Full Breakdown
Boston Rehearsal Prepares “Paranormal Activity” for Its Broadway Debut
7/23/2026, 2:14:25 PM
Technical Rehearsal Highlights
In July 2026, roughly 30 crew members gathered in the orchestra of Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre for a technical rehearsal of the stage adaptation of the 2009 horror film *Paranormal Activity*. The space was illuminated by about 40 computer monitors, creating a control-room ambience. The set—a dimly lit, two-story house—features extensive lighting, audio and effect cues designed to evoke the film’s claustrophobic tension.
Design and Illusion Strategies
Illusions designer Chris Fisher, also a Tony winner, relied on “old-school magic” rather than modern high-powered technology, employing creaking doors, flashing lights and rapid character movements to produce what he calls the “jaws effect.” Playwright Levi Holloway and Fisher tested extreme ideas—such as lighting a performer on fire or having a character exit one door and reappear through another—during early development at Punchdrunk’s London headquarters.
Official Perspectives on Translating Horror
Fry emphasized that sound is critical for converting cinematic tension to the stage, noting the need to expand the franchise while respecting theatrical constraints. Holloway expressed enthusiasm for audience reactions, likening repeat viewings to the frequency of everyday activities such as showering.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don't use any kind of big, high-powered, modern-day technology,” — Tony Award-winner Chris Fisher
- “By that, I mean it's often scarier to see the fin coming through the water and hear the music than it is to see the mechanical face of the shark come out of the water,” — Tony Award-winner Chris Fisher
- “We're really excited to see if we can pass that smell test with Boston audiences.” — Chuck Rogers, of Milton
These statements capture the production team’s intent to deliver a visceral, communal horror experience as the show prepares for its limited Broadway run.
