DIBS was granted a unique opportunity to chat with Ex-Dictator, now lounge Singer Carlo Supremo about rumors on his recent trips to Washington. What makes a tremendous leader, his approach to politics, and a whole lot more in this interview where he gives the game away.
Hi Carlo, thank you for taking the time to chat with DIBS. Should I refer to you as Carlo? Mr. Carlo? General Carlo? How would you like people to address you? How do people usually address you?
Look… I’m a man of the people. Humble guy. I’m not some big city elite. Started out just a poor boy who tooka some chances, rolled the dice, staked a claim. Ok? I’ma somebody you can relax with. No need to be nervous. All these rumors that people disappear justa because they insult me, or say bad things about me… you know it’s really exaggerate. So just relax and enjoy life. Friends call me Carlo. Generalissimo Supremo it’sa so formal. Call me this, call me that… justa don’t call me late for dinner, or you’ll never be heard from again! Haha! It’s joke. It’s funny because it’s true. But relax. I’m kidding, of course. But bad things do happen to people.
From what I understand, dictators do not call themselves a “dictator” because it is a term assigned to certain rulers by other nations particularly the developed nations of the West with thriving economics but you refer to yourself as one, why is that?
What can I say. Haters gonna hate. This word---he doesn’t bother me. “Dictator?” “Despot?” “Tyrant?” I say OWN IT. It’s not your word. It’s a my word. You can’t hurt me with this word. To be dictator its important. Be proud: DICTATOR PROUD. I like this words. Some of my favorite people are dictators.
I have read that you have recently come out of retirement, or is it that “your people” are trying to get you out of retirement? Either way, could you talk about that.
Look I don’t need power. I am happy to relax by the pool, maybe sipa some Campari, Campari soda, negroni, eat some nice food, have a quality time with friends. I don’t need the spotlight. I don’ta have nothing to prove…. Like this. But there are things I can offer… experiences I have that maybe you think are valuable. That maybe can benefit the people… and so I get a lot of requests to help. People come see me, ask questions, I give little bit advice, take care of some problems, do what needs to be done, call a guy, help a guy, do a favor, make a new friend…. Like this.
So are you trying to be a running mate or actually run for President?
What can I tell you? I have no intention, no desire to do it… but it’s whatever people want. I’m easy going relaxed guy. I don’t need to be the top guy. You know I’ve been there, done that, I don’t need it. And you know I’ma happy now to just help out, whatever you need… help from the side, give-a some coaching maybe to a younger guys, the up-and-comers. Give them a chance to shine. And you know the guy at the top he a lot of time gets the poison in the wine, or the snake in the mailbox, or the push out of helicopter, or the bullet in the head, and—and this is metaphor, of course, but really I have done all these things myself, so I know it happens. And then the guy who is NOT at the top is still alive and now he is in charge. So for me, it’s not matter. This is the thing: I’ma like big boss. I can’t help it. I’ma gonna be the boss whether you like it or not. You can call it whatever you want. I’m easy going guy. You know, but dictators gonna dictate.
I read in the Society’s Mirror that you are getting quite close to President Trump and there are rumors that you might be his new running mate. Could you describe your relationship with the President? How long have you known him? And why would you two make a good team?
Well, this what you call “newspaper“ is really always print lies and tell the stories and they just want to sell the papers and say what they want and mostly fake news. To be honest it’s all fake news. It’s all just make up the story. But, yeah, the Donald he ask me some questions from time to time and maybe have a Campari or Campari soda, negroni—maybe he have Campari diet coke pepsi, maybe take a dip in the pool, or play some holes of golf, or go dancing together, a night out-- like this. Maybe have some laughs, some good times, but we keep it casual, you know no complicated just relaxed have a good time. He look up to me I think you know I’ma like a tough guy, strong guy and I think he like that in a man. Maybe he’s not been entirely satisfied with his other partner, and he just ask a lot of questions, testa the waters, take little dip in the pool, you know like this. But yeah it’s a pretty good team I think. Because he don’ta like to take lot of time think about stuff, or make decisions… but he love the lifestyle, and he’sa great with people, the wave at the people, he love saying the slogans, he connect, he have a good time. And that’s the important thing. You gotta love what you do. So I think it’s a good partnership like that.
Why do you think the people could benefit from a leader like you? What will you bring, do, promise that other candidates have not?
