STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW Previews- Page 3

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/17/25 at 1:13pm

I’m conflicted about how I felt about this last night. For context, I was in a group of 3 and our experience with Stranger Things (the show) runs the gamut: one is a huge fan, one watched a full series recap in preparation (me), and one only watched the first season a long time ago. We all walked away feeling pretty much the same, with the fan among us really only catching the more niche Easter eggs.

On the one hand, it is a pretty horribly-written “play”. The plot is all exposition and set-up for huge set pieces, and the dialogue is serviceable at best and cringe at worst. The actors… somewhat do their best to overcome to material, but they’re mostly breathless from running all over the place and playing the broadest caricature of whoever they are (doting mother, drunk father, overeager theatre kid, freak, so on and so forth). It’s a lot of clearly intentional Bad Acting to play to the back of the auditorium. If you’re looking for depth? Not here.

And yet, on the other hand?

I kind of had a blast?

It’s a spectacle, for sure. Individual effects are cooler than others on the scale of “Ha, neat” to “HOLY SH*T!” but it’s how seamlessly everything happens - and how quickly - that’s so awe-inspiring to me. They go all out, and it’s truly beginning to end. There is an over-reliance on screens and projections; but damned if they’re not the clearest, least obvious use of them I’ve seen.

Ultimately, if you want a 3-hour theme park show that’s based on Stranger Things, that is exactly what you’re going to get. It’s not aiming for profundity in the way Cursed Child does (ymmv on that point), which is the most direct comparison one can make. It’s here to deliver thrills and it mostly kind of does. But if you’re the type who thinks Broadway is turning into Disney/Universal, this won’t dissuade you.

Updated On: 4/17/25 at 01:13 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/17/25 at 10:53pm

Well…I thought this was technically impressive, for sure. But that’s about where my compliments end. The play is dramatically inert, bloated beyond belief, and at times indecipherable. (Bob builds a demon-tracker out of a phone and a mop?)

I also thought the performances were rough, unfortunately. Louis McCartney is certainly doing the most - but I found a lot of it to be shrill. 

This is 100% an amusement park show - nothing more and nothing less. And judging by the (horribly behaved) fans ooh-ing and aah-ing at every character reveal and special effect, I’d say most ticket buyers will be happy. You certainly see your money on the stage. Frankly, it’d be nice to see the Marquis have a hit. 

I just wish the production team invested as much into developing a good script as they did into developing good effects. 

Updated On: 4/17/25 at 10:53 PM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/18/25 at 12:42am

SPOILER IN MY COMMENT…

 

there’s a lot of amazing stagecraft going along, but I found the rather graphic human on animal violence, disturbing and upsetting. And when I walked out of intermission and saw that they were selling a stuffed dead cat, with its eyes crossed out, I was really disgusted. Are we really making stuffed animals of dead cats now glorifying human on animal violence? It really put me off to the entire evening, if I’m honest. Probably could have looked past the actual moment in the show in support of the plot but seeing the merch pushed me over the edge.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/18/25 at 6:46am

iluvtheatertrash said: "SPOILER IN MY COMMENT…



there’s a lot of amazing stagecraft going along, but I found the rather graphic human on animal violence, disturbing and upsetting. And when I walked out of intermission and saw that they were selling a stuffed dead cat, with its eyes crossed out, I was really disgusted. Are we really making stuffed animals of dead cats now glorifying human on animal violence? It really put me off to the entire evening, if I’m honest. Probably could have looked past the actual moment in the show in support of the plot but seeing the merch pushed me over the edge."

As an animal lover, I find this upsetting... and really questioning whether or not I want to see this. I am definitely interested in the stagecraft, but this really rubs me the wrong way.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/18/25 at 7:41am

bwayphreak234 said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "SPOILER IN MY COMMENT…



there’s a lot of amazing stagecraft going along, but I found the rather graphic human on animal violence, disturbing and upsetting. And when I walked out of intermission and saw that they were selling a stuffed dead cat, with its eyes crossed out, I was really disgusted. Are we really making stuffed animals of dead cats now glorifying human on animal violence? It really put me off to the entire evening, if I’m honest. Probably could have looked past the actual moment in the show in support of the plot but seeing the merch pushed me over the edge."

As an animal lover, I find this upsetting... and really questioning whether or not I want to see this. I am definitely interested in the stagecraft, but this really rubs me the wrong way."

Spoilers below: there are two visual animal murders, with lots of horrific sounds, and a slew of MENTIONED animal killings. It upset me but I tried to accept it for being horror…. But then I saw this stuffed “toy” at merch and I was fuming.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 4/18/25 at 10:37am

Playwright Kate Trefrey's interviews were the highlight of the First Shadow documentary. She cares a great deal about the characters but had never written for the stage before. The Duffer Brothers had a say in what lore she could discuss and what needed to be saved for the fifth season of the show. London reviews suggest the script is overstuffed. As though she'd tried to cram a seasons worth of television in. If they'd have paired her with a more seasoned playwright she might have found it easier to tailor this to a two act structure.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/18/25 at 11:32am

Jack Thorne has a “story by” credit. I have to imagine he was brought in by Stephen Daldry to finesse Kate Trefry’s script for the stage as a sort of ghostwriter and did more work than is shown in the documentary, but settled for a story credit. The stress Trefry appears to be under in comparison to literally everyone else in the documentary implies she’s out of her element in a big way. It shows on the stage, unfortunately. The play itself is the worst thing about it.

Updated On: 4/18/25 at 11:32 AM

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 4/18/25 at 1:01pm

Saw this this week and really liked it.   I like the tv show and thought this prequel was great for fans.  Newcomers won't like it as much but there is still something for everyone.

The look and effects are SPECTACULAR!  They will clearly be taking home lots of awards.

The cast is doing great work - the lead guy Lewis McCartney is really great!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/21/25 at 10:52pm

They’ve REALLY upped the production values for this, from what’s on at The Phoenix in London. Several new “WOW” moments for me. 

Absolutely one of the worst audiences I’ve had to be around for quite some time but I still had a blast at this one. Its so technically impressive that, for me, it makes up for other elements that are maybe lacking in other places. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 7:18am

Jordan Catalano said: "They’ve REALLY upped the production values for this, from what’s on at The Phoenix in London. Several new “WOW” moments for me.

Absolutely one of the worst audiences I’ve had to be around for quite some time but I still had a blast at this one. Its so technically impressive that, for me, it makes upfor other elements that are maybe lacking in other places."

Interesting. My roommate and I marveled at how the audience was rapt when I went. Not a phone in sight and everyone was so quiet.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 5:53pm

Netflix Takes Broadway: How ‘Stranger Things’ Play ‘First Shadow’ Is Key to Season 5 Plot and Streamer’s Larger Live Experiences Biz

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/stranger-things-broadway-play-first-shadow-season-5-plot-1236374997/

[BOM]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 6:18pm

I caught this Saturday night and absolutely loved it. Perhaps it was just where I was sitting, but my audience was remarkably well-behaved and seemed very engaged. Louis McCartney was the standout for me in terms of acting, but the whole cast did their job well. I think this show is worth seeing even if you're not a fan of the Netflix series. I can't imagine this play not winning Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound Design at the Tonys.