Experience the 1922 silent horror classic with an original score performed live by internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Tom Roberts on Friday, October 30.
Just in time for Halloween, Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre is bringing a truly unique cinematic experience to Wheeling. On Friday, October 30, internationally acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger Tom Roberts will perform his original musical score live during a special screening of the 1922 silent horror masterpiece Nosferatu.
This one-night-only event combines classic cinema, extraordinary musicianship and the eerie atmosphere of one of the most influential horror films ever made. Audiences can also enjoy dinner before the screening as part of Towngate’s popular Dinner & a Movie series.
From Carnegie Hall to Hollywood: Meet Tom Roberts
Tom Roberts is no ordinary pianist. The Pittsburgh native has built an internationally recognized career as a performer, composer, arranger and expert in early jazz piano.
His impressive musical résumé includes performances at Carnegie Hall, appearances with renowned jazz ensembles and years touring as the pianist and musical director for legendary entertainer Leon Redbone.
Roberts’ talents have also taken him to Hollywood. Acclaimed director Martin Scorsese enlisted him to arrange and perform music for the 2004 film The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Roberts also contributed music to the film De-Lovely and has written arrangements for Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
An accomplished musical historian, Roberts specializes in early American jazz styles, including ragtime, stride piano, swing and New Orleans jazz. His understanding of historical music has made him particularly well suited to another fascinating specialty: bringing silent films to life through original musical scores.
Bringing Silent Cinema Back to Life
Before movies had synchronized dialogue and soundtracks, live music was an essential part of the moviegoing experience. Pianists and orchestras provided the drama, suspense, romance and excitement that helped audiences connect with the action unfolding on screen.
Roberts has devoted part of his career to reviving that tradition, composing and performing original scores for silent films by legendary filmmakers and performers including Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Alfred Hitchcock and F.W. Murnau.
In 2022, Roberts created an original score for Nosferatu in celebration of the film’s 100th anniversary. The score premiered during two sold-out screenings at Pittsburgh’s Harris Theater, presented with the Pittsburgh Silent Film Society.
Now, Wheeling audiences have the opportunity to experience that same remarkable performance at Towngate Theatre.
Unlike watching a film with a prerecorded soundtrack, experiencing a live pianist adds another dimension to the story. Every dramatic moment, unsettling shadow and suspenseful scene is accompanied by music performed in real time, creating an intimate connection between the musician, the film and the audience.
A Horror Masterpiece More Than a Century in the Making
Released in 1922, director F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential horror films in cinema history.
This haunting adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula introduced audiences to the terrifying Count Orlok, whose eerie appearance, elongated fingers and ominous shadow helped establish the visual language of horror movies for generations to come.
More than 100 years later, the film remains a chilling example of how powerful storytelling can be without a single spoken word.
With Roberts performing his original score live, audiences will experience the film in a way that recalls the magic of early movie theaters while adding the artistry of a contemporary master musician.
Make It a Halloween Weekend to Remember
Towngate Theatre’s Dinner & a Movie presentation offers the perfect opportunity to turn this extraordinary performance into a memorable evening out.
Guests can begin the night with dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the screening of Nosferatu at 7:30 p.m.
Event Details
Friday, October 30, 2026
Towngate Theatre
2118 Market Street, Wheeling, WV
Dinner: 6:30 p.m.
Movie with Live Piano Score: 7:30 p.m.
Dinner & Movie Package: $40 per person
Includes dinner, movie admission, coffee, tea, water and a box of popcorn.
Movie-Only Admission: $20 per person
Available at the Towngate Theatre box office.
Whether you’re a fan of classic horror films, a music enthusiast or simply looking for something different to do this Halloween weekend, this special performance promises an evening unlike any other.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see an internationally acclaimed musician bring one of cinema’s most legendary horror films to life, right here in Wheeling.
Reserve your seats today at oionline.com. or CLICK HERE
