Gabrielle Nevaeh, known for her role in Nickelodeon’s That Girl Lay Lay, has been cast as Patty Newby in the Broadway production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The announcement comes as Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions unveil the latest additions to the cast, joining the previously announced Louis McCartney as Henry Creel.
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The production, set to premiere in Spring 2025, will also feature T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy) as Victor Creel, Alex Breaux (Stranger Things Season 5) as Dr. Brenner, and Rosie Benton (Patriots) as Virginia Creel. Additional cast members include Nicky Eldridge making his Broadway debut as Bob Newby, Andrew Hovelson (Lucky Guy) as Principal Newby, Alison Jaye (Shameless) as Joyce Maldonado, and Burke Swanson (Back to the Future: The Musical) as James Hopper, Jr.
Previews for Stranger Things: The First Shadow begin Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Marquis Theatre, with an official opening slated for Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Further casting announcements are expected in January 2025.
Rooted in the rich mythology of Netflix’s Stranger Things, the play is set in Hawkins, Indiana, in 1959. It explores the origins of the beloved characters and the eerie happenings that lead to the supernatural chaos fans of the series have come to know. The official synopsis describes a “regular town with regular worries,” where young Jim Hopper struggles with his car troubles, Bob Newby’s sister dismisses his ambitions, and Joyce Maldonado dreams of leaving Hawkins. The arrival of new student Henry Creel and his family, however, sets in motion events that hint at the dark forces to come.
Written by Kate Trefry, with creative input from the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry, the play is directed by Stephen Daldry with co-direction by Justin Martin. The production debuted in London’s West End to critical acclaim, earning two Olivier Awards, including Best Entertainment.
The Broadway adaptation continues the legacy of the Stranger Things franchise, which debuted on Netflix in 2016 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the series follows a group of kids in 1980s Hawkins as they uncover a sinister government experiment, interdimensional monsters, and a secretive lab. The show has won numerous awards and garnered a massive fan base for its nostalgic storytelling and richly developed characters.