Meet the ‘Stranger Things' characters on stage in Broadway's The First Shadow prequel
Fans of Netflix's Stranger Things can now experience the supernatural drama live on stage with Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a Broadway prequel set in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana.
The play explores the origins of the Upside Down and introduces younger versions of familiar characters from the TV series, offering fresh insights for longtime viewers while remaining accessible to newcomers.
The story centers on Henry Creel, a reserved young boy with psychokinetic powers who later becomes the series' primary antagonist, Vecna. His transformation and the mysterious deaths in Hawkins are the play's focal points. Louis McCartney plays Henry, earning a 2025 Tony nomination for his role.
Returning characters include a young Joyce Maldonado (later Joyce Byers), Bob Newby, and Jim Hopper Jr., each navigating high school drama and eerie supernatural events. The cast also features the teenage versions of Karen and Ted Wheeler, Claudia Yount and Walter Henderson, and Sue Anderson and Charles Sinclair — the future parents of key characters in the TV show.
Broadway newcomer Patty Newby, not seen in the TV series, plays a significant role in Henry's early life, forming a deep connection with him as his powers emerge.
Dr. Martin Brenner appears as a younger version of the controversial scientist, exploring his early experiments with Henry. The show also features live-action stage interpretations of fan-favorite monsters, including the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer, offering audiences theatrical jump scares and impressive stage effects.
Directed with cinematic flair and packed with Easter eggs, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a must-see for fans awaiting season 5 of the Netflix series.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Tyler Perry's Straw divides audiences with emotional performances and flawed storytelling on Netflix
Tyler Perry's latest film, Straw, debuted June 6 on Netflix and is already stirring strong reactions. While praised by some viewers for its emotional intensity, the film has also drawn criticism for its forced plot and underwhelming production design. Written and directed by Perry, Straw follows Janiyah (played by Taraji P. Henson), a single mother enduring a string of hardships—losing her job, facing eviction, and clashing with a corrupt police officer—before finding herself entangled in a high-stakes confrontation at a bank. Screen Rant's Grant Hermanns critiques the film's plot for feeling overly contrived, stating that its attempts to build tension often come off as predictable and illogical. However, he acknowledges that Henson's emotionally charged performance adds a compelling depth to an otherwise uneven story. A dramatic twist involving a vision of police storming the bank and shooting Janiyah momentarily evokes sympathy, but is quickly reversed, weakening the film's emotional payoff. Hermanns also notes that despite moments of effective drama, the film's low production quality—reportedly filmed in just four days—detracts from its impact. Sets appear underdressed, and the cinematography lacks polish, making the experience feel visually flat. Still, Henson's performance is widely praised, with many agreeing she delivers a powerful portrayal of a woman pushed to her limits. Sherri Shepherd's supporting role as a compassionate bank manager also earned recognition. Audience reactions online are deeply divided. While some viewers resonate with the film's raw depiction of systemic struggles, others criticize its logic and execution. Whether seen as a flawed social drama or a necessary emotional outcry, Straw is undeniably sparking conversation—and controversy—on Netflix.
Express Tribune
15 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Live content unites Netflix fans worldwide
Netflix continues to add more live content for viewers hungry for real-time entertainment, including the Tyson vs Paul boxing match, National Football League games and, most recently, the Tudum live fan event that showcased upcoming TV shows. "This is the first time we've done the show in this way, a live format," Shelly Gillyard, VP of Series Marketing for the US and Canada, told Reuters at the Netflix Tudum fan event last Saturday. "Previous years were on the ground fan activations," Gillyard added. Tudum is named after the sound that plays before each Netflix film and series. For Netflix, it was important to ensure that they were incorporating talent from all over the world for the global fan event. More than 100 Netflix stars and creators appeared in the show hosted by actor Sofia Carson, who starred in the airport thriller Carry On. The first two Tudum events took place in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2020 and in 2023. However, for 2025, it was relocated to Los Angeles, California. The 2020 Netflix Tudum in Brazil drew 50,000 people in four days and the post-COVID numbers for the 2023 Brazil Tudum were 35,000. Gillyard said the live event could take place somewhere else in the future and Netflix is focused less on where it is held and more on making it available globally. With major titles like Squid Game, Stranger Things, Wednesday, and Emily in Paris, combined with a performance by Lady Gaga, the streamer capitalised on fan interest. One of the largest draws for viewers was the premiere date announcements for Emmy award-winning series Stranger Things. The livestreamed event revealed that Stranger Things will have a fifth and final season split into three parts, with part one on November 26, 2025, part two on December 25, 2025 and the series finale on December 31, 2025.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Austin's rapid aging in Ginny & Georgia season 3 sparks hilarious fan memes
Netflix's Ginny & Georgia has returned for its much-anticipated third season, but fans are pointing out a notable inconsistency in the timeline — specifically, the sudden aging of a key character. i fear ginny and georgia is going to have to recast the little brother because this is deeply unserious — chelsea (@oliviarodrgo) June 5, 2025 The comedy-drama, which follows single mother Georgia and her teenage daughter Ginny, picks up immediately after the dramatic season two finale, where Georgia is arrested at her wedding. However, viewers quickly noticed that Georgia's young son, Austin, looks significantly older — despite the storyline continuing just two days later. austin look like he married with taxes to pay and two kids of his own #ginnyandgeorgia — dopamine chaser (@siyyaniverse) June 5, 2025 austin ginny and georgia in his 3rd grade class — 𝒶 ✮⋆ (@6WRcybrgrl) June 5, 2025 They really threw some glasses on this grown 14 year old kid and said go on Austin be 9/10 years old😂🤣 Here for it😂#ginnyandgeorgia #ginnyandgeorgiaS3 — RealityPale (@RealityPale) June 5, 2025 Austin is portrayed by Diesel La Torraca, who has played the character since the series debuted in 2021. Now 14, La Torraca has visibly matured in the two-and-a-half years since season two aired, leading to what many fans are calling a distracting continuity gap. Addressing the issue in an interview with Teen Vogue, La Torraca said: 'I've definitely gotten much taller, and I look much older in the face… Honestly, we kind of ignore it a little bit! It's kind of just like… there's a 14-year-old sitting at the table with Harry Potter glasses on that's supposed to be nine. And that's okay!' Fans on X (formerly Twitter) have shared memes and jokes about the sudden shift. One post read: 'We gotta time jump eventually because Austin is about to be a 5th grade senior citizen.' Another quipped, 'They need to stop with these long breaks between seasons because it has made season 3 so inauthentic.'
