From the moment the curtain rises, Stranger Things: The First Shadow makes one thing very clear. This is not a novelty stage adaptation. It is a fully realized, ambitious expansion of the Stranger Things universe that feels immersive and surprisingly emotional.
What is Stranger Things: The First Shadow
The production serves as an official prequel to the beloved Netflix series from the Duffer Brothers, designed to enrich the story we’ve come to love on our home screens. It takes a deeper dive into Henry Creel’s life, long before he becomes the Vecna we know, back when he was just a student at Hawkins High. Go Tigers.
Set in 1959, the play introduces younger versions of characters we know and love. Jim Hopper Jr. struggles with his place in the world. Joyce Maldonado dreams of escaping Hawkins and directing the perfect high school production. There’s also Bob Newby, Then there is Henry and his family, arriving in town hoping for a fresh start, only to realize that the past is never really left behind.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow first premiered in London’s West End, with previews beginning in November 2023 and an official opening on December 14, 2023. A separate Broadway production opened in New York on April 22, 2025, with both productions currently set to run into 2026.
The production I witnessed took place on Broadway at the Marquis Theater.
Let’s Go to Broadway
The stage alone is jaw-dropping. The production design is massive, inventive, and constantly in motion, pulling the audience straight into Hawkins, Indiana in 1959. Add in sharp casting, confident performances, and a story that knows exactly when to slow down and when to terrify, and the result is a theatrical experience that rivals the scale of the Netflix series.
What makes The First Shadow truly special is how much insight it offers into Henry Creel. The play explores his early years in a way that feels intimate and unsettling, providing context that makes his eventual transformation into Vecna even more tragic. It is honestly a little frustrating that this storyline isn’t directly part of the TV series, given how informative and emotionally rich it is. That said, the play feels like a gift for fans who want to delve deeper into the mythology.
The pacing is perfect. The story moves confidently through Hawkins without ever feeling repetitive or bogged down by exposition. Longtime fans will appreciate the familiar names and references, while newcomers can walk in with no prior knowledge and still have a great time. There is romance, suspense, gore, and plenty of supernatural chaos, all the things audiences expect from Stranger Things.
My performance also came with a fun surprise. Alex Breaux, who plays Lt. Robert Akers in the TV series, took the stage as Dr. Brenner. Victor Creel was portrayed by the phenomenal T.R. Knight of Grey’s Anatomy, delivering a truly standout performance. The entire cast is killer, including Louis McCarthy as Henry and Gabrielle Navaeh as Patty Newby.
And yes, the Mind Flayer on stage is absolutely wild. It is an unforgettable visual moment that adds a much-needed wow factor, even in a show already packed with stunning effects. From military ship sequences to daring stunts and retro costumes, Stranger Things: The First Shadow proves that this world belongs on stage just as much as it does on screen.
