Paranormal Activity Delivers Chills on Broadway

Theaters, especially those nestled in basements or offering an intimate setting, have long been the preferred venues for supernatural thrills. On Tuesday night, the August Wilson Theatre joined these ranks as audiences experienced spine-tingling fear with the premiere of Paranormal Activity. In a packed house of 1,200, viewers found themselves startled and audibly reacting, despite familiarizing with the show in Chicago.

Director Felix Barrett, from Punchdrunk, expertly crafts this horror tale in collaboration with writer Levi Holloway. They have adapted the story, originally from Paramount Pictures, into a live Broadway performance. Unlike other horror-themed shows, this production focuses on intricately designed intimate and domestic settings. The production thrives in its ability to create tension, offering big scares along with quieter, emotionally charged moments.

Paranormal Activity is set in a single location, a house in England, where a young married couple, portrayed by Cher Álvarez and Travis A. Knight, navigate a life filled with secrets. Their relationship faces turbulence, influenced by the husband’s fundamentalist mother, played by Shannon Cochran. The two-story set, designed by Fly Davis, is gradually unveiled through Anna Watson’s effective lighting design, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.

The show carefully times its frightful moments, building suspense as the narrative unfolds. When a medium, played by Eva Kaminsky, enters the scene, chaos ensues, and the audience is captivated. Surprises abound, particularly a pivotal twist in Holloway’s script that redefines understanding while maintaining logical coherence.

Starring Cher Álvarez, Paranormal Activity captivates audiences at the August Wilson Theatre in New York. The production avoids clichéd horror tropes, opting for an authentic, analog storytelling approach grounded in psychological realism. This emphasis creates chilling experiences, differentiating the production from self-referential horror franchises.

The show had its U.S. debut at Chicago Shakespeare Theater before moving to New York. Here, it still utilizes the same effective cast mostly comprising actors from Chicago. One noticeable difference is the less intrusive exit signs at the Chicago venue, which allowed for an even more immersive experience. Nevertheless, on Broadway, safety considerations prevail, and the show remains intensely captivating.

As audiences discover how the past haunts the present, Paranormal Activity offers a terrifying yet engaging theatrical experience. The play runs at the August Wilson Theatre located at 245 W. 52nd St., New York. For more details, visit paranormalbroadway.com.