Stranger Things: The First Shadow
2023 play by Kate Trefry From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a play written by Kate Trefry from an original story by Matt & Ross Duffer, Jack Thorne and Trefry. The story serves as a prequel to the events of the television series Stranger Things. It first previewed on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14 at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End.[1][2]
| Stranger Things: The First Shadow | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Written by | Kate Trefry |
| Story by |
|
| Based on | Stranger Things by Matt & Ross Duffer |
| Directed by | Stephen Daldry, Justin Martin (Co-Director) |
| Date premiered | December 14, 2023 |
| Place premiered | Phoenix Theatre, London |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | |
| Setting | Hawkins, Indiana |
| Official site | |
Background
In July 2022, it was revealed that a spin-off stage play and a spin-off series were in the works.[3] The stage play was produced by Sonia Friedman, directed by Stephen Daldry,[4] and written by Kate Trefry,[5] based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Trefry.[6]
Production history
Summarize
Perspective
West End (2023)
On March 1, 2023, the show's title was announced as Stranger Things: The First Shadow.[7] The show began previews on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14, 2023, at the Phoenix Theatre.[8][1]
The production is directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, illusion design & visual effects by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, video design & visual effects by 59 Productions, movement direction by Coral Messam, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, casting by Jessica Ronane Casting CDG, international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan, Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates is technical director, with further creative team members to be announced.[9]
On September 20, 2023, the full cast was announced. The company will feature Oscar Lloyd as James Hopper Jr., Isabella Pappas as Joyce Maldonado, Chris Buckley as Bob Newby, Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, Patrick Vaill as Dr. Brenner, Ella Karuna Williams as Patty Newby, Michael Jibson as Victor Creel, and Lauren Ward as Virginia Creel.[10][1]
Broadway (2025)
On August 6, 2024, it was announced that the show would transfer to Broadway in Spring 2025. Previews began at the Marquis Theatre on March 28, 2025, while the play's official opening date was on April 22, 2025.[11][12] Louis McCartney was announced to be reprising the role of Henry Creel for the Broadway transfer in 2025.[13]
Principal cast and characters
| Character | West End[14] | Broadway[15] |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2025 | |
| James Hopper Jr. | Oscar Lloyd | Burke Swanson |
| Joyce Maldonado | Isabella Pappas | Alison Jaye |
| Bob Newby | Chris Buckley | Juan Carlos |
| Henry Creel | Louis McCartney | |
| Dr. Brenner | Patrick Vaill | Alex Breaux |
| Alan Munson | Max Harwood | Eric Weigand |
| Patty Newby | Ella Karuna Williams | Gabrielle Nevaeh |
| Victor Creel | Michael Jibson | T.R. Knight |
| Virginia Creel | Lauren Ward | Rosie Benton |
| Alice Creel | Imogen Turner | Poppy Lovell |
| Faith Delaney | ||
| Anika Boyle | Azalea Wolfe | |
| Lily Crawford | ||
| Chief Hopper | Shane Attwooll | Ted Koch |
| Lonnie Byers | Chase Brown | Logan Gould |
| Charles Sinclair | Ammar Duffus | Robert T. Cunningham |
| Ted Wheeler | Gilles Geary | Jamie Martin Mann |
| Karen Childress | Florence Guy | Dora Dolphin |
| Principal Newby | Matthew Pidgeon | Andrew Hovelson |
| Walter Henderson | Calum Ross | Ian Dolley |
| Claudia Yount | Maisie Norma Seaton | Shea Grant |
| Sue Anderson | Kemi Awoderu | Ayana Cymone |
Notable replacements
West End (2023-)
- Virginia Creel: Lauren O'Neil[16]
Awards and nominations
2024 West End production
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards[17] | Best New Play | Won | |
| Best Professional Debut Performance | Louis McCartney | Nominated | ||
| Best Casting Direction | Jessica Ronane | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Jon Clark | Nominated | ||
| Best Set Design | Miriam Buether | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound Design | Paul Arditti | Nominated | ||
| Best Video Design | 59 Productions | Nominated | ||
| Best Graphic Design | The Creative Partnership | Nominated | ||
| Laurence Olivier Awards[18] | Best Entertainment or Comedy Play | Won | ||
| Best Director | Stephen Daldry (Director), Justin Martin (co-director) | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Jon Clark | Nominated | ||
| Best Set Design | Miriam Buether (Set Design), 59 Productions (Video Design) | Won | ||
| Best Sound Design | Paul Arditti | Nominated | ||
2025 Broadway production
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Drama League Awards[19] | Outstanding Production of a Play | Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Pending |
| Distinguished Performance | Louis McCartney | Pending | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards[20] | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Pending | |
| Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play | Louis McCartney | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Direction of a Play | Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Scenic Design | Miriam Buether, Jamie Harrison, and Chris Fisher | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Jon Clark | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Sound Design | Paul Arditti | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Video/Projections | 59 | Pending |
References
External links
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