Paranormal Acitivity

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Levi Holloway’s Paranormal Activity which has settled into its run at the August Wilson Theatre is a totally new story in the almost 20-year movie franchise started by Oren Peli’s original 2007 movie thriller. However, the play by the author of 2023’s stage thriller Grey House does make use of the premise of the films: a couple with previous trauma move into a new house and paranormal events begin to happen. Unlike the films which pretend to use found footage from a camera set up in the couple’s bedroom, on Broadway we have all five rooms of a house to watch as things go bump in the night. Director Felix Barrett, founder and artistic director of the British theater company Punchdrunk and for whom he also co-directed the interactive Sleep No More, knows how to creep out an audience and the show is extremely sophisticated.

Lou and James Singer, a couple who have been married just under a year, have moved from Chicago to London due to his job change. However, they are thrilled to get out of Chicago as Lou was having strange episodes which mimicked things that had happened earlier in her life. Unfortunately, whatever is haunting her seems to have followed to the new house (cleverly designed by Fly Davis as a five room, two-story cutaway): doors fly open by themselves, the TV set turns itself on, the lights go out as the breaker appears to be tripped, and shadows pass across the walls. They are continually interrupted by Jimmy’s evangelical mother Carolanne (the name an homage to the Poltergeist franchise) facetiming on the television set from Florida to see how they are doing and if she will be a grandmother anytime soon. Sometime later they invite a famous medium Dr. Etheline Cotgrove to perform a séance. However, when supernatural events get out of hand, she runs out telling them that their problem is beyond her powers.

While Jimmy initially believes that Lou is forgetting to take her medicine, he finally witnesses what she has been subjected to and realizes they are being haunted. However, their relationship seems to be crumbling as well as we suspect that they both have secrets they have not revealed to each other. When Carolanne puts in a surprise visit, the scares get ratcheted up. The first act which has its variety of thrills and chills evolves leisurely, but the second act which increases the paranormal events has a terrific ending you probably won’t see coming – through the clues have been there all along.

The ability to see all five rooms in the house is par of the fun as you will find yourself constantly looking around to see where the next shock will occur from illusions designer Chris Fisher: the bathroom shower curtain, the dimly lit bedroom, the creepy room designated as the nursery, etc. Of course, lighting designer Anna Watson and sound designer Gareth Fry have a good deal to do with the events that occur: lights go on and off or blackout altogether, unaccountable sounds are heard like the knocks at the door but no one is there. Lights pass through the windows: is it a car or something creepier?

As Lou and James, debuting actors Cher Álvarez and Travis A. Knight are quite successful as the beleaguered couple though I might have been more panicked in their situation. They make an attractive couple as well as two people initially deeply in love. Álvarez is the more psyched out as she has been through all this before, while Knight is more realistic about his explanations of the creepy events. As the religious zealot of a mother, Shannon Cochran seems to need as much help as Lou. Eva Kaminsky as the medium is at first efficient and accomplished until she gives up in despair at the climactic moment. Two of the four actors have appeared in the United States pre-Broadway tour to Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, but you won’t guess which two.

Paranormal Activity may not offer you as many scares and screams as you might be expecting. However, you will be riveted to the stage trying to guess where the next paranormal event will happen. The first act may feel a little skimpy on the chills and thrills, but the second act makes up for it. Even if you find the play wanting in some respects, Felix Barrett’s production could not be better. Just try to take you eyes off those two floors in Lou and James’ London house.

Paranormal Activity (through January 3, 2027)

August Wilson Theatre, 245 W. 52^nd Street, in Manhattan

For tickets, call 888-811-5040 or visit http://www.paranormalbroadway.com

Running time: two hours and ten minutes including one intermission