Stranger Things: The First Shadow Reviews Have Critics Raving About Broadway Play

The first reviews for the debut of Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway are now out. The acclaimed play originally debuted in December 2023 at the Phoenix Theatre in London. It boasts a talented star cast including Louis McCartney, Gabrielle Nevaeh, T.R. Knight, Alex Breaux, Rosie Benton, and many more.

Critics call Stranger Things: The First Shadow ‘astonishing’

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is penned by Kate Trefry. The play is based on the Netflix series Stranger Things, written by the Duffer Brothers and Jack Thorne and directed by Stephen Daldry. Its story sheds light on the life of the character Henry Creel before the events of the series.

Here is what critics are saying about the play:

Kyle Turner of New York Theatre Guide wrote, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a lot of show. It is at once possession horror, family melodrama, high school dramedy, Cold War thriller, and haunted house nightmare, lurching from one tone to the next scene by scene. It is astonishing simply for its scale, and never boring, if seldom technically or dramatically satisfying.”

Greg Evans of Deadline compares Stranger Things: The First Shadow to previous Broadway plays like Grey House and King Kong. Evans wrote, “Scary is a rarity for Broadway. There was the creepy Grey House a few seasons ago, and you might [remember] when King Kong lumbered around a stage a while back, but Stranger Things: The First Shadow easily outdoes them for jump scares and genuine thrills.”

Kobi Kassal of Theaterly labeled the play a “Triumph On Broadway”. Kassal wrote, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a truly breathtaking spectacle the likes of which has never before been seen on Broadway.”

Emlyn Travis of Entertainment Weekly wrote, “It is a frightening, immersive, nonstop thrill ride of a play that successfully transports audiences into the television series with its stunning illusions, masterfully crafted sets, and moving performances.”

Chris Jones of the NY Daily News wrote, “The Broadway arrival of a live (mostly) Stranger Things has to be the peak fusion of TV and theater. A person who loves Broadway theater and adores its creativity and singularity surely was justified throwing up their hands in capitulation to the phenomenally successful streaming service whose stock has been rising even as the rest of Wall Street is in the tank.”

Originally reported by Ishita Verma on ComingSoon.