The hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” is set to make its Broadway debut with “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.” This three-hour play, which is currently running in London, serves as a prequel, taking audiences back to 1959, 24 years before the events of the beloved streaming show.
Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, “The First Shadow” explores the high school lives of some adult characters from the series. The production is scheduled to begin previews on March 28 and officially open on April 22 at the Marquis Theater in New York City.
Mixed Reviews
Since its London debut in December, the play has received mixed reviews. Critics from British publications have praised its production. Dominic Maxwell of the Sunday Times described it as “a tremendous technical feat that is also moving, amusing and surprising,” while the Daily Telegraph’s Dominic Cavendish called it “the theatrical event of the year.” However, not all feedback has been positive. The New York Times critic Houman Barekat referred to it as “a gaudy, vertiginous fairground ride of a play.”
Despite the varied reviews, the London production has found success, attracting a significant number of first-time theatergoers drawn in by their interest in the “Stranger Things” narrative. The show has already won two Olivier Awards for best new entertainment and for set and video design.
Talent Behind the Curtain
The play features a talented team, including writer Kate Trefry, who has also contributed to the Netflix series. It is based on a story written by Trefry, the Duffer Brothers and Tony Award-winning playwright Jack Thorne, known for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
The production is directed by Stephen Daldry, a three-time Tony Award winner, known for works like “The Inheritance,” “Billy Elliot” and “An Inspector Calls.” Daldry is co-directing alongside Justin Martin.
As the creative team prepares to bring “The First Shadow” to Broadway, they are considering potential changes to the narrative and technical elements of the production, ensuring it resonates with New York audiences.
Netflix is a lead producer of “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” alongside Sonia Friedman, a prominent figure in Broadway and West End productions. As the excitement builds for this new theatrical endeavor, fans of the series eagerly await a chance to experience the story of Hawkins from a fresh perspective on stage.
With “Stranger Things” entering the world of live theater, fans are sure to find some new surprises waiting in the shadows.
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