Arts

Steel Magnolias at CFRT: “Women together can do powerful things”

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Written by Kathleen Ramsey

The actors of Cape Fear Regional’s upcoming production of Steel Magnolias sit around a wooden table. They laugh and joke and compliment one another. They almost embody parts of the upcoming show. They all have stories that connect them with the storyline of the show they are performing in. For them, this story resonates.  
“I remember when they announced the season and I felt like it speaks to me,” says Danette Holden who plays M’Lynn. “ … M’Lynn is the one that speaks to me the most … She’s a strong-willed mom. She's a very put-together mom in the 80s.” 
Holden laughs and says that she’s basically playing her own mother -- a strong woman, who was raising a daughter in the 1980s. The others join in on the chuckle. They may have had a similar situation. 
“This role is oddly not a stretch for me,” she says. “Some of this is very easy to picture and embody.” 
Steel Magnolias will run from March 27 through April 13 at Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s new location at 1707 Owen Drive. Like Holden, other actors relate to the storyline, perhaps not by way of their own mothers as inspiration but rather the theme of womanhood. And of course, a penchant for fabulous hairdos since the play entirely takes place in Truvy’s hair salon. 
“It’s a really special place for the ladies of the neighborhood,” says Cara Chumbley. Chumbley plays Truvy and feels as though the character is the glue of the show. “Everything is coming into her space … a very iconic character.” 
Besides Holden and Chumbley, theater goers will experience the work of Director Laura Josephner and actress Mari Blake who plays Shelby. This is Blake’s first show at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. She talks about Shelby's journey and is completely enthralled by her story. 
"I remember going to the salon with my mom ... it felt so grown up and I wanted to be a part of it" she says. "The same for Shelby. She wants her independence."
Josphner, at the head of the table, is no stranger to Cape Fear Regional Theatre and has a deep love for Steel Magnolias. The play and 1989 movie, starring Julia Roberts and Sally Fields, were written by the same person, Robert Harling, Josephner says, who took a lot of the story from his own life. Josephner loves that this story about womanhood and feminine strength was written by a man. The others quickly agree. 
“There is a lot of depth. This show really honors that. It’s fascinating it was written by a man,” Chumbley says. “It feels authentic and genuine. It doesn’t feel made up because
it's not.” 

The play version of Steel Magnolias has a cast that only includes women unlike the movie which included male actors. “The film was expanded to include the men in their lives,” Josephner says.  “ … But it's
really a show of the time. It really was a changing point [the 80s]. These were women who grew up and they were housewives. It was just when women were going to work. It was a turning point too for where the women are.” 
During the play, the audience will experience the changes in the women as they come to the hair salon during a period of about two years. The relationships develop and deepen and everyone will join them on their different journeys even if the setting, Truvy's salon, remains the same throughout the entire play. 
“It’s very interesting that really nothing changes,” says Chumbley. “They change so much. The time changes. It’s where you start and where you end.” 
For Marketing Director, Ashley Owen, she is enjoying seeing the actors during their readings. The production, she says, is both timeless and beautiful.  
“It’s a beautiful representation of the positive relationship between women,” Owen leans forward as she speaks. “I didn’t know the true power of friendship between women until my 20s. This story does such a great job showing that women together can really do powerful and amazing things. They are more than pretty hair and make-up and nails.” 
Although the show has a full cast featuring only women and tells the stories of these families through the lens of the women of the household, Chumbley wants to remind audiences that it is not just for women. 
“It can be assumed to be that. The men are a part of it. It’s important for everyone to come see. It’s about relationships.”
The actors say there will be sad moments in the play but plenty of laughter too. The theatre will offer discount nights for military and teachers as well as some fun pre-show activities to include a floral arranging night and a custom hair tinsel night. For more information, visit www.cfrt.org. 
Oh and one more thing, Chumbley closed with, “You might get more from a side seat than even the center. The director has been making sure that it gets in there … Here’s the secret — pick a side seat.” 
As she finishes saying this, Chumbley and the others all break into smiles.

