“Paranormal Activity” is scheduled to premiere at the August Wilson Theatre, marking a theatrical adaptation of the 2007 film that grossed $194 million worldwide. The production follows a couple, James and Lou, who experience escalating supernatural disturbances in their new home. Producer Simon Friend and director Felix Barrett developed the stage version after it premiered in Leeds, England, and subsequently toured major markets including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Chicago.
The creative team intentionally designed the show to appeal beyond traditional theater audiences, targeting moviegoers interested in horror experiences. Director Barrett stated the goal is to demonstrate the potency of live theatrical performance to viewers who might not typically attend plays. The production employs extensive set design, incorporating a two-story house with exposed rooms that remove the traditional fourth wall, allowing audiences voyeuristic views throughout the performance. Illusion designer Chris Fisher, who previously worked on “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” collaborated with writer Levi Holloway to integrate technical effects directly into the script development process.
Broadway’s track record with horror-themed productions has been mixed, with previous entries like “Grey House,” “Evil Dead: The Musical,” and “American Psycho” having limited runs. Friend acknowledged the challenge of convincing audiences to pay Broadway ticket prices for horror content when films offer comparable experiences at lower cost. However, he expressed confidence that strong storytelling could transcend typical genre boundaries and reach audiences beyond dedicated horror fans.
Audience reactions during preview performances revealed unexpected dynamics, with viewers responding vocally to scares in ways atypical of Broadway etiquette. Directors embraced this interactive element rather than discouraging it, recognizing that audiences were engaging with the production similarly to how they would respond to a film. Horror producer Jason Blum, who produced the original film, signed on as a stage producer after attending a Los Angeles performance. He noted that creating genuine scares in live theater presents unique challenges compared to filmmaking, making this adaptation’s effectiveness noteworthy.
Barrett indicated that success with “Paranormal Activity” could establish a new theatrical subgenre focused on audience participation and vocal engagement with horror content, potentially leading to additional stage adaptations of established horror properties.
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