Stranger Things: The First Shadow
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Cititour.com Review
Many people agree with the age-old maxim that “too much of a good thing is still a good thing,” But when it comes to “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” now making its Broadway premiere at the Marquis Theatre, I suspect there will be little consensus regarding that so-called truism.
Superfans of the popular Netflix series, for which the show acts as a prequel, may leave the theater thoroughly delighted by this technologically spectacular entertainment, complete with Demigorgons, Mind Flayers and other supernatural effects (brilliantly brought to life by co-directors Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, set designer Miriam Buether, and a crackerjack creative team, many of whom I imagine will be honored at the Tony Awards!)
But a lot of other audience members – especially anyone without any knowledge of the series – will more likely be mentally and physically exhausted by this overstuffed, overcomplicated and overlong (at nearly three hours) extravaganza. Moreover, even regular watchers of the series may fail to fully understand the unnecessarily convoluted plot dreamed up by series writer Kate Trefry (who is responsible for the script), series creators The Duffer Brothers, and Tony Award winner Jack Thorne (also responsible for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”)
Once again, we’re in the realm of the origin story; in this case, exploring the teenage years of Henry Creel (a superb Louis McCartney, serving up an astounding emotional and physical performance) – who during the last season of “Stranger Things” was revealed to be the uber-evil Vecna, a humanoid with dangerous psychic powers.
But here, it’s just 1959, the year when unhappy 16-year-old Henry and his family –alcoholic father Victor (an underused T.R. Knight), controlling, pill-popping mother Virginia (Rosie Benton) and little sister Alice (a barely-seen Azalea Wolfe at my performance) – first move to the quaint small town of Hawkins, Indiana after Henry has blinded (accidentally?) a young man in his original hometown of Lincoln Township, Nevada.
In one of the script’s cleverer touches, Henry is introduced to teen citizens of Hawkins, first through the school’s “picture day” and then by being cast as the lead in the school play. Many of the characters we encounter during these sequences will figure in the actual “Stranger Things” series (set in the 1980s), including the excitable Joyce Maldonado (a delicious Alison Jaye), her inamoratas, rebellious bad boy-turned policeman James Hopper Jr. (a perfectly cast Burke Swanson) and loudmouthed Lonnie Byers (an effective Logan Gould), along with a handful of others.
However, Henry’s primary relationship is with someone who is not part of the TV series: Patricia Newby (an appealing Gabrielle Neveah), the “adopted” daughter of the school’s strict principal (Andrew Hovelson) and brother of nerdy young inventor Bob Newby (Juan Carlos). Henry, who is essentially both good and evil at heart, makes it his mission to reunite Patricia with her long-lost mother (Ta’Rea Campbell).
Unfortunately, this well-intentioned plan results in all sorts of havoc being unleashed in Hawkins – which in turn, leads Henry to be put in the care of the amoral Dr. Brenner (a creepy Alex Breaux), whose significance in this tale is well-known to watchers of the series long before it’s revealed here.
Had the show stuck to a simpler version of this story, it might have been more effective. However, so much goes on visually and verbally – especially an overwhelming if brief opening sequence set during World War II that seems tangentially connected to the plot – you’ll likely feel (perhaps on purpose) that the Marquis has become the “upside down.” Or a theme park. Your pick!
I should also note that, while I am not a parent, the show’s dark matter feels unsuitable for the many pre-tween members of the audience I witnessed. I imagine they’ll have nightmares about all the dead pets and scary monsters on stage.
Personally, though, after seeing “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” I had nightmares about mega-corporations taking over Broadway and providing us with sub-par theatrical product.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
https://broadway.strangerthingsonstage.com/
Open/Close Dates
Opening 4/22/2025
Closing Open-ended
Theatre Info
Marquis Theatre
1535 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
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