Stranger Things Brings the Upside Down to Broadway

ABLUpdated 1 week Ago2 Mins read4

Stranger Things is heading back to the US after debuting in the London West End. The spin-off prequel play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow comes to Broadway on April 22. Does it mean we’re getting Demogorgon puppets on stage? Someone call the Jim Henson Creature Shop! Here’s everything we know about the upcoming play and how it’s all connected to the kids from Hawkins, Indiana.

How does the play relate to the Netflix show?

Strange Things: First Shadow is a prequel play set in 1959 in the same town as the Netflix series. Per the play’s description, it’ll follow a teenage version of season four villain Henry Creel, who moves to Hawkins and joins the school play; his family hopes he can get some sort of fresh start away from his troubled past. But alas, this is Stranger Things, so nothing stays normal as Creel begins to confront the demons inside of him. The play is written by Stranger Things writer Kate Trefry and was written around the same time as season five was written, so it’s canon and connected to the upcoming final season. Maybe a few Easter eggs were snuck in.

Oh, Creel is in this?

Yes! Creel, who’s been the overarching evil force throughout the series, is the main star of the show. As quick refresher, in season four it was revealed that Creel is mystery force ruling the Upside Down. He was the first child experiment, at the time known as One, who eventually befriended Eleven, killed a bunch of people, asked Eleven to join him, and got mad when she didn’t. Through the series, his identity was slowly uncovered, he was formerly the Mind Frayer before it was revealed he’s just a guy named Henry. A guy who’s evil!

Anyone else we recognize?

There’s a few other familiar faces, mostly the Stranger Things parents as high schoolers. We get to see a young Jim Hopper and Bob Newby. Will and Jonathan’s parents Lonnie and Joyce Myers, Nancy and Mike’s parents Karen and Red, Lucas and Erica’s parents Sue and Charles, Dustin’s mom Claudia, and Eddie’s dad Al. It’s like Back to the Future but scarier!

Isn’t Max on Broadway right now?

She is, and for obvious reasons answered in the word “prequel,” Sadie Sink isn’t on this show. If you do want to make it a double feature, check out John Proctor Is the Villain.

How can we see the show?

Previews are currently running, and the official opening is on April 22 at Marquis Theatre. However, if you can’t make it to New York, you can check out the BTS special Behind the Curtain on Netflix on April 15.