Paranormal Activity brings bone-chilling terror to Broadway, and a new scream queen has entered the chat.
Making its debut in the UK, Paranormal Activity has officially made its way to New York City, bringing bone-chilling scares and supernatural horrors to Broadway. Leading the terrifying production are Cher Álvarez and Travis A. Knight, two rising talents making their Broadway debuts. Though new to the Broadway stage, the pair are already making a splash with their performances. Could a Tony Award be in their future? Only time will tell, but these newcomers are certainly ones to watch.
Credit: Matthew Murphy
While working in Los Angeles, Cher Álvarez received an unexpected opportunity to audition for a project shrouded in as much mystery as the story itself. Intrigued by the opportunity, Álvarez submitted her audition and continued pursuing other projects, never anticipating just how much her life was about to change. To her surprise she landed the part, marking a major turning point in her career. What began as an unfamiliar audition soon became a life-changing opportunity, taking her from Los Angeles to the Broadway stage and placing her at the center of one of theater’s most chilling new productions.
“To be honest, I didn’t read the breakdown, I didn’t read the character breakdown. I was like, I just want to play with the material because I read the sides and they spoke to me. I was like, I really like how this is written. Yeah. And I just kind of put it up very quickly. Didn’t hear anything. I just kind of like, let it go. And then I was before I knew I was in a meeting with Felix and Levi, and I was very skeptical as to how they were going to pull off any kind of theater illusion horror on stage, you know? Yeah. Because, like, first of all, I was raised Catholic, so I don’t fuck with this kind of shit. And then, I got the offer, and I was just kind of like, Holy shit. Here we go. I honest to God, had a feeling that it could go to New York. And I wanted to make sure that I would be a part of that vision, you know? So I was like, I got to work my ass off for this.”
Álvarez began her journey with Paranormal Activity in Chicago, where she immersed herself in rehearsals for what would soon become Broadway’s latest supernatural sensation. It was during this time that she truly discovered her character, Lou, working closely with her co-star, Travis A. Knight, to develop the nuances of their onstage relationship. One of the production’s most compelling elements is the remarkably grounded and authentic portrayal of the couple at its center. Álvarez and Knight bring an extraordinary sense of realism to their performances, creating two characters who feel less like fictional figures and more like people audiences might know in their own lives. I found myself completely immersed in their performances, hanging on every moment and sitting on the edge of my seat, genuinely worried about what might happen to these characters. It’s a testament to Álvarez and Knight’s performances that, amid all the terrifying twists and chilling scares, it’s the fate of their characters that keeps audiences so invested.
Credit: Matthew Murphy
“I think because Travis and I, we started off, you know, in the room in Chicago and there was just like there was trust already there. So the minute he stepped into it, it was just so, like easy to to love, authentically love this person. And and he’s so incredibly playful and like, I mean, because when we started rehearsals for this in D.C., they only gave him a week to learn the entire show and put it on its feet. So like and I think that’s kind of great. And it served for both of us, because you just kind of have to surrender into the process and just be like, anything goes. And that’s what’s so great because like, we’ve been doing this now for such a long time and something that Shannon Cochrane, who plays Caroline, has mentioned, it’s like having a fresh terror. And Travis and I, they kind of they gave us absolute autonomy and like we’re just playing up there every single night.”
One of the most exhilarating aspects of Paranormal Activity is the audience’s reaction, which brings an entirely different dimension to the theatrical experience. Each night, Álvarez has the unique opportunity to send audiences into a frenzy, delivering terrifying moments that have theatergoers screaming at the top of their lungs. From startled gasps to full-blown screams, the audience’s reactions become part of the show’s thrilling atmosphere. For an actor, there is something incredibly rewarding about experiencing those reactions firsthand. Álvarez gets to witness the impact of her performance in real time, making every scream, gasp, and nervous laugh a reminder of just how effectively the production is bringing its supernatural horrors to life. No two audiences are exactly alike, and every performance offers Álvarez a new opportunity to surprise, frighten, and immerse theatergoers in the terrifying world of Paranormal Activity.
“Yeah, I like especially at the top of four, you know, like it’s right. We’ve come back from intermission and, Travis is like doing, like the whole flashlight moment, and then I appear on the couch, and then I appear at the window, and it’s just, like, fucking crazy. And, like, we have a little brief moment backstage. We’re just like, fuck yeah, we got them that.”
Portraying Lou on stage requires incredible emotional strength and control. Caught between supernatural forces and the very real strain threatening her relationship, Lou is constantly questioning what is happening around her and what she can still trust. Álvarez fearlessly dives into that emotional complexity, bringing Lou’s fear, vulnerability, and desperation to life with remarkable authenticity. But stepping into that darkness night after night comes with its own challenges. To separate herself from Lou once the curtain falls, Álvarez has developed a personal ritual to help let go of the character and return to herself.
“Yeah. I’ve had to, like, actually honor a ritual. I always I wait till everyone leaves the theater and then I go out. I thank the space, I have a moment with the ghost light. Thank the people who are cleaning up the theater. That’s very important because of the first ones in the last ones out, it’s important. I’m also like telling my body like, this isn’t real. Because like, sometimes it does it does take a toll. And also like I don’t want anything attaching itself to me, I believe that I really do. I don’t care who tells me it doesn’t exist, I believe it.”
Credit: Matthew Murphy
Álvarez has quickly established herself as Broadway’s newest scream queen, stepping into an exclusive club of performers who have made their mark through horror. But beyond the scares and supernatural thrills, her journey with Paranormal Activity carries a deeper significance. Taking on Lou has given Álvarez an opportunity to bring representation from her own community to the Broadway stage. Something she recognizes as both meaningful and important.
“I get people do reach out and it’s been really great. And like honestly, representation is what matters because like also hearing people say I’m just like so happy to like, see myself on stage. And that was like the thing that was most exciting for me. Like, I’ll never forget when it was just like, oh my God. Like Trav, like, you and I are two people of color. No name, no names. Right. And we’re, like, headlining the show on Broadway. I would have never guessed like the little girl that was like eight years old, looking at herself with a mirror, begging for blue eyes and blond hair, like I like I want to say you had it going for you. I love, I love where I come from. I love, you know, the way that I was raised hard and, you know, like, it’s just everything feels like it’s kind of falling into place”
Paranormal Activity continues its Broadway run, drawing audiences from around the world eager to experience its chilling scares and supernatural thrills. Álvarez delivers a fearless and extraordinary performance, taking audiences on an emotional journey that extends far beyond the scares. Her portrayal brings depth and vulnerability to Lou while creating a space for young actresses to see themselves represented on the Broadway stage. So, if you’re searching for a thrilling night out this Halloween season, make your way to Paranormal Activity and prepare to scream.
For Álvarez, the lights of Broadway may only be the beginning. With a breakout performance as Lou, she has proven that she can command the stage, terrify an audience, and leave a lasting impression long after the curtain falls. If Paranormal Activity is her introduction to Broadway, it will be exciting to see where she takes the spotlight next.