See "The Thing" at 4th Friday Fright Night at the Cameo

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Written by Sheila Barker

On Friday, March 28, at 9:45 p.m., prepare for an unforgettable cinematic experience as 4th Friday Fright Night presents John Carpenter’s legendary sci-fi horror film, The Thing (1982). This one-night-only screening offers fans a chance to witness the film’s masterful suspense, groundbreaking practical effects, and relentless terror as it was meant to be seen on the big screen, in the dark, with an audience.
The Ultimate Paranoia-Fueled Horror
Set in the icy desolation of Antarctica, The Thing follows a team of American researchers who unwittingly uncover an ancient, shape-shifting entity. The creature, capable of perfectly imitating any living being, infiltrates their ranks, turning allies into threats and trust into a dangerous liability. Helicopter pilot R.J. MacReady, played by Kurt Russell, leads the desperate fight for survival as paranoia spreads, alliances crumble, and the team’s reality fractures into nightmarish uncertainty.
From its eerie opening scene to its bleak, ambiguous ending, The Thing is a masterclass in slow-burning tension. Carpenter’s expert direction, combined with Bill Lancaster’s tightly woven script based on John W. Campbell Jr.’s novella Who Goes There? ensures that every moment pulses with dread.
A Cult Classic That Defined a Genre
Upon its initial release, The Thing struggled at the box office, overshadowed by the feel-good optimism of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. However, time has been more than kind to Carpenter’s vision, and the film is now celebrated as one of the greatest horror movies ever made. Its pioneering use of practical effects, designed by the legendary Rob Bottin, remains a benchmark in creature design and body horror. The film’s themes of paranoia, isolation, and identity have made it a timeless piece of cinema that continues to inspire filmmakers and terrify audiences to this day.
Beyond its striking visuals and nerve-wracking tension, The Thing serves as an exploration of human psychology under pressure. The film cleverly avoids traditional horror tropes, offering instead a deeply unsettling experience rooted in distrust and survival instincts. As the characters are stripped of certainty, the audience, too, is left questioning who can be trusted. The film’s infamous blood test scene, a masterclass in suspense, exemplifies how Carpenter manipulates audience expectations, delivering one of the most shocking and memorable moments in horror history.
The Lasting Legacy of The Thing
Decades after its release, The Thing has not only endured but thrived. The film’s ability to maintain relevance and continue scaring new generations speaks volumes about its craftsmanship. It is regularly ranked among the greatest horror films of all time, often praised for its intelligent storytelling and harrowing practical effects that still hold up today.
In an era dominated by CGI, The Thing is a testament to the power of practical effects in horror cinema. The grotesque, ever-mutating creature designs are as horrifying today as they were in 1982, proving that true terror doesn’t age. Whether it’s the spider-head monstrosity, the distorted human abominations, or the iconic final confrontation, every effect remains an example of great nightmarish artistry.
Why The Thing Remains So Terrifying
The fear of losing one’s identity, of being consumed and replaced without anyone noticing, is a primal terror that resonates deeply. The film taps into the fear of isolation, of not knowing who to trust, and the existential dread of being powerless against an unseen force. Carpenter builds this paranoia masterfully, keeping both the characters and the audience on edge until the final, haunting moments.
Additionally, the film’s setting plays a crucial role in its horror. The Antarctic research station is a frozen tomb, cut off from the outside world. The cold, vast emptiness surrounding the characters mirrors their growing sense of hopelessness. There is nowhere to run, no help coming, and no way to be sure who is human. This oppressive atmosphere makes The Thing not just a horror film, but a deeply immersive experience in psychological terror.
The Perfect Film for a Theatrical Experience
There’s no better way to experience The Thing than in a theater, surrounded by fellow horror fans, immersed in its bone-chilling suspense. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or a first-time viewer, this 4th Friday Fright Night screening offers the perfect opportunity to witness Carpenter’s masterpiece in all its terrifying glory.
For horror enthusiasts, this is not just another movie night—it’s an event. Seeing The Thing in a darkened theater amplifies its creeping dread, making every shadow seem alive and every quiet moment unbearably tense. The claustrophobic setting of the research station mirrors the enclosed atmosphere of the theater, drawing audiences deeper into the film’s icy grip.
Don’t Miss The Thing
If you love horror, sci-fi and just movies in general, don’t miss this… March 28, at 9:45 p.m. at the Cameo Art House Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online by visiting https://ticketmesandhills.com/events/the-thing-1982-fourth-friday-fright-night-3-28-2025. The horror, the paranoia, and the spectacle await. Will you be able to tell who’s still human? Or will you, too, fall victim to The Thing?

