As fans across the world prepare for the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” they can still experience a new story set in Hawkins, Indiana by taking a trip to Broadway. The Duffer brothers have teamed up with television show writer, Kate Trefry to create “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a thrilling, nearly three hour Broadway play. Set 24 years before season one, the play tells the chilling story of how Henry Creel became Vecna.
From the start, the “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is a work of its own. The opening scene grips audiences with thrilling special effects: flashing lights, loud sounds, and pyrotechnics. A top secret government experiment regarding two battleships goes horribly wrong, creating a tear in the Upside Down (an alternate dimension with otherworldly beasts based on the game Dungeons and Dragons). The ship crashes and the scene changes from the captain’s deck to a shipwreck. Viewers are briefly introduced to the horrors of the Upside Down as the crew fights for survival against demogorgons. Something unique about these opening moments is the use of screens as the background. Unlike traditional broadway plays, this allows for a variety of different locations to be developed on the same stage.
The main characters of this play are : Henry Creel, his father Victor Creel, his mother Virginia Creel, and his younger sister Alice Creel. The family has just moved from Nevada to Hawkins, Indiana, the reason for this is Henry. Just from this opening scene, it is clear he is anything but normal and the rest of the family is frightened by him. Quiet, creepy, and eerie, Henry talks to himself and continuously tries to convince himself he is “normal” to no avail. He possesses supernatural powers, similar to Millie Bobby Brown’s character, Eleven, however his are more violent in nature.
The play progresses to Henry’s first day of high school at Hawkins High. Here, the rest of the characters are introduced. Since the show is a prequel, they are younger versions of the parents from the television series, a delight to fans. Joyce Byers, Jim Hopper, and Bob Newby to name a few. It’s entertaining to see how the young versions are practically identical to their older selves. Joyce is smart and witty while Hopper is argumentative and cynical. Bob’s adopted sister is also introduced, Patty Newby, a completely new character not present in the television series. The laugh out loud moments illustrate typical high school stereotypes and the chaos of a first day. This also sets up the main conflict of Henry trying to fit in, hide his powers and control them.
Multiple times the characters even come off the stage, breaking the boundaries and immersing the audience into the story. For example, after intermission, to get the audience’s focus back on the story, the lights went dark, the back doors of the theater opened, and actors walked the aisles in hazmat suits. They peered into the audience and even interacted with viewers. Henry also comes off the stage multiple times throughout the show, whenever he seems to be stressed.
The cast does a phenomenal job of bringing the characters and story to life. The acting feels natural and fresh, giving the play authenticity. Each actor fully embraces their characters, notably Louis McCartney who plays Henry. Even though by the end of the play audiences should resent Henry for becoming Vecna, McCartney makes the character relatable. We see Henry’s struggle not just within himself, but with his environment. Even his family tried to force him into societal standards just for their own sake of wanting to be normal. They encouraged Henry to convince himself he was “normal” without helping him. McCartney makes these elements build off one another, creating suspense until the moment he transforms into Vecna.
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” is truly a play that appeals to everyone: people with no knowledge of the show and long time fans of the series. The play has a storyline of its own and serves as a captivating introduction to Hawkins and the world of the Upside Down. Fans will be able to enjoy a new storyline, new characters, and easter eggs from the show. Meanwhile, newcomers will be able to dive headfirst into the mystery and thrill of “Stranger Things.” There is no foreseeable end to its Broadway run, but make sure to grab your tickets before the final season comes out in November!
