite musical, Little Shop of Horrors. From Oct. 23 through Nov. 16, make your way to the theatre to experience the thrilling tale of the alien, man-eating plant, and a love story that blooms in an unlikely place.
This production features a phenomenally talented cast of familiar faces and new friends. Deon Releford-Lee stars as Seymour Krelborn, the orphan whose love of strange plants gets him in some sticky situations. Releford-Lee got his start on the Cape Fear Regional stage in the 2014 production of Return to the Forbidden Planet. Since then, he has done theatre all over the world, including on Broadway as the understudy for Ike in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. He says that “coming here [to CFRT] feels like a homecoming.”
Seymour has three significant relationships in the play: with the cranky yet lovable Mr. Mushnik; with his co-worker and not-so-secret crush, Audrey; and with the mysterious plant that appears after a “total eclipse of the sun” that he affectionately names Audrey II.
It is clear that Seymour has had a tough life; Mr. Mushnik found him in an orphanage and isn’t exactly the most ideal example of what a loving father should be. But, according to Marc de la Concha, CFRT’s Education Director and frequent stage presence, Mushnik clearly has a soft spot for both his employees, Audrey and Seymour. He has given Seymour a home and a purpose and a sense of what a family might be like.
Audrey (the human one) is more than just an object of Seymour’s fancy. He looks out for her; he wants her to be safe and happy. He has fallen in love with her, but is also inspired by her. In Audrey, Seymour sees what life could be beyond Skid Row. She is a shop assistant alongside Seymour, and Mr. Mushnik has a soft spot for her as well. Plagued by a string of bad relationships, Audrey finds herself attached to an abusive boyfriend, a dentist who loves nothing more than to inflict pain. The story of Seymour and Audrey’s blossoming love is the tender center point of an otherwise darkly hilarious tale.
Then there is Audrey II. Very different in every way from its namesake, Audrey II is the villain we all love to hate and hate to love. Traditionally, the plant is represented by puppets of varying sizes, indicating how it grows throughout the show; the final version is massive. CFRT’s iteration of Audrey II will be different from what has been seen in past productions on film and onstage. Director Mary Kate Burke didn’t give any more details so as not to ruin the surprise. But there is no doubt that the Audrey II we will encounter in this production will be hilariously manipulative, nasty, but oh-so-entertaining.
Another feature of CFRT’s production that audiences will love is the choreography by Tyce Diorio. Returning to CFRT for his fourth project, Diorio is as accomplished as he is talented. His stellar career kicked off by touring with Janet Jackson and appearing in several of her videos and projects. He has also worked as a dancer and choreographer with the likes of Taylor Swift and Brandon Urie. Burke states that she loves working with Tyce because he is “kind and discerning while being exacting at the same time. He could do other things, but he loves it here so much; he makes the time to come from LA to Fayetteville to tell really incredible stories.”
The talented people are reason enough to make plans to see Little Shop of Horrors at CFRT, but the stage will do some heavy lifting in this show as well. Burke shares the space at 1707 Owen Drive is really well-suited for this show in particular. Having the whole audience so close to the stage provides a unique vantage point and will feel almost immersive. The proximity of the audience to the stage allows the director to incorporate some elements into Little Shop that will lend to its horror-movie aesthetic, not in a way that is truly scary, but in a way that intensifies its thrilling elements. No specific details are provided, as there will be lots of surprises in store. Even if you have seen Little Shop of Horrors recently, this production promises to be unique. To quote Burke, “it’s not your mama’s Little Shop!”
The timing of the production is intentional as well, with the show running right in the middle of the spooky season. While the show certainly has horror-movie elements — human-eating monster, a sadistic dentist, need we say more? — it is also full of funny moments, high-energy music, and campy nostalgia.
The theatre is offering a special discount for certain seats at this performance. The theatre’s temporary home in a former ballroom is arranged in a less traditional way, referred to as a thrust stage. In a thrust, the audience is arranged on three sides of the stage, instead of all on one side as is CFRT’s home stage. This arrangement provides great, unique perspectives of the action onstage. In an effort to help those who are less familiar with this arrangement appreciate its benefits, CFRT is offering those seats at a discount. Fear not, though; you are still guaranteed a great experience, whether you sit to the side or at the center of the audience.
As always, CFRT works to make theatre accessible to as many people as possible. The schedule includes Military and Educator Appreciation nights (Oct. 29 and Oct. 31, respectively), with a 25% discount for those who apply. Discounts are offered for military, educators, students, and seniors at every performance. Tickets can be purchased at cfrt.org or by calling the box office at 910-323-4233. Don’t wait, though; tickets for this show are selling fast!

(Top Photo: Emily Norah Samuelson plays Audrey in the upcoming Cape Fear Regional Theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Bottom Photo: Jasmyne Simpkins, who plays the character Ronnette, practices during a table read for Little Shop of Horrors. Photos courtesy of Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s Facebook page)