PARANORMAL ACTIVITY Reviews

It's the second.

RUkiddingme said: "It's the second."

CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY had been seen on Broadway once before, in 2018.

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Variety is positive: "more thrills, chills and screams than Broadway has seen in years"

EDSOSLO858 said: "RUkiddingme said: "It's the second."

CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY had been seen on Broadway once before, in 2018.

"

I got it now - Celebrity Auto was the first OLD show of the season. Paranormal is the first NEW show.

So when School Girls opens will that be called the first new mounting of an old show this season?

DID THEY LIKE IT score: 12 positive (including the New York Times), 3 mixed, 0 negative

My current season theory is that Paranormal Activity will not be forgotten on Tony nominations morning. I currently see the show getting nominated for at least 3 awards.

The fall run for this show is great. I do not see this being remembered come Tony time. Maybe for sound or lighting design if anything.

Having seen this prior to Broadway, I was VERY disappointed in the new leads. Patrick Heusinger & his co-star made this work (as much as they could with this uneven script) - in a way the new cast does not come close to. The NYC cast come off as serviceable. The supporting are similar. Heusinger had other options on his plate and took them but it's a shame we got the average bin with the leads.

I do think they were smart to open this earlier while nothing else is happening in NYC theater. If it was sandwiched between other shows the reviews would not have been as luke warm.

Updated On: 8/26/26 at 12:09 AM

80 on Broadway Scorecard, recommended. Strong choice.

”Critics find this stage adaptation delivers effective scares and impressive technical effects, though some note the script lacks psychological depth. Most praise its fun, thrilling atmosphere even as a few dismiss it as thin.”

https://broadwayscorecard.com/show/paranormal-activity

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CoffeeBreak said: "The fall run for this show is great. I do not see this being remembered come Tony time. Maybe for sound or lighting design if anything.

Having seen this prior to Broadway, I was VERY disappointed in the new leads. Patrick Heusinger & his co-star made this work (as much as they could with this uneven script) - in a way the new cast does not come close to. The NYC castcome off as serviceable. The supporting are similar. Heusinger had other options on his plate and took them but it's a shame we got the average bin with the leads.

I do think they were smart to open this earlier while nothing else is happening in NYC theater. If it was sandwiched between other shows the reviews would not have been as luke warm."

I could not disagree with you more. After seeing it in Chicago, DC, and now - I think Travis Knight is a massive improvement over Heusinger. My feelings on it are a bit spoiler-y, so including a tag.

Regardless, congrats to the show on these wonderful reviews! Deserved.

Updated On: 8/26/26 at 05:24 PM

on the one hand, a weak script--both the writing and the story. on the other, the scenic design here is truly something. you are on edge of your seat waiting to jump from the get go, and yes that insane moment in Act 1 lives up to the hype (how did they do that?). but some of the scares were telegraphed early on, and i thought the ending was so abrupt and unsatisfying/incomplete, it was a bit of a letdown.

i needed more "how did they do that" i guess, but the few truly scary moments really pop off. i give the actors credit because the audience is responsive and giggly in a nervous/distracting way, and they need to stay locked into their terror, which they do really nicely.

a mostly fun time, lots to admire re the production. we chose rear orchestra over mid mezzanine, and i think that was a mistake- Row S is a mile from the stage. Dont see how the first rows of orchestra could possibly get some of the scenic effects from that angle.