Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions are thrilled to announce the principal cast members who will be starring in the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW as the production begins its second year on Broadway. Victor de Paula Rocha will take over as “Henry Creel” alongside Ayana Cymone as “Patty Newby,” Shea Grant as “Joyce Maldonado,” Juan Carlos as “Bob Newby,” and newcomer Matthew Erick White as “James Hopper, Jr.” The full original Broadway cast, led by Tony nominee Louis McCartney, will play its final performance together on Sunday, March 29th at the Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway). The complete Year Two cast will be announced shortly.
Based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorneand Kate Trefry, and rooted in the mythology and world of the Netflix global phenomenon, STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW is a new play written by Kate Trefry, directed by Stephen Daldry and co-directed by Justin Martin.
The most Tony Award-winning play of 2025 and hailed as “best of the year” by Deadline, STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW tells the origin story of Stranger Things villain “Vecna,” aka “Henry Creel.” With the launch of Season 5 on Netflix, demand across Broadway and the West End productions of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW saw an almost instant sustained increase in sales, with sales at their highest levels since the initial launch of both productions. Guests not only booked tickets for the traditionally popular holiday weeks, but also for dates into 2026, emphasizing fan excitement. STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW recently broke the 9-performance house record at the Marquis Theatre with a gross of $2,510,948.00 for the week ending Sunday, December 28, 2025.
The current Broadway cast of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW features Rosie Benton (Patriots) as Virginia Creel, Alex Breaux (“Stranger Things” Season 5) as Dr. Brenner, Janie Brookshire (The Philanthropist), Kelsey Anne Brown (Broadway Debut), Malcolm Callender (Broadway Debut), Ta’Rea Campbell (The Hills of California) as Patty’s Mom, Juan Carlos (Broadway Debut) as Bob Newby, Lia Christina (Broadway Debut) as Alice Creel, Antoinette Comer (Mamma Mia!), Robert T. Cunningham (Broadway Debut) as Charles Sinclair, Ayana Cymone (Broadway Debut) as Sue Anderson, Tom D'Agustino (Apple TV+’s “Dear Edward”), Victor de Paula Rocha (Broadway Debut), Ian Dolley (The Holdovers) as Walter Henderson, Dora Dolphin (Broadway Debut) as Karen Childress, Nya Garner (Broadway Debut), Logan Gould (Netflix’s “The Corps”) as Lonny Byers, Shea Grant (Broadway Debut) as Claudia Yount, Andrew Hovelson (Lucky Guy) as Principal Newby, Rebecca Hurd (Broadway Debut), Alison Jaye (“Shameless”) as Joyce Maldonado, Emmy Award nominee T.R. Knight (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as Victor Creel, Ted Koch (To Kill a Mockingbird) as Chief Hopper, Jamie Martin Mann (Broadway Debut) as Ted Wheeler, Tony Nominee Louis McCartney as Henry Creel (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, West End), Patrick Scott McDermott (Flying Over Sunset),Sean Mikesh (Broadway Debut), Emmy Award nominee Gabrielle Nevaeh (Nickelodeon’s “That Girl Lay Lay”) as Patty Newby, Burke Swanson (Back to the Future: The Musical) as James Hopper, Jr., Stephen Wattrus (Take Me Out), Maya West (Broadway Debut), Eric Wiegand (Plaza Suite) as Alan Munson, Graham Winton (The Ferryman), and Francesca Yhlen (Broadway Debut) as Alice Creel.
Are monsters born... or made?
In 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, the Creel family seeks a fresh start, especially their teenage son Henry, who is eager to escape his troubled past. Initially, things go well — he finds friendship and joins the school play. But when a wave of shocking crimes strikes the town, Henry is forced to confront a terrifying truth: is there something inside him that connects him to the horrors unfolding around him?
As this thrilling mystery races forward, shadows of the past are unleashed, relationships are tested, and the town of Hawkins faces the ultimate question: can the power of friendship outshine the darkness within?
With a cast of 34, this gripping stand-alone adventure will pull you deep into the world of STRANGER THINGS. Experience the heart-pounding excitement of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW—where suspense and spectacle lurk at every turn.
Click here to watch and embed the official trailer for STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW.
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW features set design by Tony Award winner Miriam Buether, costume design by Tony Award nominee Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Tony Award winner Jon Clark, sound design by Tony Award winner Paul Arditti, original music composition, orchestration, arrangements and supervision by D.J. Walde, illusions design & visual effects by Jamie Harrison & Chris Fisher, video design & visual effects by 59, choreography by Coral Messam, movement direction by Lynne Page, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, technical direction by Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, casting by Jim Carnahan, UK casting by Jessica Ronane CDG.
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW won 4 2025 Tony Awards including Best Scenic Design of a Play (Miriam Buether and 59), Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jon Clark), and Best Sound Design of a Play (Paul Arditti). A Special Tony Award was also awarded to The Illusions & Technical Effects of Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Jamie Harrison, Chris Fisher, Gary Beestone & Edward Pierce). Additional awards recognition included 3 Drama Desk Award winsincluding Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play, Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play, and Outstanding Sound Design of a Play and 3 Outer Critics Circle Award wins including Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, and Outstanding Sound Design.
Hailed by the Daily Telegraph as “The West End Event of the Year” and the recipient of nineteen 5-star reviews and twelve 4-star reviews, STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW opened in its world premiere production at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End, where it is currently breaking box office records. The West End production won several awards including two Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Set Design, the Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Set Design and Most Promising Newcomer, and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play.
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW is produced by Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions. The Duffer Brothers act as creative producers, with 21 Laps Entertainmentas associate producer.
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW Rush Tickets are sold in-person at the Marquis Theatre Box Office (210 West 46th Street) for $40 each. Each person can purchase up to two tickets for that day's performance on a first-come, first-served basis. Locations and number of tickets based on availability. The Marquis Box Office opens at 10AM on weekdays and Saturdays and 12PM on Sundays.
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW offers a digital lottery powered by Broadway Direct. A limited number of $45 tickets are available for each performance inclusive of a $5 handling fee. The lottery will open at 10AM ET the day before each performance and close at 2PM ET that same day. Once the lottery closes, winners will be notified within minutes and will have 60 minutes to claim and pay for tickets. Seat locations and number of tickets awarded by the lottery are subject to availability. Lottery seats may be minimally obstructed. Limit one entry per person per day and limit of two tickets per entry. To enter and for more specifics, please visit https://lottery.broadwaydirect.com/show/st-nyc/.