'So Many Easter Eggs': How Stranger Things Is Bringing the Netflix Series to the Stage

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set to begin at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End November 17, and a newly released video offers a sneak peek at what audiences can expect. See the cast and creative team behind the show (officially opening December 14) talk about bringing the Netflix series to the stage, along with a glimpse at some of the stagecraft and illusions from the new work above.

Broadway vets Patrick Vaill (Oklahoma!) and Lauren Ward (Matilda The Musical) are starring as Dr. Brenner and Virginia Creel, respectively, alongside Ella Karuna Williams as Patty Newby, Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, Oscar Lloyd as James Hopper, Jr., Isabella Pappas as Joyce Maldonado, Christopher Buckley as Bob Newby, Michael Jibson as Victor Creel, Shane Attwooll as Chief Hopper, Kemi Awoderu as Sue Anderson, Chase Brown as Lonnie Byers, Ammar Duffus as Charles Sinclair, GillesGeary as Ted Wheeler, Florence Guy as Karen Childress, Max Harwood as Allen Munson, Matthew Pidgeon as Father Newby, Calum Ross as Walter Henderson, and MaisieNorma Seaton as Claudia Henderson.

Rounding out the company are Tricia Adele-Turner, Lauren Arney, Reya-Nyomi Brown, Patricia Castro, Lydia Fraser, Isaac Gryn, Mark Hammersley, Tom Peters, Kingdom Sibanda, TianaSimone, Danny Sykes, and Meesha Turner.

The new tale keeps things in Hawkins, Indiana, but explores what happened before the 1980s setting of the streaming series. The year is 1959 and centers around Jim Hopper, Bob Newby, Joyce Maldonado, and the arrival of a new student, Henry Creel. Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin are co-directing.

The play will not be the first time the Netflix series has come to the stage, though it is the first official stage adaptation. Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical played Off-Broadway earlier this year and even streamed a performance after premiering with a 2018 concert at 54 Below.

The upcoming production features set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, illusion design by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, video design and visual effects by 59 Productions, original music and arrangements by D.J. Walde, choreography by Coral Messam, movement direction by Lynne Page, wigs, hair, and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, and technical direction by Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates. Casting is by Jessica Ronane Casting with additional casting by Charlotte Sutton and international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan.

Netflix is co-producing with Sonia Friedman Productions (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), with the Duffer Brothers serving as creative producers. 21 Laps will be associate producer.

Visit StrangerThingsOnStage.com.