Gaslight at Northlight Theatre
If you only know the term “gaslighting” from modern conversation, this is the story that helps it land with full dramatic force. Bella and Jack appear, at first, to be a respectable couple in a refined home, but the atmosphere quickly shifts as Bella starts noticing small, unsettling ruptures in reality—misplaced objects, inexplicable accusations, and the creeping sensation that her own mind can’t be trusted. Add a locked attic, mysterious nighttime footsteps, and the eerie flicker of the gas lamps, and what begins as domestic unease turns into a chilling psychological trap.What’s been winning over reviewers is how confidently this production handles the genre pleasures: it’s tense and brisk, with a steady undercurrent of menace, and it stays sharply acted and carefully staged so the suspense doesn’t sag. Just as importantly, it knows when to let you breathe—there’s humor threaded through the night that energizes the storytelling instead of deflating it, giving the show a crackling, crowd-pleasing rhythm.
The performances are a big part of why it lands. Jack is played with a polished charm that only makes the character’s cruelty more alarming, while Bella’s journey keeps you locked in—vulnerable, rattled, and then increasingly determined as the truth comes into focus. And when the detective enters, the production gets an extra jolt of momentum: the role becomes both catalyst and comic relief, bringing a sly, theatrical charge that has audiences leaning forward (sometimes practically willing the character to notice what’s right in front of him).
Design-wise, Gaslight is doing exactly what you want from a thriller: creating a world that feels beautiful, claustrophobic, and just a little haunted. Reviewers have singled out the evocative Victorian setting, the shadowy “gaslight” look, and the ominous sense of presence in the house—those details that make every pause feel loaded and every sound feel like a clue.
And beneath all the intrigue, the production’s punch comes from watching Bella fight her way back to certainty—reclaiming her truth, her agency, and ultimately her power. If you’re craving something smart, stylish, and genuinely suspenseful amid the season’s warmer fare, Gaslight is a great pick—and with the run only through January 4, it’s one worth catching sooner rather than later.