MAGGIE MOLAND as Regan in Golden West College’s production of “The Exorcist” (GWC photo).

By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune

The tranquility of the preceding calm in a horror story is often proportional to the depths of the true horror itself.

This show is no exception.

In a bold showing befitting the Hallow’s season of shadows and superstition, Golden West College’s Mainstage Theater is presenting, for one week only, the Orange County premiere of “The Exorcist,” only the third time that the classic horror story has been adapted for the stage (and just before it is to move on to Broadway itself.)

Directed by Tom Amen (who’s made a habit of staging fantastic, often thought-provoking horror productions that often subvert the genre, as well as audience expectations), “The Exorcist” introduces the audience to young Regan  (Maggie Moland) and her actress mother Chris (Amanda Zarr). The pair have a warm and loving relationship, despite the lack of Regan’s neglectful father in her life.

As the young girl’s twelfth birthday is nigh, Chris has to head off to set for her newest film, promising to return soon to celebrate with her beloved daughter… but in her absence, a shadow looms across her household. Beginning with Regan’s discovery of a mysterious red-boxed gift, addressed to her and sitting in the middle of the empty attic, strange and ominous events begin to unfold.

Within the box lies a Ouija board: often used as a party game, but sometimes used to commune with the spirits of the dead… or so they say. Soon, the planchet is sailing across the board, letter by letter as the young girl plays with it to see who may talk back… and talk back it does, as it introduces the playful, mischievous “Captain Howdy”.

Meanwhile, one man’s personal tragedy is fueling an intense crisis of faith, as Father Damien (Lawrence Hemingway) mourns the recent passing of his mother, wracked with guilt for not being able to provide her a better care in her last days. He even confides in his friend, Father Joe (Giovanni Navarro) that he’s debating whether or not to leave the priesthood.

Regan’s mother is perturbed when she finds her daughter has been playing with the strange game, assuming the gift was left by her associate, Burker (Christopher Spencer), who claims no knowledge of it. And there seems to be a gradual, unsettling shift in the young girl’s behavior, as she begins to let slip an epithet or two, which becomes a frightening flood of vulgarity, as well as truly disturbing comments to Chris and the other adults.

Even though she’s not religious, Chris is reaching her wits’ end with her daughter, struggling to find any way to bring her innocent little girl back to her… but when the rational explanations cease to serve, more desperate measures become necessary. Can the young woman in crisis somehow be brought back from these shadows, seemingly devouring her very soul?

As previously mentioned, director Tom Amen makes a regular habit of staging striking productions of horror-based tales around this season, often challenging his audiences with his work (a filmed version of his outstanding production of “Oedipus Rex” can still be viewed at gwctheater.com/Oedipus-rex-2021-22/ .) But even with such a bleak topic as child’s possession by a demonic force, it’s the interaction and depth of the characters that moves the viewer.

Maggie Moland’s Regan is legitimately terrifying. The initially slow, then rapid descent into madness/possession and the drastic change in the girl’s demeanor will shock the audience, especially her later interactions with her struggling mother Chris (another brilliant, moving performance by Amanda Zarr, after her amazing showings in “Hamlet” and “On the Exhale” at Golden West.)

Spencer’s Burke is a brilliant, drunken and charming cad (hopefully audiences get to see more of the actor’s work on the GWC stage in future): Hemingway’s Father Damien has a remarkable presence, beautifully realized as the troubled priest, wrestling his own demons as he wraps the tattered remains of his faith around him to protect from this diabolical force.

One character yet to be mentioned here is that of the steadfast exorcist himself, Father Merrin, played with verve by the exceptional Scott Keister: while virtually a cameo in the production, his scenes are gripping, often disturbing, but in the best possible way that a horror story should be.

A stunning, powerful production, “The Exorcist” is a must-see for all fans of the horror genre, one that will leave audiences questioning whether Regan is in psychological crisis or demonic: either way, the terror is real.

“The Exorcist”, Maggie Moland, Amanda Zarr and Lawrence Hemingway star in this terrifying staging of the disturbing horror classic. Now playing through October 15 at the Golden West College Mainstage Theater, 15751 Gothard St., Huntington Beach, CA 92647. Tickets available through the box office at 714-895-8150, x1 or at www.gwctheater.com. Mature content and language, not for children.