Local Michael Daughtry releases new album

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Written by Amber Little

Cumberland County is the birthplace, hometown, and current residency of several national and international music stars. From musicians to songwriters to singers and rappers, the talent that has passed through this area is certainly an underutilized bragging point. The vibrancy of the music scene here can be seen in the local businesses, the streets of downtown, the stage in Festival Park, and rolling through downtown on the trolly.
Michael Daughtry is one of Fayetteville’s most active singer/songwriters. He has played shows all over the city and beyond, bringing his original music and contemporary sound to the stage and the billboard charts. With no signs of slowing down, Daughtry announced in January the release of his new single, “Sleep Sound” from his forthcoming EP, Wild Card. The new song and EP are unlike his previous album.
It explores other genres like symphonic pop and classical crossover, while still maintaining his signature sound of heartfelt and dynamic Adult Contemporary music. The single is available for streaming on all digital music platforms and for purchase on Apple Music.
Even though this EP is a little different, Daughtry commented, “It’s very musically rich and diverse, with my trademark sophisticated piano work and my genuine love of what I do mixed in.” He notes that “a thread of hope often weaves throughout the texture of the music.”
A North Carolina native, Daughtry developed a love for music and a keen ear for melodies and wordplay early in life. His earliest memory is of discovering his grandmother's piano at the age of 3, an act that would cement his journey to the Billboard charts. Raised in a small town by a teacher mother and an agricultural entrepreneur father, Daughtry learned early on that hard work, dedication, and knowledge are key to mastering anything.
He attended Berklee College of Music and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Songwriting. As it goes for a lot of children of educators, Daughtry’s first stop in his career was as a music teacher.
This has blossomed into a job that he loves and continues to do in some capacity today by teaching piano, guitar, voice and songwriting. In 2010, Daughtry decided to take his career as a singer/songwriter seriously, releasing his four-song debut EP, recorded right here in Fayetteville at Bright Light Studios. In 2013, he saw his work and dedication pay off, securing some major shows not just in the local area but all up and down the East Coast, from Georgia to Boston.
He’s hit the stage for events like Cooper River Bridge Run, the 3rd largest 10K in the country, and the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, an annual fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. He’s opened for some big names in the industry such as the Blue Man Group and Edwin McCain. In 2023, he was named in Up & Coming Weekly's Best of Fayetteville as Best Solo Artist
Music is undoubtedly a love and passion for Daughtry, but nothing compares to what he considered to be his two most important roles in life, father and husband. A full schedule of shows, events, festivals, and recording sessions is a norm for him now, but he is still dedicated to being a family man.
He can often be seen around the community, family in tow, smile on face and song in heart. A true community gem. For more information about Michael Daughtry's music, booking information, show schedule and song streaming visit his website, https://www.michaeldaughtrymusic.com/.

(Image courtesy of Michael Daughtry)

Celebrate music, education at FSO's Side-by-Side Concert

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is proud to present its annual Side-by-Side Concert with the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra on March 30 at Methodist University's Huff Concert Hall.
This inspiring event showcases the incredible talent of young musicians performing alongside seasoned professionals, creating a unique and enriching experience for all.
The Side-by-Side Concert is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students and music educators in the community. Under the leadership of Music Director Stefan Sanders, students from the FSYO will perform alongside their mentors in the FSO.
This collaboration not only highlights the students' growth but also provides a memorable learning experience as they share the stage with professional musicians.
The FSYO, led by FSYO conductor Daniel McCloud, meets weekly to prepare for this and other performances throughout the school year. These rehearsals, guided by members of the FSO, allow young musicians to tackle challenging and musically fulfilling pieces.
As McCloud notes, "One of the most exciting aspects of co-conducting the youth orchestra is getting to work with some of the most talented youth in our area."
The concert will begin with the FSO performing selections independently, setting the stage for an evening of musical excellence. Following this, the FSYO and FSO will come together for a collaborative performance that promises to inspire and delight audiences of all ages.
This event is more than just a concert, it's a celebration of the power of music education and the incredible potential of young musicians. Don't miss this opportunity to support the arts and witness the magic of mentorship and collaboration in action.
Doors open at 3 p.m. and the performance begins at 4 p.m. at the Huff Concert Hall at Methodist University.
Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. They can be purchased online at https://www.fayettevillesymphony.org/, by calling the FSO office at 910-433-4690, or at the door the day of the concert.
Join the FSO on March 30 to experience the joy and passion of the Side-by-Side Concert. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a supporter of education, or simply looking for an enriching evening out, this event is not to be missed.

(Photo: he Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will be holding their Side-by-Side concert, March 30. This concert brings young musicians together with seasoned professionals in one special evening. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra Facebook page)