Set in 1959, Stranger Things: The First Shadow explores the early years of Henry Creel in Hawkins, Indiana—long before the Upside Down made its mark. Hoping for a fresh start, the Creel family relocates to the small town, where Henry begins to build a new life, making friends and joining the school play. But when Hawkins is shaken by a series of violent and inexplicable crimes, Henry is drawn into a chilling mystery that forces him to confront the darkness lurking within himself.

The Broadway production follows an Audience Acclaimed run in London’s West End, where it won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment. It is directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Stephen Daldry (The Inheritance, Billy Elliot) and Justin Martin (Prima Facie), and produced by Sonia Friedman Productions in collaboration with Netflix. The creative team brings the world of Stranger Things to life onstage through innovative stagecraft and effects, with a cast of 34 performers delivering a high-stakes ensemble thriller rooted in the show’s mythology.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow received 5 Tony Award® nominations in 2025, including Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for Louis McCartney, Best Scenic Design of a Play, Best Costume Design of a Play, Best Lighting Design of a Play, Best Sound Design of a Play, and a Special Award for Illusions & Technical Effects.