PARANORMAL ACTIVITY at Chicago Shakespeare

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 9:54am

Saw this last Friday and thought this was pretty great.

The best thing about this show are the effects. They're all extremely tight and effective, and elicited multiple screams and even some applause from the audience. I'm someone who has a good understanding of the mechanics of stage illusions, and there's a reveal at the end where I cannot for the life of me figure out how they did it.

The writing is... good. I'm not sure if this is the best barometer, but I watched the first four Paranormal Activity movies (which you don't need to do, this is a completely original story that isn't related to the films at all), and it's significantly better written than any of them. It's a little cliched, and you can guess some plot points in advance, but the actors make it work.

The show is pretty much a two-hander, with a couple extra characters who show up in some scenes. The two lead actors did really well with the material and had great chemistry.

Hoping this has a life after its mini-tour (after Chicago Shakes, the production is going to LA, DC, and San Francisco). I wouldn't be shocked if they bring it to New York eventually. We don't get a lot of horror shows in theatre, and this is a great example of what it's capable of.

[EmceeHammer]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 11:13am

I'm seeing this on Halloween. I've yet to see pure horror done onstage effectively, so I'm cautiously optimistic that this one is actually scary. 

NYT has a great write-up on the production with lots of images of the set (gift link): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/theater/paranormal-activity-theater-chicago.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vE8.m5rV.1S4n8n4VwkQT&smid=url-share

I agree this likely has a life beyond the tour and West End production. 

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 11:46am

EmceeHammer said: "I'm seeing this on Halloween. I'veyet to see pure horror done onstage effectively, so I'm cautiously optimistic that this one is actually scary.

NYT has a great write-up on the production with lots of images of the set (gift link):https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/theater/paranormal-activity-theater-chicago.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vE8.m5rV.1S4n8n4VwkQT&smid=url-share

I agree this likelyhas a life beyond the tour and West End production."

Those pictures reminded me, the lighting design of this show is incredible. It's not just eerie and moody, it does a lot of work in the storytelling as well.

Seeing this on Halloween with a crowd sounds like an absolute blast.