Freed Spirits at Horizon Theatre blends ghostly mystery with Southern charm in an original world premiere that sparks intrigue, imagination, and spirited performances. While the production offers a clever premise and strong design elements, its narrative unevenness keeps it from being a fully polished theatrical experience.
In this review, we’ll break down the story, performances, production design, themes, and why Freed Spirits merits attention from theatre lovers who enjoy atmospheric storytelling and quirky ensembles.
What Is Freed Spirits?
Freed Spirits is a play by Daryl Lisa Fazio, presented as a world premiere at Horizon Theatre in Atlanta. Set against the evocative backdrop of Oakland Cemetery, the story follows a group of unlikely companions who venture into historic graveyards after a freak tornado unearths clues that may explain unexplained visions and ghostly happenings. The play combines mystery, humor, and character drama as these urban misfits search for answers.
According to the theatre’s own synopsis, the production runs approximately one hour and forty-five minutes, including an intermission. It incorporates atmospheric elements like fog machines and herbal cigarettes to heighten its haunted aesthetic.
Plot Overview — Mystery, Ghosts, and Quirky Companions
Image source: wanderlust Atlanta
Freed Spirits centers on Susan, a cemetery tour guide with an inquisitive mind, who joins forces with a steampunk-inspired survivalist, a geeky spirit photographer, and a retired pathologist. After a tornado disrupts the quiet of Oakland Cemetery, this group sets out to investigate unsettling phenomena and buried mysteries.
As they traverse monuments and mausolea, the line between the living and the dead, the present and the past, blurs. While the premise promises an eerie detective journey in a historic setting, the play’s narrative development struggles at times to keep its thematic focus sharp.
Performances — Energetic Ensemble With Standout Moments
The cast of Freed Spirits delivers performances that elevate even the more meandering moments of the script.
- Suehyla El‑Attar (Susan) brings inquisitive intelligence and warmth to the role of the tour guide, balancing curiosity with vulnerability. Her presence often anchors other characters and helps ground the audience when the narrative drifts.
- Marguerite Hannah shines with sharp comedic timing and expressive reactions, adding life to otherwise introspective scenes.
The ensemble’s chemistry contributes to the play’s eclectic tone, from lighthearted banter to eerie tension. Though the script sometimes falters in coherence, the actors’ dedication and engagement keep the production lively and emotionally accessible.
Production Design — Atmosphere and Visual Style
Image source: WNCW
One of Freed Spirits’ greatest strengths is its production design.
The lighting, sound, and set elements bring Oakland Cemetery to life onstage. Atmospheric fog, dramatic lighting, and evocative soundscapes immerse the audience in an eerie haunted environment that feels both spooky and visually striking.
These design elements help offset narrative pacing issues, making the physical world of the play one of its most memorable components. When the production leans into mood and environment, it creates moments of genuine theatrical magic.
Themes and Ideas Explored
Freed Spirits plays with several thematic ideas that give it depth beyond surface-level spooky entertainment:
History and Memory
The setting in Oakland Cemetery isn’t just a backdrop; it serves as a metaphor for how the past continues to shape the present. The characters’ explorations reflect a search for truth in places forgotten or overlooked.
Human Connection in Strange Places
The band of misfits — each with unusual skills and outlooks — gradually forms uneasy bonds. Their interactions suggest that connection and understanding can emerge in the unlikeliest contexts.
Mystery vs. Clarity
The fog surrounding the narrative mirrors the fog of the story itself: both characters and audience are often left guessing where history ends and legend begins.
These themes give audiences something to ponder, despite structural challenges in translating them into a cohesive storyline.
Critiques and Shortcomings
While Freed Spirits offers intriguing ideas and atmospheric elements, critics noted that its storytelling can be uneven. One review observed that while the setup is fun and the characters quirky, the narrative “takes a wrong turn early on and can never find its way out of the spooky mausoleums” — suggesting the play doesn’t always deliver on its initial promise.
The mystery at the heart of the story can feel diffuse at times, and certain thematic threads aren’t tied together as tightly as audiences might hope. These structural limitations prevent the play from fully realizing the potential of its imaginative premise.
Still, the production’s design and strong performances help carry the experience, offering enough engagement for viewers who appreciate theatrical experimentation.
Who Should See Freed Spirits?
Freed Spirits is a great fit for:
- Fans of supernatural or atmospheric theatre
- Audiences who enjoy ensemble casts with quirky personalities
- Theatre lovers seeking world premieres or original works
- Patrons interested in productions that emphasize mood and design
It’s less suited for those expecting a tightly plotted mystery or a clear, conventional narrative arc.
FAQs — What Audiences Want to Know
What genre is Freed Spirits?
It’s a supernatural mystery play with dark humor and atmospheric theatrical design.
How long is the performance?
The play runs around 1 hour and 45 minutes with an intermission.
Is Freed Spirits appropriate for all ages?
Because of spooky themes and atmospheric elements, it may be better suited to older teens and adults rather than young children.
Where does the play take place?
The action unfolds primarily within a theatrical representation of Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, creating a moody and immersive setting.
Final Thoughts — A Unique Experience With Room to Grow
Freed Spirits at Horizon Theatre is an original theatrical journey that combines mystery, humor, and atmosphere in a way that stands out from more conventional shows. Its haunted setting and quirky ensemble cast make for a memorable evening of theatre, even if the plot doesn’t always fully deliver the clarity it hints at.
For audiences willing to embrace a play that trades narrative precision for mood and character exploration, Freed Spirits offers a compelling night out. It’s a reminder that theatre doesn’t always have to be neat and predictable to be engaging — sometimes the spirits and stories that refuse to stay buried are the most interesting of all.