Well, I don’ta like to talk smack about the other guys. You know, their all trying to do a good job for the people. I know you try to get me to say something for like a good sound bite with tear them down and say bad things, but I’ma run a clean fight here. It’s a gentleman’s game and we not gonna tear each other down for your special DIBS show. So I’m not gonna say something like… they don’t got the balls for the job, or… compared to me they are like little children… or those guys couldn’t throw coup if I parked tanks in the rose garden for them… No. You’ll never hear me say this sort of things. It’s a clean fight. I’ma follow the rules, nothing sneaky, no pay nobody off or threaten nobody, or rig election. But you know when the dust clears, your gonna want to be the right side. That’s important to consider. Because afterwards, you know… you blow the whistle, you stir things up, you think you’re not gonna get punished? This is how dictator works. You move against me, you better take me down. Because if I’ma still standing, it’sa not gonna be good for you. And that’s not a threat. I’m not gonna intimidate nobody. It’s just a fact that some people afterwards will be out of job, be ruined, be embarrassed by sensitive information that gets leaked, maybe some unfortunate accidents happen. But this a metaphor.
How do we know that you know enough to not just accept what your advisors tell you?
Listen to me. I’m a smart guy. I know things. I know a lot of things that you would not believe if I told you. Sometimes I say things and people cannot believe them. And that is just one example. And I have many more. And many things you hear are not true. And those are the things you have to listen to the most carefully. And really hear them. If you listen then you’ll hear it. And you’ll know. Sometimes you hear some guy say “I’m smart enough to know what I don’t know.” You’ll never hear me say that. I’m smarter than that. I’m smart enough to KNOW what I know. That’s what the people get with Carlo.
How do you decide whom to trust? How does someone earn your trust?
Trust. Phew. It’sa so important. It’s a like my old friend Jefe Pable would say—it’s a special saying in his language—"muy importante.” He would say that. And I’d say “si.” But the “si” from his language. And he would nod, and say “si.” But the “si” in MY language. And we trusted each other. I trusted him. We spoke language. Together. And trust has a brother. And the brother’s name is loyalty. And the two live side by side. My old friend Jefe Pable was like a brother. And I trusted him. You see? And he shot me. With my own pistol.
Name 3 qualities that make a “tremendous” leader?
Strength. Strongness. To be strong, is one, for sure.
Tremendousness. To be the biggest, most tremendous of all. And to do that strongly.
And I’ma gonna say… hmmm… for the third one? It’s difficult only for three, I have a lot of qualities in my head, but it’s just hard to pick only the three. There are a lot. And I know them.
We’ll I’ma gonna go with the mustache. The mustache is important.
What are the most important principles you’d follow in governing and leading your team?
Well, I don’t have a lot of principles. I don’t use that. I think… because its not really about the team. Like that. There’s no “I” in team. (You have heard this?) And I don’t “follow.” A leader doesn’t “follow.” He leads. A follower follows. That is not me.
What could cause you to fail as a leader?
No. I do not accept the premise of your question.
What is your negotiating style/approach/philosophy?
Oh, what a great question, DIBS. Well, I’d say… I’m direct. I’m honest. Clear communicator. Straight shooter—(laughs)—well these days I have other people to do the shooting, so I don’t know—but I used to be very straight shooter, especially up close. But negotiating? Yeah, you could say maybe “my way or the highway” is a kind of philosophy. You know how the old song goes: “Some people call it torture; You can call it what you will; All the folks who criticize me; Overdose on sleeping pills.” It’s just a funny song… but it gets at deeper truth. That’sa the thing about art, right?
How do you keep voters engaged?
Well, I tell them what they want to hear, and they love me. It’sa pretty simple. Or maybe there is some problem, and they need someone to blame which is very natural, and I give them someone to blame. Because there are lots of bad, scary people in the world, and they are coming to get you. Again, simple. People don’t know the world, but I tell them. The world is very dangerous, and I’ma keepa the people safe. Without me they are lost.
How do you relax or recharge?
I take a walk, maybe ride my bike. Exercise is good. Sing in the shower. Sometimes I like to try on different outfits and uniforms and just stand in front of a mirror—I have a very nice full-length mirror. You know, try make faces, see what looks intimidating, or strong. And I have a little journal I keep. Make notes about certain poses, expressions. You know I say “That’s a keeper! That guy looks so scary, but also a little bit sexy!” It’s fun. It’s relax me.
Is there any sort of literature pieces that inspires you or has inspired you?
