Big news for Broadway and Stranger Things fans. The hit stage show Stranger Things: The First Shadow is being filmed this week with its original cast for a future release.
Because of the filming, public performances have been cancelled from Tuesday through Saturday. Theatre fans will not be able to watch the show live during these days. Performances will resume on Sunday, February 15.
The play is produced by Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions. However, producers have not yet shared details about where the filmed version will be released or when it will arrive. There is also no confirmed platform or date for the special release.
According to Deadline, which first confirmed the filming, the goal is to capture the show with the original Broadway cast before they leave the production on March 29.
One of the key stars returning for the filming is Tony Award nominee Louis McCartney, who plays young Henry Creel in the prequel story. His performance has been praised since the show first opened.
After March 29, a new cast will take over. The upcoming cast includes Victor de Paula Rocha as Henry, Ayana Cymone as Patty Newby, Shea Grant as Joyce Maldonado, Juan Carlos as Bob Newby, and Matthew Erick White as James Hopper Jr.
The show is directed by Stephen Daldry and co-directed by Justin Martin. It was written by Kate Trefrey, who also worked on the original Netflix series. The Broadway production officially opened at the Marquis Theatre on April 22, 2025, after first debuting in London in 2023.
The timing of this filming is important. The Broadway play has seen a boost in ticket sales as the Netflix series “Stranger Things” recently came to an end. For the week ending February 8, the show earned $1,400,514, making it the fifth highest-grossing production on Broadway that week.
By filming the original cast now, producers are making sure fans around the world will get a chance to see this version of the show — even if they cannot travel to New York. More updates about the release are expected in the coming months.
Feature Image: IMDb