NEW YORK ‒ Move over, Norma Desmond.
Broadway has a colossal new star in the Mind Flayer, a fearsome spider-like monster that towers over the Marquis Theatre stage in a bone-crunching, spine-tingling sequence of "Stranger Things: The First Shadow." During a recent tech rehearsal for the play, the wide-eyed cast huddled in the mezzanine to catch a glimpse of the creature in action, unfurling its gnarly tentacles in a maelstrom of billowing smoke and flashing red lights. The gruesome spectacle that follows earns raucous cheers and applause from the slack-jawed onlookers.
"A bunch of us came up here to watch," says cast member Eric Wiegand, who portrays a teenage Alan Munson in Netflix's theatrical prequel. "That's insane. That was my first time seeing it."
The play was co-conceived by "Stranger Things" creators Matt and Ross Duffer, telling a dark origin story of the mysterious Henry Creel (Louis McCartney), who's better known as Vecna, Season 4's big bad. The ambitious, effects-heavy production premiered in London in 2023 and officially opens on Broadway on April 22.
“It’s magic," says playwright Kate Trefry, who's also a writer on the Netflix series. "There are certain moments in every show where I can’t believe they still work on me."
Part of the reason it's so thrilling, McCartney posits, is because "you can see yourselves in these characters. Sure, we’ve got Demogorgons and Mind Flayers." But at its core, "it's people fighting for their lives, and that’s what’s really exciting about our show.”
Broadway's 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' connects to Season 5
Directed by Stephen Daldry (“Billy Elliot”), “First Shadow” is set in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, where Henry and his family have moved after a violent incident with his ex-classmate. Henry is quickly befriended by fellow outsider Patty Newby (Gabrielle Nevaeh), who tries to help him temper his horrific visions and convulsive fits of rage.
Meanwhile, a spunky group of familiar faces – Joyce Maldonado (Alison Jaye), Jim Hopper (Burke Swanson) and Bob Newby (Juan Carlos) – are investigating a grisly series of murdered pets across the town, which in classic “Stranger Things” fashion, may be linked to a larger supernatural threat.
The play asks big questions about nature versus nurture, but also “how these events could've been formative for these characters,” Trefry says. “This is the scar they all carry; how they reacted to that damage is what made them the adults you know in the series.”
“First Shadow” is littered with Easter eggs from the TV show, with nods to Christmas lights, rainbow-painted science labs and the now-iconic theme song. We're also introduced to Eleven’s twisted father figure, Dr. Brenner (Alex Breaux, taking on Matthew Modine's role from the series). But the trick was to ensure that the play would be equally accessible for theatergoers who may be walking in blind.
“It’s canon, so it has to work with everything that has come before and everything that’s coming in Season 5,” Trefry says. “It also has to be something you can watch having no knowledge of the show. But ultimately, all I’m really interested in is telling a great story. There may be things that pass people by, and others that super-fans go crazy for.”
Trefry knows it’s impossible for every “Stranger Things” enthusiast to come see the production. Still, she teases that it’s an “essential” key to unlocking the fifth and final season, which is expected to release later this year and promises yet another epic showdown with Vecna.
“I’m really excited for Season 5 to finally come out because it's in such conversation with the play,” Trefry says. “Once people are finally able to consume the series and the play as a whole, they’ll be able to appreciate how connected it all is. It’s a singular piece of work.”
How Louis McCartney becomes the troubled Henry Creel, aka Vecna
“First Shadow” hinges on McCartney’s fiercely committed performance as Henry, who oscillates between incredibly funny and charming at times, but also tempestuous and terrifying.
“He’s this kid who’s savagely loyal and desperate for connection,” McCartney says. “He’s battling with the spirit of the boy he once was and the shadow over him.”
McCartney, 21, did ample research into the work of "Confessions of a Sociopath" author M.E. Thomas. He also spoke at length with actor Jamie Campbell Bower, who inhabits both Henry and Vecna in the Netflix series.
“I steal things from him shamelessly because he’s so good,” McCartney says. “I love the way he uses his eyes and I try to emulate that.”
In his dressing room, the good-humored actor has an eclectic playlist to get into Henry’s headspace: primarily classical music, but some “dark and moody” jams as well. At one point, his favorite warmup tune was “Mortal Projections” by Djo, the artist moniker of Joe Keery (aka Steve Harrington on “Stranger Things”).
“The song’s all about astral projection and dream-walking, and that’s sort of like the Upside Down,” McCartney says. “I found that fun and it’s got a great synth beat to it.”
The son of a medium and a screenwriter, McCartney has always been drawn to projects that push him to his limits. At 14, he made his screen acting debut in an episode of HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” portraying a King’s Landing denizen who gets burnt alive by a dragon. (“I just love ruining myself,” he jokes.)
Bringing “First Shadow” to Broadway, McCartney has enjoyed getting to meet the series' “super-crafty” fans, some of whom make bracelets for the cast or come dressed as their favorite characters. (At a recent preview performance, he spotted one young woman in a Demogorgon onesie.) The theater has been renovated to resemble the Creel family's house, offering audiences an immersive experience that they can't get from binge-watching Netflix on their couches.
“It’s live actors with live special effects, and it’s our job to really pull you into this world,” McCartney says, grinning. “It’s super exciting! People fly and there’s so much blood. It gets everywhere, like ‘Carrie.’ I love it.”
"Stranger Things: The First Shadow" is now playing at the Marquis Theatre (210 W. 46th Street) in New York.
