Producer Jason Blum had said the Paranormal Activity franchise went dormant for a while after the release of 2015’s Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension because he felt the series had gotten tired – and it wasn’t his idea to make Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, a failed attempt at a revival (that he described as “terrible”), back in 2021. He has been open about the fact that he feels there has been “enough already” when it comes to Paranormal Activity movies… but the franchise is far from over. Not only is a new movie scheduled to reach theatres on May 21, 2027, but there’s also a stage play that’s sweeping the globe. Its next destination: Broadway!
Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Stage first made its way out into the world at the Leeds Playhouse in the UK, then it got a twelve-week run at the Ambassadors Theatre in London’s West End that started last December. That run resulted in a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play. Since then, there have been sold-out engagements at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in Chicago, Center Theater Group at The Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C., and American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. There’s an engagement in Boston at the Emerson Colonial Theatre that’s scheduled to run from July 11 through July 30.
And now, Deadline reports that the show, written by Levi Holloway and directed by Felix Barrett, is being rebranded Paranormal Activity – A New Story Live on Broadway for a twenty-week run at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre. Performances begin on August 14th, but the official opening isn’t until September 15th.
What is the Paranormal Activity play about?
Here’s the synopsis: James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past, but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are… With an original story inspired by the film franchise, Paranormal Activity reimagines the modern ghost story with an intimacy that only live theatre can provide.
What has been said about the Broadway run?
Barrett provided the following statement: “New York is my home away from home. I fell in love with the city when making Sleep No More fifteen years ago, and always marveled at the way audiences engaged with the show. Having seen the incredible responses to Paranormal as it has toured the US, I’m beyond excited that it will be coming to Broadway and cannot wait to see how New Yorkers react.“
Holloway had this to say: “That Paranormal Activity has earned the chance to trouble the sleep of Broadway audiences, that they’ll be immersed in the waking nightmare we’ve had the privilege to make, is the stuff of dreams. I offer it’s unlike anything else on the American stage right now; a work of horror, heart and absolute mischief borne from one of the most profound collaborations of my career.“
Josh Silverman, President, Global Products & Experiences, Paramount, added: “Paranormal Activity changed the horror landscape, and bringing the franchise to Broadway allows us to continue expanding that world in a bold and immersive way. By combining the franchise’s signature suspense with the power of live theater, this production delivers an unforgettable live experience for the audience.“
Jason Blum is joining the producing team for the Broadway run. Here’s the credit block: By arrangement with Paramount Pictures and Solana Films, Paranormal Activity is a Melting Pot production in association with Paramount Pictures. Produced by Simon Friend, Hanna Osmolska, Ken Davenport, Gavin Kalin Productions, Seaview, Crooked Letter, Blumhouse, John Gore Organization, Michael Ngo/David Thomas Tao, Olympus Theatricals/FineWomen Productions, Amplify Pictures, Robina Riccitiello, Lone Pine Theatricals. Executive Producer is Seaview. Paranormal Activity is produced in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Center Theatre Group, Shakespeare Theatre Company and American Conservatory Theatre.
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