"Stranger Things: The First Shadow," a prequel to the popular Netflix series, is set to debut on Broadway in the spring of 2025. Previews will begin at the Marquis Theatre on March 28, with an official opening night in April.
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| The London production of 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow.' Manuel Harlan |
Produced by Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions, the play originally premiered in London's West End in December 2023, where it continues to run.
Written by Kate Trefry, the play features younger versions of beloved characters from the series, including Joyce, Bob Newby, and Hopper, portrayed in the television show by Winona Ryder, Sean Astin, and David Harbour, respectively.
The plot of "Stranger Things: The First Shadow" is set in Hawkins, 1959, before the world turned upside down. The production describes the story as centered around familiar characters dealing with everyday challenges: Young Jim Hopper struggles with a car that won't start, Bob Newby's sister dismisses his radio show, and Joyce Maldonado is eager to graduate and leave town.
However, the arrival of a new student, Henry Creel, brings unexpected challenges, as his family discovers that escaping the shadows of the past is not as easy as they hoped.
The Duffer brothers, creators of the original Stranger Things series, are credited with the story for the play, alongside Kate Trefry and Jack Thorne, the latter known for his work on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Shawn Levy, executive producer of Stranger Things, and Dan Cohen of Levy's company 21 Laps, serve as associate producers on the production.
Stephen Daldry, known for directing The Inheritance on Broadway and serving as an executive producer on The Crown, co-directs "Stranger Things: The First Shadow" with Justin Martin, who directed Jodie Comer in Prima Facie in the West End. Casting details for the Broadway production will be announced at a later date.
The West End production of "Stranger Things: The First Shadow" received positive reviews, particularly for its stage effects. It won the 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play and Best Set Design.
Netflix ventured into Broadway producing last season with Patriots, a play by Peter Morgan, creator of The Crown. The production, which ran from April 22 to June 23 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, is set to be developed into a screen adaptation.
