The hit London play Stranger Things: The First Shadow is coming to work its magic on Broadway: Producers Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions announced today the production will begin previews at the Marquis Theatre on Friday, March 28, 2025 and officially open Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Directed by Stephen Daldry (TV’s The Crown, Broadway’s The Inheritance) and co-director Justin Martin (Broadway’s Prima Facie, The Inheritance), Stranger Things: The First Shadow is based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Kate Trefry, written by Kate Trefry and rooted in the mythology and world of the TV series.
Broadway casting has not been announced. A Broadway trailer for the production was released today – watch it below.
Here’s the official synopsis: Before the world turned upside down. Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy…and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.
The West End production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow won two 2024 Olivier Awards – Best Entertainment Play and Best Set Design – and is a stand-alone play that shows the beginnings of the Stranger Things story.
Deadline first reported plans to move the show to Broadway in December, and Broadway audition notices posted in March further suggested the news.
According to the auditions posting, the following roles were up for grabs: Henry Creel, Patty Newby, Joyce Moldonado, James Hopper Jr., Bob Newby, Dr. Brenner, Victor Creel, Virginia Creel, Chief Hopper, Lonnie Byers, Walter Henderson, Alan Munson, Charles Sinclair, Ted Wheeler, Sue Anderson, Karen Childress, Claudia Henderson and Alice Creel.
The Broadway production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow will feature 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 & visual effects by Jamie Harrison & Chris Fisher, video design & visual effects by 59, choreography by Coral Messam, movement direction by Lynne Page, and wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates. The technical director is Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, and casting by Jim Carnahan.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is produced by Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions. The Duffer