"The props and special effects were the highlight of the play. I felt that the introduction (beginning of the play) was lagging and I lost interest, it was okay but should be shorter and it would have been more pleasing. The second half was what was good and kept my interest."
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Broadway.com Customer on Aug 17, 2025
Incredible staging
"The show is an theatrical experience that is remarkable in its blend of artistry and technology.The play itself isn’t of the same calibre but it works and the performances are all strong "
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Stephen G from New York on Apr 27, 2025
Mixed feelings
"No doubt the story, the effects, the details and especially the cast were phenomenal. Here are my issues. Some parts were TOO loud and some require some flash warnings for sure. Also, it's not about this particular show but the theatre seating makes it very hard to see if the person in front of you is tall and makes your $300 ticket almost pointless. Other than these things it was a great show! And special mentions to the case. The acting was exceptional. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Feb 7, 2026
The Great, the Good, and the Ugly.
"The special effects were fantastic. Lead actors carried the show. Scenes involving special effects, the upside down, and lead actors kept the show alive. There was an abundance of cursing that was not needed. I don't mind cursing when it shows emphases to a story but consistent use of GD was a turn off for me and wasn't relative to the story. It was good but could have been better with a better storyline running parallel with the main story. "
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Jeremiah M from Gallatin on Nov 24, 2025
For Fans of the TV Series
"This is a hyperactive, action-packed story with lots of laughs, noise, and amazing special effects. By amazing, I mean I’ve seen nothing like it on stage. Impressive stuff.
Overall impression: this is sci-fi/fantasy with a plot that wanders; not a dialog gold mine and is best for fans the tv series. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 24, 2025
This show was not for me
"I like the special effects. I did not like theme. This show was definitely not for me."
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 20, 2025
Stranger things Newbee
"Loud, chaotic and a bit hard to follow. Too much screaming and not enough story. Great production values. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Jul 14, 2025
an insight to the past
"I knew the story from the tv series. This did a good job setting a prequel and connecting to it. The acting and stage elements were TOP NOTCH!!! "
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Broadway.com Customer on May 6, 2025
Sensory overload
"An intense and somewhat insightful introduction to the Stranger Things canon, but it felt like the play tried to do too much, which made it hard to follow at times, even for us, as fans of the tv show. The special effects were also very loud and overwhelming (for both this 40-something dad and my teen son). I've been to twenty or so Broadway plays and shows and would rank this toward the bottom, unfortunately."
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Broadway.com Customer on Feb 24, 2026
Appreciate the artistry but very disturbing
"My 12-year-old daughter and I enjoy Stranger Things on Netflix. We regularly go to the theatre and see live performances. We were excited to see Stranger Things but ended up leaving at intermission. We saw several other people leaving at intermission. The special effects and acting were fantastic, but it was very disturbing, intense, and scary. The show also included mutilation of a cat that was graphic, upsetting, and hard to watch. I really appreciate and applaud the creativity, set design, special effects, and lighting, but it was not for us. If you do not enjoy horror movies, haunted houses, etc, this is probably not the show for you. "
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Allison K from Memphis on Oct 6, 2025
Stranger Things Review
"The special effects were very, very good; however the extensive cussing was very disappointing. The amount of cussing in my opinion took away from the play and left me unsatisfied with the performance and made it unfit for children. Just having a better choice of words were have made my opinion of the play very high, but based upon what I have mentioned, I would rate the play at 3.5 stars."
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David M from Jamestown on Jul 18, 2025
Stranger Things is intended for fans of Netflix show.
"The special affects were good. There was some humor and good lines. The plot lacked substance. There was overuse of saten like possessed voice that became tedious and not scary. I think those that watch the Netflix show may appreciate it more. Those in attendance seemed to like it but not my type of play. "
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Broadway.com Customer on May 4, 2025
Not for a Stranger Things purist
"Production was phenomenal! Acting was quite good but the story line conflicts with the show and ignores that the future of these characters would remember all this when things started happening in Hawkins again. If you can get passed this, go and enjoy."
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Kathleen R from Long Island City on Jan 10, 2026
Boring and confusing
"The audience around us loved it. We did not. First act was tedious and seemed unconnected to the TV show. Second act was marginally better. We are fans of the TV show, but this show isn’t that at all.
Monster was very cool and the introduction of Eleven right at the end was nice."
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Broadway.com Customer on Dec 22, 2025
Too much screaming not enough acting
"They took all the disturbing parts of ST and left out all the charming parts. No likable characters- and constantly shocked with overdone sound blasts and lighs. Left at intermission. Huge fan of the show though..... "
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Broadway.com Customer on Jul 30, 2025
Disjointed mess of a show…
"I love Stranger Things the show…but this play is a mess. It’s half comedy…and half terrifying horror…and it does now flow well together. There is way too much unnecessary language in this show. It is NOT for kids. I noticed a lot of people did not come back after intermission. I’ve seen over ten shows on Broadway…and this is one I wouldn’t see again. "
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Jason B from LaVale on Jun 20, 2025
Avoid this show If you hate plot holes
"Although there were some cool moments, this show only complicated an already jumbled mess of a story (since season two). If you’re going in as someone who isn’t a Stranger Things fan, you probably won’t have much of a problem with it. But for longtime fans, the show blatantly contradicts major parts of the series and somehow manages to feel even cheesier than the most recent season.
It leans heavily into stereotypes for comedy, which I assume is meant to mimic classic ’80s movies. The first two seasons of Stranger Things balanced horror and comedy much better, while this felt more like a cheesy ’80s comedy movie than part of the same universe. I saw all the rave reviews and was incredibly excited to see it, but I ended up being insanely disappointed.
That being said, none of this takes away from how incredibly talented the cast was. The performances were strong across the board, and there were also a couple genuinely impressive special effects that stood out."
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Broadway.com Customer on May 11, 2026
I wanted to love Stranger Things but it was difficult to follow.
"Difficult to follow, and I have watched all episodes on Netflix."
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 13, 2025
anti-climatic
"not what i expected. not entertaining. boring. dragged out. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Aug 1, 2025
Only thing good were special effects
"Great special effects. Poor acting, would not recommend for kids. Very disappointed. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Jun 2, 2025
Good only for fans of series
"Ridiculous story. Forgetful acting made almost intelligible by volume. Impressive scenery, technology, and special effects"
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Broadway.com Customer on Sep 26, 2025
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About
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Before the world turned upside down. Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy...and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.
From Netflix and the multi-award-winning Broadway producer Sonia Friedman Productions comes Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Winner of two Olivier Awards including Best Entertainment, this landmark production is brought to life by an award-winning creative team including director Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot, The Inheritance, The Hours, The Reader) and co-director Justin Martin (Prima Facie, The Inheritance). With stunning special effects, extraordinary performances, and a storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this gripping, stand-alone adventure will take you right back to the beginnings of the Stranger Things story.
