Read the Reviews for Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Broadway has officially entered the Upside Down. Stranger Things: The First Shadow opened on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre April 22, after beginning previews March 28. Read the critics' reviews below.

Based on the an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Kate Trefry, and set in the world of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, the play is penned by Trefry, directed by Stephen Daldry, and co-directed by Justin Martin.

The play takes place in Hawkins, Indiana in 1959, when a young Henry Creel moves to town. The play explores how he goes from an awkward young man with some mysterious powers to the demonic Vecna, the ruler of the Upside Down. The First Shadow also features high school versions of Stranger Things characters Jim Hopper, Bob Newby, and Joyce Maldonado. The work premiered at London's Phoenix Theatre in 2023.

A documentary about the making of the play is also currently available to stream on Netflix.

Here's why �뵺�� thinks you should see the show.

Read the reviews below.

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Louis McCartney reprises his West End performance as Henry Creel, with Rosie Benton as Virginia Creel, Alex Breaux as Dr. Brenner, Andrew Hovelson as Principal Newby, Alison Jaye as Joyce Maldonado, Emmy nominee T.R. Knight as Victor Creel, Emmy nominee Gabrielle Nevaeh as Patty Newby, Juan Carlos as Bob Newby, and Burke Swanson as James Hopper, Jr.

How Writer Kate Trefry Took Netflix's Stranger Things From Screen to Stage

They are supported by Janie Brookshire, Kelsey Anne Brown, Malcolm Callender, Ta'Rea Campbell as Patty’s Mom, Antoinette Comer, Robert T. Cunningham as Charles Sinclair, Ayana Cymone as Sue Anderson, Tom D'Agustino, Victor de Paula Rocha, Ian Dolley as Walter Henderson, Dora Dolphin as Karen Childress, Nya Garner, Logan Gould as Lonny Byers, Shea Grant as Claudia Yount, Rebecca Hurd, Ted Koch as Chief Hopper, Timothy Lawrence, Jamie Martin Mann as Ted Wheeler, Patrick Scott McDermott, Stephen Wattrus, Maya West, Eric Wiegand as Alan Munson, Graham Winton, Poppy Lovell, and Azalea Wolfe.

The Broadway run features set design by Miriam Buether; costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel; lighting design by Jon Clark; sound design by Paul Arditti; original music composition, orchestration, arrangements, and supervision by D.J. Walde; illusions design and visual effects by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher; video design and visual effects by 59; choreography by Coral Messam; movement direction by Lynne Page; and wigs, hair, and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates. The technical director is Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, casting is by Jim Carnahan, and U.K. casting is by Jessica Ronane.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow continues its run at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End. The U.K. production received two Olivier Awards, including Best Entertainment or Comedy Play and Best Set Design.

The play is produced by Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions. The Duffer Brothers act as creative producers, with 21 Laps Entertainment as associate producer.

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