Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Last updated

Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Stranger Things, The First Shadow Poster.jpeg
Promotional poster
Written byKate Trefry
Story by
Based on Stranger Things
by The Duffer Brothers
Directed by Stephen Daldry
Date premieredDecember 14, 2023 (2023-12-14)
Place premiered Phoenix Theatre, London
Original languageEnglish
Genre
Setting Hawkins, Indiana
Official site

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a play written by Kate Trefry from an original story by the Duffer Brothers, 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 to rave reviews. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

In July 2022, it was revealed that a spin-off stage play and a spin-off series was 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

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, illusions 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)

According to a casting notice from Actors Equity Association, the show is scheduled to transfer to Broadway in 2025. Further information is still to be announced. [11] [12]

Cast and characters

CharacterWest End [13]
2023
James Hopper Jr. Oscar Lloyd
Joyce Maldonado Isabella Pappas
Bob Newby Chris Buckley
Henry Creel Louis McCartney
Dr. Brenner Patrick Vaill
Alan Munson Max Harwood
Patty NewbyElla Karuna Williams
Victor Creel Michael Jibson
Virginia Creel Lauren Ward
Alice CreelImogen Turner
Faith Delaney
Anika Boyle
Chief HopperShane Attwooll
Lonnie ByersChase Brown
Charles SinclairAmmar Duffus
Ted WheelerGilles Geary
Karen Childress Florence Guy
Principal NewbyMatthew Pidgeon
Walter HendersonCalum Ross
Claudia YountMaisie Norma Seaton
Sue AndersonKemi Awoderu

Awards and nominations

YearAward CeremonyCategoryNomineeResult
2024 WhatsOnStage Awards [14] Best New PlayWon
Best Professional Debut PerformanceLouis McCartneyNominated
Best Casting DirectionJessica RonaneNominated
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 DesignThe Creative PartnershipNominated
Laurence Olivier Awards [15] Best Entertainment or Comedy PlayWon
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

Related Research Articles

<i>Into the Woods</i> 1987 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

Into the Woods is a 1987 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Daldry</span> British director

Stephen David Daldry CBE is an English director and producer of film, theatre, and television. He has won three Tony Awards for his work on Broadway and an Olivier Award for his work in the West End. He has received three Academy Awards nominations for Best Director, for the films Billy Elliot (2000), The Hours (2002), and The Reader (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Creel</span> American actor, singer, and songwriter

Gavin James Creel is an American actor, singer, and songwriter best known for his work in musical theater. Creel made his Broadway debut in 2002 in the leading role of Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie before starring as Claude in the 2009 Broadway revival of Hair, both Tony Award-nominated performances. From 2012 to 2015, he starred as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon; he received a Laurence Olivier Award for originating the role in the West End version of the musical and has played the role in the US National Tour and on Broadway. In 2017, he received a Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in Broadway's Hello, Dolly!.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Borle</span> American actor (born 1973)

Christian Dominique Borle is an American actor and singer. He is a two-time Tony Award winner for his roles as Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher and as William Shakespeare in Something Rotten! Borle also originated the roles of Prince Herbert, et al. in Spamalot, Emmett in Legally Blonde, and Joe in Some Like It Hot on Broadway. He starred as Marvin in the 2016 Broadway revival of Falsettos. He also starred as Tom Levitt on the NBC musical-drama television series Smash and Vox in the dark-comedy musical Hazbin Hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix Theatre, London</span> West End theatre in London, England

The Phoenix Theatre is a West End theatre in the London Borough of Camden, located in Charing Cross Road. The entrances are on Phoenix Street and Charing Cross Road. The Phoenix Theatre was built on the site of a former factory and then music hall Alcazar before.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ambassador Theatre Group</span> International Live Entertainment organisation

The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), now rebranded to ATG Entertainment is a major international theatre organisation headquartered in the United Kingdom, with offices in Woking, London, New York, Sydney, Mannheim and Cologne. ATG's key operations comprise three inter-related activities: theatre ownership and management, ticketing and marketing operations, and show productions.

Michael Jibson is an English actor, director, writer and voice over artist. He was the winner of the 2018 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical, for his role of King George III in Hamilton. He was nominated for the 2003 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, for Our House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Thorne</span> English screenwriter and playwright

Jack Thorne FRSL is a British playwright, television writer, screenwriter, and producer.

