“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” has announced a Broadway premiere. The new play will begin previews on March 28, 2025, and open on April 22 at the Marquis Theatre. Three-time Tony winner Stephen Daldry will direct and Justin Martin will co-direct the transfer from the currently running West End production. Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions will produce.
Inspired by the science fiction Netflix series “Stranger Things” and written by Kate Trefry, the play is based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Tony Award winner Jack Thorne and Trefry. A prequel to the events of the television series, “The First Shadow” follows the young inhabitants of the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, as the arrival of a new student turns their world upside down.
The Broadway mounting will mark only the second time the Marquis Theatre has hosted a straight play in the venue’s 38-year history (a Patrick Stewart-led solo version of “A Christmas Carol” played the theater in 2001). The play’s West End production opened at London’s Phoenix Theatre on Dec. 14, 2023, and was nominated for five Olivier Awards, winning two: for Best Entertainment and Best Set Design.
The Duffer Brothers — identical twins Matt and Ross — created the original “Stranger Things” series, while Trefry serves as a writer and its executive producer. No stranger to adapting established characters to the stage, Thorne won the 2018 Best Play Tony for penning “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
Daldry won Tonys for helming 1994’s “An Inspector Calls,” 2008’s “Billy Elliot” and 2019’s “The Inheritance,” and was nominated for directing the 2015 revival of “Skylight.” Martin has frequently collaborated with Daldry, having served as associate director on “The Inheritance” and “Skylight;” he directed 2023’s “Prima Facie.”
D.J. Walde will compose original music for “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” and serve as orchestrator, arranger and music supervisor. Coral Messam will serve as choreographer, while Lynne Page will provide movement direction.
The creative team for “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” will include Tony-nominated scenic designer Miriam Buether; Tony-winning costume designer Brigitte Reiffenstuel; Tony-winning lighting designer Jon Clark; Tony-winning sound designer Paul Arditti; wigs, hair and makeup designer Campbell Young Associates; illusions designers Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher; and video designer 59. Harrison, Fisher and 59 will also provide visual effects. Technical direction will be provided by Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates.
Casting, by Jim Carnahan, will be announced at a later date.
The production has released a trailer for the upcoming Broadway bow:
The Duffer Brothers will serve as creative producers for “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” with 21 Laps Entertainment as associate producer.
