Broadway is about to get turned upside down.
Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions have released the official first look at Stranger Things: The First Shadow as the much-anticipated stage production begins performances tonight at New York’s Marquis Theatre. Following a record-breaking, award-winning run in London’s West End, the immersive theatrical event is now ready to captivate U.S. audiences.
The show arrives on Broadway with a serious pedigree, winning two Olivier Awards, including Best Entertainment and Best Set Design, and earning praise as “a game-changing experience” (The Daily Telegraph). With its cinematic spectacle and theatrical innovation blend, The First Shadow promises a bold new chapter in the Stranger Things universe.
A Shadow From the Past
Set in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things: The First Shadow follows a young Henry Creel, a troubled teen trying to rebuild his life in a town about to uncover its darkest secrets. When a string of shocking crimes shatters Hawkins’ peace, Henry finds himself at the center of a chilling mystery—one that might reveal whether monsters are born or made.
Written by Kate Trefry, with an original story by The Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry, the stage production is directed by Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot) with co-direction from Justin Martin.
“The challenge is to create a visceral experience for the audience,” says Daldry. “There are moments in the show where you will think, I don’t understand how they did that.”
The Duffer Brothers echo the excitement:
“The first time we saw the play, we were blown away,” says Ross Duffer. “They pulled everything off, and then some,” adds Matt Duffer.
A New Documentary Pulls Back the Curtain
To celebrate the Broadway debut, Netflix will premiere a brand-new documentary, Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, on April 15, exclusively on the platform. Directed by Jon Halperin and produced by Angus Wall, Kent Kubena, and Terry Leonard, the film offers intimate, behind-the-scenes access as the cast and crew prepare for the show’s West End opening.
This insider’s look at the play’s journey from script to stage explores the creative risks, logistical feats, and emotional stakes behind bringing the Stranger Things mythology to live theater.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Documentary Announcement
A Theatrical Spectacle for the Streaming Age
Backed by Netflix and produced in partnership with Sonia Friedman Productions, The First Shadow features a team of world-class creatives responsible for the production’s mind-bending visual effects, award-winning set design, and pulse-pounding score.
Production Design Team Highlights:
- Set Design: Miriam Buether
- Costume Design: Brigitte Reiffenstuel
- Lighting Design: Jon Clark
- Sound Design: Paul Arditti
- Original Music & Arrangements: D.J. Walde
- Illusions & Visual Effects: Jamie Harrison & Chris Fisher
- Choreography: Lynne Page, Coral Messam
- Video Design & VFX: 59 Productions
- Wigs, Hair & Makeup: Campbell Young Associates
- Casting: Jim Carnahan (Broadway), Jessica Ronane CDG (UK)
- Technical Direction: Gary Beestone Associates
With a cast of 34 performers, Stranger Things: The First Shadow stands as one of the most ambitious stage productions of the decade.
Tickets and Availability
Performances have officially begun at the Marquis Theatre in New York. Tickets start at $59.75 and are available now at www.StrangerThingsBroadway.com.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the hit Netflix series or a Broadway regular looking for your next must-see experience, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a theatrical event not to be missed.
The Poster
Documentary Details:
- Title: Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow
- Premiere Date: April 15, 2025
- Platform: Netflix
- Director: Jon Halperin
- Producers: Angus Wall, Kent Kubena, Terry Leonard
- Executive Producer: Matt Bell
Stage Production Details:
- Title: Stranger Things: The First Shadow
- Broadway Premiere: March 2025, Marquis Theatre
- Previous Run: Phoenix Theatre, London West End (Dec 2023–Sept 2025)
- Written by: Kate Trefry
- Original Story by: The Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, Kate Trefry
- Directed by: Stephen Daldry
- Co-Director: Justin Martin
- Produced by: Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions
- Associate Producer: 21 Laps Entertainment
- Awards: 2 Olivier Awards, Critics’ Circle Awards, WhatsOnStage Award