Stranger Things: The First Shadow Broadway Review – A Terrifying, Thrilling Prequel

How Stranger Things: The First Shadow Brings the Upside Down to Broadway

I’ll be real with you — I walked into Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway expecting a mess. I had Cursed Child flashbacks. The kind of cash-grab, fan-fictiony spinoff that’s more merch table than actual story. But then? The lights went down. And within minutes, I was completely hooked.

Yes, The First Shadow is absolutely a commercial move. But it’s also so much more than a cash-in. It’s a genuinely creepy, emotionally charged, and visually stunning horror production that fully captures the vibe of the Netflix series — and sometimes even surpasses it.

Let’s dig into the Upside Down (live edition).

A Prequel That Actually Adds Something

Set long before the events of Season 1, The First Shadow follows Henry Creel, the boy who eventually becomes Vecna, as he navigates his life in 1950s Hawkins. We meet new characters, younger versions of fan favorites, and get a deeper look into Henry’s descent into darkness.

And trust me — it gets dark.

What this show does so well is make it accessible. Even if you’ve never seen an episode of Stranger Things, you can follow the story. But if you have seen the series? There are tons of deep cuts, character reveals, and easter eggs to make you cheer — or squirm.

This Show Is Scary. Like, Really Scary.

Broadway isn’t usually the place for blood, jump scares, and body horror — but The First Shadow says, “Hold my Eggo.” This show is legit terrifying.

• Demogorgon screeches that make you jump out of your seat
• Gunshots, radio static, and body horror
• Scenes shrouded in pitch-black darkness where you literally can’t see the setup until it hits you
• One animal death scene that honestly crosses a line (more on that later)

It’s a horror fan’s dream. If you love haunted houses or screaming in the dark, you’ll thrive here. If you're bringing kids? Maybe don’t.

🎭 The Performances Are ALL IN

Lewis McCartney as Henry Creel is nothing short of possessed on stage. He throws himself into this role with every ounce of pain, power, and psychosis. It’s disturbing and magnetic. He’s crying, screaming, drooling — and it works.

Also standout:

• Rosie Benton as Virginia Creel, Henry’s mother. Deep, heartbreaking, and layered.
• Gabrielle Ney as Patty Newbie. Total Scream Queen energy. She needs a horror movie now.
• Allison Jay as young Joyce. Nails the Winona Ryder vibe while making it her own. Bonus points for the hilariously accurate Will-style haircut.
• Burke Swanson as young Hopper brings just enough rugged charm to make it believable.

Seeing these iconic characters as teens, years before the Netflix show begins, is a surreal and surprisingly emotional experience.

🤯 Illusions, Practical Effects, and Theater Magic

If you’re a theater nerd? You’ll be geeking out at how this show hides its tricks in plain sight. It’s not just lights and projections — there’s real physical stagecraft happening. From set transitions in the dark to shocking horror effects, this show gets crafty.

You can’t spot the seams — and that’s part of the magic. It’s the most immersive horror experience I’ve ever seen on a Broadway stage.

😬 The Flaws Are Few, But They're There

Look, the script isn’t perfect. It’s fun, but a bit clunky in places. Some character motivations (especially Henry’s) are hard to swallow. He feels evil from the start, and attempts to make us sympathize with him don’t really land.

There are also a few storyline shortcuts — Patty suddenly knowing things without us seeing how. The plot threads surrounding her birth mother feel undercooked.

And we need to talk about the cat scene. Yes, it’s brief, but you do see an animal tortured on stage, and later its remains. It’s graphic, upsetting, and honestly too much. Horror is fine. Shock value is fine. But this bordered on unnecessary.

⭐ Land of Geek Rating

🔦 8.5/10 – Gutsy, Gory, and Gloriously Creepy

Stranger Things: The First Shadow brings the right mix of horror, heart, and nostalgia to Broadway with standout performances and theatrical magic. It’s not flawless, but it’s a total must-see for Stranger Things fans — and one hell of a night out for horror lovers.

✅ Pros & ❌ Cons

✅ Pros:

• Stunning practical effects and illusions
• Faithful to the Stranger Things vibe and lore
• Electrifying horror atmosphere
• Incredible performances, especially from Lewis McCartney and Rosie Benton
• Smart integration of familiar characters without messing up continuity

❌ Cons:

• Some clunky dialogue and plot shortcuts
• Attempts to humanize Henry Creel fall flat
• One animal death scene is needlessly graphic
• Casual fans might miss references or be overwhelmed by the darkness
• A few continuity questions remain vague

Should You See It?

If you’re a Stranger Things fan, it’s a no-brainer — get your ticket now. If you're just looking for a night of live horror that actually delivers real scares and tension, this is also 100% for you.

But if you're bringing kids or sensitive to violence, especially involving animals, be prepared. This show doesn’t pull punches.

Stay brave in the dark with more stage reviews and geek horror gems at Land of Geek Magazine!

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