"The actors are impressive, the play is out of the ordinary, the special effects are incredible, highly recommended even for those who haven't seen the series to start watching it. It's excellent for ages 13 and up, they enjoy it a lot. I will go back again before I leave. You can easily see it twice. I don't understand why it isn't so promoted since it is a must-see on Broadway."
...
Read more
Graciela C from Miami on Jul 21, 2025
Amazing!!
"The opening scene blew me away. The entire show was well acted but the special effects were things I had never scene before in any production. I’d see it again for sure. "
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Jul 20, 2025
A Work of Art
"The acting, especially with such a young cast, is outstanding. The special effects, production and lighting crew should win top honors."
...
Read more
Karen B from Montclair on Jul 19, 2025
creating the upside down
"Rock solid prequel to the Stranger Things show. Special Effects were fantastic, the cast - while a little over the top at times - delivered at every turn. Makes me want another play in between this show and the Series. Great job."
...
Read more
Dave L from Dripping Springs on Jul 14, 2025
Incredible special effects for a play
"Great show. Great acting and incredible special effects. Very nice theatre. Best if you are familiar with the series."
...
Read more
Patrick B from Laconia on Jul 13, 2025
Absolutely Amazing
"This was absolutely amazing. More than I could have imagined. The cast was great. There are no words to describe the set or special effects.
Suggestions in buying tickets. Don't sit too close to front or too far back. We were about 10 rows back, dead center, and it was perfect. At the very least, don't sit too close to front. "
...
Read more
Kathy G from Jacksonville on Jul 10, 2025
Awesome in all perspectives
"An outstanding show, breathtaking!!"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Jul 4, 2025
Those stranger things can become too familiar.
"From the great conversations with total strangers while waiting for box office to open, to the ushers and their shared excitement for you and what you are about to experience, to the show the show itself, WOW! What an experience and everyone who loves the series must watch..GET.HERE.NOW!!!"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Jul 2, 2025
Loved it!
"If you’re a fan of stranger things then you’ll love this! Cast, set, and effects were fantastic. Loved the story!"
...
Read more
Lacey B from Camillus on Jul 2, 2025
Amazing show!
"Awesome special effects! Strongly recommend watching Stranger Things from the beginning if you haven’t already prior to seeing this. It would be helpful to be familiar with the plot line and characters. I wouldn’t bring young children, there are some jump scares.
"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Jun 23, 2025
woooooooow
"we didn't expect such entertainment and theatrics!! wonderful acting, perfectly depicts Stranger Things ❤️♥️"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Jun 12, 2025
Be ready for spontaneous, blow you out of your seat, effects!
"I brought my granddaughters who have seen the show seasons on Netflix. I have not but still was able to follow the story and knocked from my seat with the many sound and lighting effects! The characters make you comfortable in the storyline until the frequent effects happen. It is an almost three hour play, but you’ll be mesmerized and paying attention throughout. All of you Stranger Things fan club peeps; add a Star—-you’ll love it; my granddaughters did (me too)"
...
Read more
Patricia M from Poughkeepsie on Jun 8, 2025
Great show!
"I loved the entire show! Special effects were great. The actors in the audience made you feel you were in the show. Not boring at all!"
...
Read more
Ed C from Stroudsburg on May 24, 2025
Never seen anything like it
"This show was amazing! One of my party was 11 and she would close her eyes at some points but overall I would recommend this to any stranger things fans! The effects were amazing and it opened a whole new path for stranger things! It has young Joyce, Hopper, Bob, Lonnie, and many more! It's an amazing show and I don't know how they did it!!"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on May 24, 2025
Absolutely amazing! Must see!!!
"This was my Mother’s Day gift to myself while visiting my daughter in the city. We are both fans of the show and wanted to see how the stage show would go. I watched the Netflix documentary on the making of it and was very impressed how it all came together. Visual effects, writing, acting, everything was amazing!!! We both left there wanting to watch it again. 😃 A definite must see!!!!"
...
Read more
Sharon B from Hutchinson on May 18, 2025
Such a great play!
