The Exorcist, Geffen Playhouse

Production photo by Michael Lamont.

The Exorcist by John Pielmeier.

Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA

The Geffen Playhouse have commissioned John Pielmeierto adapt author William Peter Blatty’s legendary horror story to the stage for a world-premiere presentation, and it’s difficult to comprehend why. Why take a sensational novel that was cleverly parlayed into a hit movie to great effect and then – almost forty years later – adapt that story for the theatrical stage? Why?  Read more…

Dany Margolies – ArtsInLA

Give John Doyle’s direction its due: It lends an effective visual and aural atmosphere to a problematic script. Regrettably, the direction does not quite create the fearsome battleground presumably intended by the writers. John Pielmeier’s scrip, in its premiere here, is of course based on William Peter Blatty’s iconic novel. Missing from the direction is thorough-enough dramaturgy and any passion—maternal or religious.  Read more…

Sharon Perlmutter – Talkin’ Broadway

When you enter the theatre for the world premiere adaptation of The Exorcist, you’ll notice that the set looks church-like, with a massive wooden cross suspended over the stage. There is nothing subtle about it.  Read more…

Bob Verini – Variety

The Geffen’s updated stage adaptation clearly hopes helmer John Doyle’s theatricality will compensate for cinematic pea-soup vomit and a moppet’s spinning head, but his black magic never quite rises to the spine-chilling. Read more…