2:22 A Ghost Story Brings Scary Slick Tale to The Ahmanson

There were many jump scares and surprised audience members at the Ahmanson for the opening of the thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story.

A star-studded cast leads viewers through a mysterious plot focusing on a countdown, both for the characters on stage and for those watching, highlighted by a huge menacing red clock counting down the minutes to 2:22.

Beware of Ian Dickinson’s shrilling tense soundscape and unpredictable bursts of bright lighting, all which made our audience literally jump out of their seats in fear.

Directed by Matthew Dunster with a script from Danny Robins, the play takes us to a house that is being renovated by Jenny (Constance Wu) and her physics professor husband Sam (Finn Wittrock).

Lauren (Anna Camp) and her new boyfriend Ben (Adam Rothenberg) are over for dinner. While Sam was away on a business trip, Jenny has experienced hauntings in the new house precisely at 2:22 am, many heard through a baby monitor around her sleeping baby’s crib.

The guests and the audience are invited to stay up to 2:22 to witness the next haunting. Sam doesn’t believe in ghosts which leads to the characters sharing ghost stories and their beliefs about metaphysical questions, faith and reason.

Without spoiling any surprises, and there are a few, there is a slow build to the big reveal at 2:22, which left myself and surrounding audience members full of gasps and chills.

Now playing at the Ahmanson through December 4, 8pm Tuesday to Friday, 2 and 8pm on Saturday, 1 and 6:30pm Sundays. $40 - $175, tickets at www.https://centertheatregroup.org.