"My Granddaughters loved it as did I. Great storyline tying into the series. We’re all hoping the saga continues. "
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on May 12, 2025
A Must See Show!
"Stranger Things: The First Shadow was so incredible!! I want to see it again! All of the actors were fantastic! The special effects and the sound effects were beyond amazing! If you're a Stranger Things fan, you must see this show!"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on May 6, 2025
A spectacle you have to see
"This show lived up to the hype. Stranger things fans or newbies alike would be in awe of this production. Lighting , sound, set work were a given to be amazing and they still exceeded expectations. Then a cohesive story with great acting and enough twists/ turns to keep you engaged. Loved it"
...
Read more
Dante S from Warren on May 5, 2025
The whole family loved it!!!
"My wife and I have been watching Stranger Things with our boys (then 5 & 7) since season 1. We all came to the show on 24 Apr 2025. The boys are now 13 & 15. As the show started, I realized how long our family has been involved with Stranger Things. This show is a great way to bring a prequel to the fans of the TV series. If you are not familiar with the Stranger Things TV series, you can still appreciate this exciting show. However, you'll appreciate it much more if you have seen the TV series. Amazing stage effects. Very well written and performed. I hope a recorded version will eventually be available on Netflix for those around the country that cannot make it to NYC to see the show will be able to enjoy this fantastic production and essential events that complete the Stranger Things story."
...
Read more
Dean D from Elsmere on Apr 25, 2025
Great acting and special effects
"It is an amazing prequel to the series."
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Apr 21, 2025
Incredible
"Keep you on the edge of your seat! Loved every moment!!!"
...
Read more
Toni C from Brandon on Apr 19, 2025
Do Not Miss!
"Without giving away anything, all I can say is this play blew my mind!! All I kept saying to my husband and 18 year old son who were there as well was "I can't get over the sets and effects!"
We were engulfed in the excitement from the opening scene and there were never any dull moments. The cast were incredible....so many "Broadway debuts", but you would never know because the acting, movement and physicality of what they all did were just incredible. The first act is long (about 90 minutes)....but we didn't mind it was THAT exciting!
I did say "yes" to 'would I recommend this to children'....but in reality only if they know the show/series and not younger than 10 I would say.
Fantastic show all around!!!"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Apr 17, 2025
Before the Upside Down: A Prequel Big on Illusion, Light on Emotion
"The play is a prequel set in Hawkins in the 1950s, decades before the events of the Netflix series.
It follows a teenage Henry Creel, who has just moved to town with his family. He struggles to fit in at school while dealing with disturbing visions and growing powers he doesn’t understand.
At the same time, younger versions of familiar Hawkins adults—like Jim Hopper and Joyce Maldonado (later Joyce Byers)—are living ordinary teenage lives that slowly start intersecting with something much darker.
The story builds toward the origin of the supernatural evil tied to Hawkins, revealing how Henry becomes central to it all.
It’s visually spectacular but dramatically uneven. In short: a high-tech, thrilling prequel that looks incredible—but doesn’t fully land as a piece of storytelling."
...
Read more
Avinav S from Calgary on May 5, 2026
If you're a fan this is for you
"I attended the performance with my daughters and niece, all fans of the show. Even with a snow storm on the way we were determined to see the play. It was so exciting to continue enjoying the Stranger Things saga and the show did not disappoint. The performances by the actors and the theatrical production were spot on and so impressive.
Even though we were sad to see the end (via the beginning) of our Stranger Things experience we couldn't stop talking about the play all the way back to Pennsylvania. Bravo!"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Feb 26, 2026
Very good show!
"For stranger things lovers this is a must! Great performances, absolutely fabulous cast. Lots of stunning sounds/visual effects. Some sounds maybe way too loud.
The theater in NYC was packed. Honestly the only complain is about the venue. The seats were not very comfortable, mostly the legs space is way too small (I am average size woman) and a 3 hours show felt like flying to Europe 😖.
"
...
Read more
EULALIA D from Marvin on Jan 30, 2026
Viewing 551-575 of 619
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.
