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Stranger Things play.jpg

Does 'Stranger Things' Really Need A Stage Adaptation

By Allyson Johnson | TV | November 6, 2023 |

By Allyson Johnson | TV | November 6, 2023 |


Stranger Things play.jpg

Stranger Things is immensely popular with its excitable fans. But just above the release of a book that details the origin of Season 4 favorite Eddie Munson (really?) in terms of incredulous creative decisions is the one to launch a theater production about Henry Creel — the big bad. This has been news for a while, but they’ve released first-look photos of the production. While some fans will be eager to catch any and all Easter Eggs related to the series, there are also plenty of others like me (the grouch in the corner) asking who on earth asked for this.

On what Netflix dubbed “Stranger Things” Day, a preview has been released for Stranger Things: The First Shadow starring Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, Patrick Vaill as Dr. Brenner, Chase Brown as Lonnie Byers, Isabella Pappas as Joyce Maldonado, and more. While the main story involves how Henry Creel wound up becoming “Number One,” the draw for the fans also includes backstory into the lives of Joyce and Hopper, played by Winona Ryder and David Harbour in the series.

In a behind-the-scenes look at the production, creators Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that in the midst of Season 4, they realized there was “more story to tell.” This a hilarious notion, considering one of the biggest gripes of the Netflix series’ fourth season was its bloated runtime.

The theatrical production seeks to establish a greater historical background for the supporting players of the original series while introducing new elements. Stranger Things: The First Shadow introduces a new character, Patty Newby, played by Ella Karuna Williams, who has a budding romance with Creel. The creators mention that the production will show the “origins of the Upside Down.”

Ultimately, no matter the talent involved, it seems like another way in which the Duffer brothers misunderstand what made the series so delightful in the first place and what’s kept us engaged no matter how messy the plotting becomes. It’s the characters, their dynamics, and the nostalgia-fueled science fiction elements that remain winsome. While there’s considerable time before Season 5 arrives and we’re reunited with our favorites again, it doesn’t seem likely that Stranger Things: The First Shadow is going to fill that void.