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‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ Review – Broadway Prequel Is a Mind-Bending Spectacle That Brings the Upside Down to Life
Apr
The Upside Down has officially hit Broadway — and it’s jaw-dropping.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the long-awaited prequel to Netflix’s sci-fi hit, opened Tuesday at the Marquis Theatre in New York, bringing 1950s Hawkins, Indiana, to life with a stunning blend of visual illusions, nostalgia, and horror. The production, already an Olivier Award winner in London’s West End, is an immersive theatrical event that will thrill both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
A Chilling Origin Story
Set in 1958, The First Shadow follows a teenage Henry Creel (played with eerie brilliance by Louis McCartney), who arrives in Hawkins with his family and tries to fit in at his new high school. But Henry is no ordinary teen. Dark forces have already begun to creep into his life — and his mind — setting him on a path that fans of Stranger Things know all too well.
Written by Kate Trefry with story contributions from the Duffer Brothers and Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), the play unfolds as a standalone tragedy — one that deepens the franchise’s lore while delivering a pulse-pounding theatrical ride.
Familiar Faces, Younger and Bolder
Audiences will recognize younger versions of beloved characters, including Joyce Maldonado (Alison Jaye), Jim Hopper (Burke Swanson), and Bob Newby (Juan Carlos). But it’s Gabrielle Nevaeh’s Patty Newby, Bob’s sister and Henry’s love interest, who truly steals the spotlight alongside McCartney.
Their chemistry anchors the play emotionally, offering a heartbreaking “what if” as Henry wrestles with love, fear, and the darkness growing within him.
“Can love defeat fear?” Joyce asks — a line that becomes the emotional core of the story.
A Theatrical Marvel Worth the Hype
The real showstopper? The stagecraft. Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher’s illusions turn the theater into a haunted dimension, complete with Mind Flayers descending from the ceiling, capsizing ships, and visual effects that blur the line between the real world and the Upside Down. With help from Miriam Buether’s sets and studio 59’s video design, the audience is swept into a world of shadow, mystery, and supernatural chaos.
Even with a hefty runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes, the show flies by under the direction of Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin. The only catch? It rarely slows down enough to let audiences fully absorb its details. Some second-act choices feel rushed, and a few comedic beats break tension rather than deepen the story.
Final Verdict: A Must-See for Fans and Theater Lovers
Despite minor stumbles, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is an ambitious, breathtaking piece of theater. Whether you’re a Stranger Things superfan hungry for lore or just a theatergoer looking for your next can’t-miss production, this is a Broadway blockbuster worth your time.
Bring your walkman, your Eggos, and maybe a friend to squeeze during the jump scares — the Upside Down has never looked this alive.