<i>Stranger Things</i> American television series

Stranger Things is an American science fiction horror drama television series created by the Duffer Brothers for Netflix. Produced by Monkey Massacre Productions and 21 Laps Entertainment, the first season was released on Netflix on July 15, 2016. The second and third seasons followed in October 2017 and July 2019 respectively, and the fourth season was released in two parts in May and July 2022. In February 2022, Stranger Things was renewed for a fifth and final season, which is expected to be released in 2025.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Heaton</span> English actor (born 1994)

Charles Ross Heaton is an English actor and musician. He is known for starring as Jonathan Byers in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things (2016–present) and for his roles in feature films like As You Are (2016), Marrowbone (2017), The New Mutants (2020), No Future (2021), and The Souvenir Part II (2021). Prior to his acting career, Heaton played in a number of London-based bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duffer brothers</span> American film and television writers, directors, and producers

Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, often credited as the Duffer Brothers, are American film and television writers, directors, and producers. They are best known as the creators, directors and executive producers of the hit Netflix science fiction horror drama series Stranger Things. They also wrote and directed the 2015 psychological horror film Hidden, and wrote and produced episodes for the Fox mystery-science fiction series Wayward Pines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sadie Sink</span> American actress (born 2002)

Sadie Elizabeth Sink is an American actress. She began acting at age seven in local theater productions and played the title role in Annie (2012–14) and young Elizabeth II in The Audience (2015) on Broadway. In 2016, she made her film debut in the biographical sports drama Chuck.

<i>Stranger Things</i> season 1 Season of television series (2016)

The first season of the American science fiction horror drama television series Stranger Things premiered worldwide on the streaming service Netflix on July 15, 2016. The series was created by the Duffer Brothers, who also serve as executive producers along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen.

The Stranger Things original soundtracks are composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein of the electronic band Survive. They make extensive use of synthesizers in homage to 1980s artists and film composers including Jean-Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, Goblin, John Carpenter, Giorgio Moroder, and Fabio Frizzi.

<i>Stranger Things</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the science fiction television series Stranger Things, marketed as Stranger Things 2, was released worldwide on the streaming service Netflix on October 27, 2017. The series was created by the Duffer Brothers, who also serve as executive producers along with Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen and Iain Paterson.

<i>Stranger Things</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of the American science fiction horror television series Stranger Things, marketed as Stranger Things 3, was released worldwide on the streaming service Netflix on July 4, 2019. The series was created by the Duffer Brothers, who also serve as executive producers along with Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen and Iain Paterson.

<i>Stranger Things</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the American science fiction horror drama television series Stranger Things, marketed as Stranger Things 4, was released worldwide on the streaming service Netflix in two volumes. The first set of seven episodes was released on May 27, 2022, while the second set of two episodes was released on July 1, 2022. The season was produced by the show's creators the Duffer Brothers, along with Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Iain Paterson and Curtis Gwinn.

<i>Stranger Things</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the American science fiction horror drama television series Stranger Things, marketed as Stranger Things 5, will be released on the streaming service Netflix. The season will be produced by the show's creators, the Duffer brothers, along with Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Iain Paterson, and Curtis Gwinn.

Louis McCartney is a stage, television and film actor from Northern Ireland.

Justin Martin is an English director of television and theatre. He is known for his collaborations with director Stephen Daldry and has received a BAFTA TV Award as well as nominations for two Laurence Olivier Awards and a Drama Desk Award.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things' Stage Play Sets Cast, Opening Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  2. ↑ "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Cast Tease West End Play: 'It's Like Being in a F—ing Action Film'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Netflix announces 'Stranger Things' spin-off as creators form new production company". CNBC. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Stranger Things spin-offs to include play made by British theatre duo". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Stranger Things prequel play combines darkness and fun, creators say". BBC News. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Sonia Friedman Productions". soniafriedman.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  7. ↑ Huff, Lauren (March 1, 2023). "Stranger Things to get stage play about 1959 Hawkins featuring young Hopper, Joyce, and Vecna". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Ambassador Theatre Group announces 'Stranger Things' performance dates". ATG Tickets. ATG. March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Box Office | Phoenix Theatre". Phoenix Theatre, London. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ Rice, Lynette (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Reveals Full Cast For World Premiere In London's West End". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  11. ↑ Cristi, A. A. "STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW Broadway Transfer Confirmed; Production Begins Casting". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  12. ↑ Earl, William (March 8, 2024). "'Stranger Things' Play Eyes Move to Broadway as New York City Casting Search Begins". Variety. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Cast & Creative - Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Site". uk.strangerthingsonstage.com/. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Nominations in full: 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". December 7, 2023. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations". The Guardian. March 12, 2024. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved March 12, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.