Hawkins 101: A Guide to STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW for Fans and First-Timers
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is running now at the Marriott Marquis Theatre.
By: A.A. Cristi Apr. 19, 2025
This season, Broadway is getting turned Upside Down with the arrival of the thrilling new spectacle, Stranger Things: The First Shadow!
Whether you're a longtime devotee of Stranger Things or someone who's never set foot in Hawkins, The First Shadow offers a thrilling theatrical experience that stands entirely on its own. Set decades before the events of the hit Netflix series, this stage prequel dives into a chilling new story rooted in small-town mystery, emotional upheaval, and the slow creep of the supernatural.
With a blend of jaw-dropping stagecraft, heart-wrenching performances, and narrative twists that enrich the broader Stranger Things universe,but don’t require any homework,this guide will help you navigate the play’s characters, context, and connections.
Whether you're here for the spectacle, the storytelling, or to decode the show's deeper mythology, you’re in the right place.
Stranger Things - A Beginner's Guide
*Some series spoilers ahead*
What is Stranger Things about?
Set in Hawkins, Indiana, in the 1980s, Stranger Things follows a group of young friends,Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will,who encounter mysterious supernatural forces after Will vanishes into a dark parallel dimension known as the Upside Down. Joined by Eleven, a girl with extraordinary psychic powers who escapes from a secret government lab, they confront terrifying monsters, government conspiracies, and personal struggles.
As the story progresses, the kids, alongside teens Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, and newcomer Max, and adults like Joyce Byers and Sheriff Jim Hopper, battle increasingly powerful threats from the Upside Down, including creatures like the Demogorgon, Mind Flayer, and Vecna. Season 4 reveals Vecna as a powerful villain linked to the Upside Down, who manipulates trauma and grief to prey on the vulnerable, a plot point tied to the events of The First Shadow.
The series blends supernatural horror, nostalgic '80s pop culture, friendship, and coming-of-age drama, exploring themes of loyalty, courage, love, and resilience.
Is Stranger Things friendly to Broadway fans?
Several Stranger Things cast members have strong Broadway backgrounds that enrich their on-screen performances. Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) starred in Les Misérables, Dear Evan Hansen, and Sweeney Todd, while Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) played Young Simba in The Lion King. Sadie Sink (Max) portrayed Annie in Annie and a young Queen Elizabeth in The Audience alongside Helen Mirren. David Harbour (Hopper) earned a Tony nomination for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and appeared in The Coast of Utopia and more. Even Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler) has Broadway roots, having understudied in The Rose Tattoo.
Where can I watch Stranger Things?
Seasons 1-4 of the supernatural thriller are all available for streaming on Netflix. As of April 2025, the streamer announced that the fifth and final season is set to premiere later this year.
(Photo: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Broadway)
About Stranger Things: The First Shadow
When and where is Stranger Things: The First Shadow set?
Set in 1959 in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the play explores events and characters that precede the timeline of the television show, making it accessible and engaging for audiences unfamiliar with the series.
What is Stranger Things: The First Shadow about?
The narrative centers on the Creel family, who have recently moved to Hawkins seeking a fresh start. The family consists of Victor Creel (portrayed by T.R. Knight), his wife Virginia Creel (Rosie Benton), and their teenage son Henry Creel (Louis McCartney). Henry is eager to escape his troubled past and integrate into his new community. He enrolls at Hawkins High School, where he befriends Patty Newby (Gabrielle Nevaeh), the adopted daughter of Principal Newby (Andrew Hovelson). Patty encourages Henry to join the school play, "Dark of the Moon," directed by fellow student Joyce Maldonado (Alison Jaye). As Henry attempts to settle into his new life, a series of mysterious and disturbing events unfold, including the unexplained deaths of local animals. These incidents lead Henry to confront unsettling truths about himself and his family's history. The play delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of a seemingly ordinary town.
Is the The First Shadow friendly to non-Stranger Things fans?
Yes,audiences unfamiliar with Stranger Things can absolutely enjoy The First Shadow as a standalone theatrical experience! The play functions as a prequel set decades before the Netflix series, focusing on new characters and early events that don’t require prior knowledge. Characters like Henry Creel, Jim Hopper, and Joyce Maldonado are introduced fresh, making it easy for newcomers to connect with their stories without previous context.
Other entry points for those not properly acquainted with the series include a narrative dealing in the universal themes of family struggles, teenage identity, belonging, and confronting inner darkness, thrilling special effects, and immersive storytelling.
(Photo: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, West End)
For Fans of the Series
Will Stranger Things: The First Shadow impact Season 5 of Stranger Things?
Though Broadway history is littered with adaptations of all kinds, The First Shadow is a brand new sort of theatrical experience. In a first-of-its-kind approach, the narrative of the play will bring fans and newcomers alike deeper into the origins of key characters and events that shape the later developments in the series. Kate Trefry, a writer for both the play and the television series, has indicated that "The First Shadow" is intricately linked to the upcoming fifth season of Stranger Things.
Fans unable to make the trip to catch the show in London or New York, fear not! While The First Shadow offers additional context and depth to the Stranger Things universe, familiarity with the play is NOT essential to understand any aspect of the television series. Tha being said, experiencing the play may enhance one's appreciation of the characters' complexities and the series' overarching mythology.
What can Stranger Things fans expect from the show?
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A deep dive into the origins of Vecna: Season 4 of Stranger Things delivered one of the great television villains of all-time with the introduction of the ultra-baddie, Vecna (portrayed onscreen by Jamie Campbell Bower). As Stranger Things fans know, Vecna started his life as Henry Creel, a mild-mannered (and deeply creepy) kid with an extraordinary gift and a bizarre fixation on spiders. The play portrays Henry's early experiences and the factors leading to his transformation, providing a deeper understanding of his motivations and the origins of his powers.
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The gang's mostly here!: Though ST fans will have to wait for season five to see the thrilling conclusion of the series' merry band of preteen supernatural avengers, audience members who pass through The First Shadow will encounter younger versions of a few of their Hawkins faves. Featured in the cast are younger versions of Jim Hopper (portrayed onscreen by Tony-nominee David Harbour), Joyce Maldonado (later Byers, portrayed by Winona Ryder onscreen), Bob Newby (portrayed in Season 2 by recent Broadway newcomer, Sean Astin), Dr. Martin Brenner (played onscreen by Matthew Modine), and other familiar characters from the series. This exploration offers insights into their formative years and the dynamics that shaped their relationships and personalities.
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More background intel on Upside Down: Though Hawkins, Indiana is now well known for its portal to another dimension affectionately termed, "the Upside Down," the play introduces early instances of supernatural occurrences in Hawkins, laying the groundwork for the events depicted in the TV series. It examines the town's initial encounters with otherworldly phenomena, setting the stage for future conflicts.
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It comes with a documentary!: Netflix recently released a trailer announcing an official documentary about the show titled “Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” which will give fans a look backstage at the making of the West End stage play, which opened at London’s Phoenix Theater in December 2023. The documentary will premiere on Netflix on April 15.