That has…? Well I love books, of course. I read. A lot. It’s important. There are so many… literatures… that inspire… Excuse me—I just need to take this…
Who do you look up to?
Oh, there are so many guys. You know, “The Greats.” …Alexander the great… Peter the great… All the greats, I like… and I also have to say I really admire the one-name guys: Charlemagne, Xerxes—you don’t hear people say “Xerxes who?” You know? Even someone like Bono. And he has terrific taste in shades. I think he could go all the way if you wanted to.
If you could pick a song that represents, you what would that be?
My gosh, that’s a really tough one! Because I’m a music lover. But… maybe it’s the name—Carlos—but I do love Santana. So maybe “Evil Ways?” or “Black Magic Woman?” Right? “Don’t turn your back on me, baby…” that’s when bad things happen! Seriously, you probably shouldn’t turn your back on me. But look-- I’d be lying if I said I don’t love my very own theme song, “Dummies,” that I sing at every telethon, and every Vegas show. Because as passionate as I am about world domination, I’m a lounge singer at heart.
(sings)
“Settle in. Don’t meddle in
Affairs of state.
Gotta do your part, if we’re gonna start
To take tyranny to an art.
I’m gonna share a basic rule of thumb, dummy:
We hammer you ‘til you succumb, dummy.
Don’t waste your time and try to overcome it, dummy.
Dictators rule the world when you play along!”
That’s a freebie.
How have you been spending your quarantine?
I was on the run for a little bit, but that’s over now. It’s all cleared up. Lately I’m hanging out with the Donald. Back and forth to DC. But I like my time at home. Appreciate the down-time. Enjoy the simple pleasures. Doing a bit of plotting about how to use the world pandemic as a distraction to help limit personal freedom and consolidate power, doing some gardening. Try to eat healthy. Binging Netflix. Look—you got to remember: I’ma just a normal guy, like anybody else. But with a better mustache and a great deal of power.
BACKGROUND
In 2014, Christopher Shorr started brainstorming a new project, alarmed and inspired by a conversation with a Hungarian colleague about the rise of fascism in her country. There was more and more violence in the streets, and it was often targeting minorities; there was startling support for anti-immigrant policies; there was a push toward a sort of “Hungary-first” nationalism; there was increasing pressure to wear national colors to show party affiliation; liberal, independent-minded theatre directors were being replaced with people loyal to the right-wing party.
These are moves taken straight from the fascist playbook of the 1930s. Didn’t the Hungarians remember their local Central European history? All of the warning signs seemed so obvious—didn’t people recognize what was happening? He started a list: a catalogue of moves in “The Fascist Playbook.”
· Tap into the insecurities of your population.
· Threats and intimidation work. People will fall into line to avoid exposure to danger.
· Fire people in key positions of power. Replace them with people chosen not for their expertise, but for their allegiance.
· Hatred is useful. Fan the flames of existing resentment.
· Quietly create disorder, then stand calmly as the person who can be a leader in the storm.
· No matter your wealth or privilege, distance yourself from elites, and develop a myth of yourself as a common man who has had to work his way to the top. Everybody wants to support an underdog, but only if they think he will win.
· Refer to terrifying events as a way to reinforce the need for strength and protection. If the terrifying events do not exist, create them. Start by inventing imaginary terror, and then—if necessary—make the terror real.
· Cut the people off from reality. Don’t give them access to information that supports an alternate view of the world.
· Destroy trust in information. Discredit the media. Introduce questions of bias. Promote conspiracy theory.
In winter 2016, the political winds in America began to shift. Things started happening in the US, that felt uncannily familiar. They were on the list.
· Discredit your critics.
· Find and use scapegoats.
· Whatever bad things people say about you, say about them.
· Say everything that people want to hear.
· Demonize individuality and intellect: equate individualism with arrogance; equate intellectualism with elitism.
· Tell the people with advantages in your society, that they are disadvantaged. Tell them that they are the ones who have gotten a rotten deal. Turn logic on his head, and tell them the minorities, the immigrants and the poor are the ones who have all the advantages, and they are stealing what is rightfully yours. It feels great to be the underdog.
This several-year-old project began to feel more present and relevant than it had. DICTATORS 4 DUMMIES was born. This satirical musical explores the common tactics of authoritarian regimes, and the importance of resisting the rise of would-be dictators.
