Will The First Shadow Enhance Understanding of Stranger Things Season 5?

NEW YORK CITY, New York — As excitement builds for the fifth and final season of Netflix‘s ‘Stranger Things,’ the question arises: Do viewers need to see the Broadway play ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow‘ to fully appreciate the season? The answer, according to the play’s writer Kate Trefry, is both yes and no.

Trefry, who serves as a writer for both the play and the television series, explained that the objective was to create a stand-alone experience for both the play and the TV show. ‘We had to make the play both a stand-alone thing and the TV show a stand-alone thing, just because it’s not fair to demand people go see the play in order to understand the fifth season,’ Trefry told Polygon. ‘However, I definitely think the fifth season is much more satisfying if you make your way to the play — because it does complicate it.’

The play, set back in 1959, tells the story of the Creel family as they attempt to start anew in Hawkins, Indiana. However, their son Henry’s past proves to be a heavy burden. As Trefry describes, ‘As a crime wave sweeps Hawkins, Henry has to confront something much more terrifying than just fitting in at a new school: Is something inside him causing the horrors around him?’

Henry Creel, known to fans as Vecna, is central to the narrative of ‘The First Shadow,’ exploring his past and the origins of his dark persona. Trefry noted the creative discussions that took place when developing Vecna’s character during the writers’ room sessions for the show. ‘We had a lot of discussions about what kind of evil he would be,’ she said. ‘Was he something like Jason from ‘Friday the 13th,’ or more akin to the lurking evil that Michael Myers represents in ‘Halloween’?

Co-director Justin Martin highlighted the challenge of bringing the ambitious set pieces of ‘Stranger Things’ to the stage, emphasizing that ‘the thrill lies in the challenge of the impossible.’ He reiterated Trefry’s sentiment, explaining that the play expands the narrative and enhances the overall depth of Vecna’s character, providing a richer context for Season 5 storylines.

Indeed, the intertwining of the play and the series serves to deepen the viewer’s understanding of each character’s motivations. Trefry also mentioned that building the emotional connection was crucial for achieving the right tone in ‘The First Shadow.’ ‘It’s not about nostalgia; it’s these outsiders coming together, and their friendship being the saving force. That’s the force of good,’ she said.

Despite the interconnectedness, Trefry maintained that audiences should not feel obligated to view the Broadway production to grasp Season 5. It provides additional narrative layers but is not essential for comprehension. ‘You’re not protected by the screen, and that feels really exciting,’ Martin remarked, reflecting on the immersive experience of theater.

‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ is currently in previews at the Marquis Theatre in New York City, with an official opening set for April 22. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await the arrival of ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5, expected to premiere in October.