The Broadway stage, typically reserved for musicals and dramas, now hosts ‘Paranormal Activity,’ leveraging its haunting potential to enthrall audiences with supernatural scares. Opening Tuesday night at the August Wilson Theatre, this production merges classic Broadway thrills with horror elements, captivating 1,200 spectators.
Directed by Felix Barrett from the British company Punchdrunk, ‘Paranormal Activity’ stands apart from other horror adaptations by delivering an intimate storyline. Levi Holloway, known for his original writing, crafts a script that showcases both intense scares and quieter, introspective moments.
Set in a single location—a house in England—the narrative revolves around a young couple, portrayed by Cher Álvarez and Travis A. Knight. Recently relocated from Chicago, their relationship suffers under the strain of dark secrets and family influences. Shannon Cochran adds to the drama as the husband’s fundamentalist mother.
The set, designed by Fly Davis, gradually reveals hidden dimensions. The lighting by Anna Watson plays a crucial role in building suspense. Eva Kaminsky’s arrival as a medium triggers chaos, culminating in a 180-degree twist that challenges perceptions.
Avoiding stereotypical horror conventions, ‘Paranormal Activity’ delivers an analog experience, relying on psychological tension rather than digital effects. This approach ensures a plot-driven, engaging performance without pretentious artifice.
‘Paranormal Activity’ initially debuted at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, sharing its impactful production and Chicago-based cast. On Broadway, the challenge lies in the glowing exit signs, slightly disrupting the immersive darkness integral to Holloway and Barrett’s vision.
Located at the August Wilson Theatre, 245 W. 52nd St., New York, this performance underscores the unsettling reality that past lives rarely remain hidden. The show promises to scare while exploring human vulnerability.
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