SYNOPSIS: Attendees enter the theatre and become the live studio audience for a television broadcast: the "Tyrants of Tomorrow Telethon"—an annual fundraiser to support aspiring autocrats. The telethon is hosted by two ridiculous ex-dictators known as “The Generals” from their days doing a Las Vegas lounge act. One of them is Carlo Supremo. The audience is greeted by a Production Assistant—a wannabe dictator herself, who the hosts won't take seriously ("girls can't be dictators!"), and who has been relegated to the role of flunky. The telethon begins, and the Generals bring on a series of guest dictators and experts, each more outrageous than the last. (Joe Stalin teaches the dance moves for “The Autocratic Tactic,” Muammar Gaddafi does a ventriloquist act, singing a duet with his mini-Gaddafi dummy, etc.) The various guest segments are interspersed with breaks, during which we catch glimpses of the world behind the scenes. As long as the cameras are rolling, the generals appear to be best friends. Off-air, however, we see tensions rising between the hosts and the Production Assistant, who is trying desperately to prove herself to them but can’t seem to get into the generals’ good graces despite her many efforts. Making matters worse, each new guest mistreats and harasses her. The Production Assistant has been keeping her mounting frustration in check, but is pushed to the breaking point by come-ons from sleazy Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic. Enough is enough. She starts killing the guests: first Slobodan Milosevic is crushed by a craft-services cart just after his soft-shoe routine; then others start dropping dead. Sadly, even this epic murder spree fails to impress the Generals, who tell her that despotism is a man’s game. She decides to stage a coup, overthrowing the Generals using some of their own tricks. The Production Assistant is the last person standing, and although she sheds the visible trappings of these over-the-top despots and promises to be a new-and-improved leader—a modern politician, not a dictator at all—we have our doubts.
The show premiered in April 2018 at Touchstone Theatre in Bethlehem, PA for a two week run, generating constructive political dialogue in the community, receiving good reviews, and exceeding box-office expectations. Important to note, the show was received well by both “liberal” and “conservative” audiences. It was recognized by the Bethlehem Press (ABE Award) as “Best Original Musical of 2018.”
The production was invited to perform at Teatr Brama in Poland, as part of the international “Bramat” festival. It performed there in August, 2018 at the municipal theatre (Dom Kultury) of the host city, Goleniow. The audience of local residents and international artists responded enthusiastically, and communicated that the show resonated with them and addressed political situations that exist around the world.
CHRISTOPHER SHORR BIO:
Through all of his work, Christopher Shorr strives to prevent audiences, collaborators, and himself from succumbing to complacency. He is particularly interested in the creation of new theatre pieces and in the aggressive re-working of classic texts. His documentary play “Tribute: September 11” was commissioned by the AmeriCulture Arts Festival in Fitchburg, MA to mark the first anniversary of 9/11, and was revived for the tenth anniversary and performed at Moravian College and at the University of Baltimore. “Rina,” his two-person, one-act re-working of Chekhov’s “The Three Sisters” was produced at New York’s “Chekhov Now Festival” in 2002. His play “Clytemnestra’s Daughters,” was workshopped at the Southampton Writers Conference, prior to a reading at Touchstone Theatre. “Faust in France,” was produced in 2012 at Moravian College, and then workshopped in residence at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre on Cape Cod. His play “Everyman on Trial was produced at Moravian in 2016. Co-authored plays and musicals that have won ABE awards for Best Original Play or Musical:With James Jordan (Artistic Director of Touchstone Theatre), the satirical musicals “The Pan Show: A Cautionary Tale,” and “The Pan Show: In Pan We Trust” a musical adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey called “Ulysses Dreams,” “Bhudoo”—an interactive musical fable—which premiered at Touchstone, followed by performances in Italy (Teatro Potlach) and Hungary (Maladype). His satirical musical "Dictators 4 Dummies" was produced at Touchstone Theatre in 2018 (ABE "Best Musical") and then performed at the Bramat festival in Goleniow, Poland. It was a 2020 finalist for the New York Musical Festival (NYMF).
He has directed more than 50 productions, working in a range of styles and periods, in professional and academic and venues, and has designed some combination of set, sound and video for more than 50 productions as well. Much of his design work is done collaboratively through Jordan & Shorr Creative, LLC.
Shorr is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he directs the Theatre Program and serves as Artistic Director of the Moravian College Theatre Company, and is a member of the Touchstone Theatre company. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Drew University, and an MFA in Stage Directing from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Check out more about Dictators4Dummies HERE and vote for Carlo HERE.