Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Dec?20: Stranger Things fans were left thrilled on Friday night when Jamie Campbell Bower made his Broadway debut in Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Manhattan’s Marquis Theatre. Known for portraying Vecna/Henry Creel/One on Netflix’s hit series, Bower surprised the audience by appearing at the end of the performance to reprise his TV role as adult Henry, creating a special connection between the stage prequel and the upcoming fifth season.

Typically, actor Louis McCartney plays Henry throughout the show, but the finale moment featured Bower meeting a young Eleven in Dr. Brenner’s lab, linking key plotlines from the series. The play, which premiered on London’s West End before transferring to Broadway, explores young Henry Creel’s move to Hawkins, Indiana, and his first encounters that trigger strange events, while also featuring younger versions of Joyce Maldonado, Jim Hopper Jr., Bob Newby, Karen Childress, and Ted Wheeler.

Directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin and written by series scribe Kate Trefry, the production highlights the deep tie-ins with Stranger Things Season 5. Alex Breaux, who plays Brenner on stage and appears in the final season as Lieutenant Robert Akers, is the first TV actor to join the Broadway production, with Bower now following.

Creators Matt and Ross Duffer confirmed that much of the Broadway storyline overlaps with the final season, though adjustments were made to avoid spoilers. Volume 2 of Season 5, covering episodes 5-7, drops on Netflix Christmas Day, followed by the series finale in theaters and streaming on New Year’s Eve.