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Chicago – Another side of actor Jeremy Piven (“Entourage”) emerges this weekend in a Chicago premiere of his latest film, “The Performance,” at the AMC River East theaters on Saturday, December 14th at 5pm. Piven and his sister Shira – the director and co-writer – will appear for a Q&a moderated by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

Jeremy Piven portrays Harold May, a gifted but underemployed tap dancer in 1930s New York City whose early success is getting swallowed by The Depression. Along with members of his troupe – cynical ladies’ man Benny Worth (Adam Garcia), closeted young hoofer Paul Garner (Isaac Gryn), svelte singer Sira (Lara Wolf), and Carol Conway (Maimie McCoy) – he hopes to find steady employment through a European tour, which leads to a tempting offer to do the act in 1936 Berlin, Germany. Now especially, Harold May again will closet his Jewish roots.

‘The Performance’ at AMC River East

Photo credit: Gvn Releasing

Jeremy Piven,...

The premise of The Performance, which is based on a 2002 Arthur Miller short story, is intriguing and more than a little pertinent for these times even though it is set in 1937.

Harold May (who changed his last name from Markovitz) is a struggling entertainer who is tap-dancing his way through life as leader of an American dance troupe. He gets an opportunity that on the surface of things seems irresistible when he is offered more money than he could imagine to perform just one night in Berlin. There is danger there, however, as Harold is a Jewish American and Germany is seeing the rise of Nazism and antisemitism. Nevertheless, he is somewhat in denial thinking he will be immune to all of this, the money is too tempting, and the chance to take this job with his troupe cannot be passed up.

What he doesn’t realize is just exactly...

Netflix has teamed up with Sonia Friedman Productions to produce the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is “rooted in the mythology” of the hit streaming series Stranger Things and opened at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End back in December. The show has been breaking box office records and won several awards, and in 2025, it will be making the jump to Broadway. Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set to begin previews at the Marquis Theatre on Friday, March 28, 2025 and officially open on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Now, Variety reports that the actor who will be playing the character of Henry Creel in the Broadway production is the same actor who has been playing him in London’s West End, Louis McCartney! This will be McCartney’s Broadway debut. His final performance in the West End production will be on November 10th.

A while back, Deadline heard...

While we wait for the final season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” we’ve learned this week that the live stage play “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is coming to Broadway.

The critically acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning, “mega five-star hit” (Sunday Times) play will begin performances Friday, March 28, 2025 and officially open Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre (210 West 46th Street).

Based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and 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.

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is described as “a new story live on stage,” and it’s set in Hawkins, 1959. “The First Shadow” takes place “before the world turned upside down.”

Hailed by the Daily Telegraph as “The West End Event of...

Netflix has teamed up with Sonia Friedman Productions to produce the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is “rooted in the mythology” of the hit streaming series Stranger Things and opened at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End back in December. The show has been breaking box office records and recently won several awards, so its run has been extended into 2025… and now Deadline has broken the news that the show will also be coming to Broadway next year! Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set to begin previews at the Marquis Theatre on Friday, March 28, 2025 and officially open on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

A while back, Deadline heard that Stranger Things: The First Shadow “will be the first instalment in a trilogy exploring the dark underbelly of Hawkins, Indiana. Breaking Baz can reveal parts two and three are set to follow the inaugural play in two or three year intervals,...

Netflix expands upon the “Stranger Things Universe” with the brand new “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a live stage play that’s become a massive hit over in London.

Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions today released the first look trailer for the critically acclaimed world premiere production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. With some of the groundbreaking theatrical special effects teased on film for the first time, the show announces an extension into 2025 at the Phoenix Theatre.

Written by Kate Trefry and with direction by Stephen Daldry and co-director Justin Martin, the production opened to rave reviews at the Phoenix Theatre on December 14, 2023. The show, currently breaking box office records at Phoenix Theatre where it is now booking until February 16, 2025, has recently won several awards including the Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Set Design, the Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Set Design and Most Promising Newcomer, and...

Netflix has teamed up with Sonia Friedman Productions to produce the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is “rooted in the mythology” of the hit streaming series Stranger Things and opened at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End back in December. The show has been breaking box office records and recently won several awards, including the 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. Due to unprecedented demand, the stage play’s run has just been extended into 2025, with Phoenix Theatre booking it until February 16. Along with the extension comes the unveiling of a trailer, which can be seen in the embed above and allows the show’s “groundbreaking theatrical special effects to be teased on film for the first time.”

A while back, Deadline...

Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions today released the trailer for the critically acclaimed world premiere production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. With some of the groundbreaking theatrical special effects teased on film for the first time, the show has announced an extension into 2025 at the Phoenix Theatre.

Written by Kate Trefry and with direction by Stephen Daldry and co-director Justin Martin, the production opened to rave reviews at the Phoenix Theatre on December 14, 2023.

The show, currently breaking box office records at Phoenix Theatre, where it is now booked until 16 February, has recently won several awards, including the 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.

Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously,...

How far will you go to deny your identity in order to be a somebody? What happens when you make a deal with a devil whom you might normally despise, but has transfixed much of an entire nation’s population? And how long can you will yourself to ignore evidence of the intolerable? These are just a few of the questions raised — sometimes with allusive finesse, sometimes with blunt-force impact — during “The Performance,” an enthralling period drama with often disquieting contemporary relevance.

If you have roamed through this cinematic territory before, you may discern in Shira Piven’s exceptional film traces of “Cabaret,” “Mephisto” and other tales of ambitious entertainers striving for the spotlight as Adolf Hitler’s shadow spreads over 1930s Germany. But this largely faithful adaptation and intelligent expansion of a 2002 short story by Arthur Miller ultimately stands on its own merits as both vivid historical recreation and riveting cautionary fable,...

Netflix is teaming up with Sonia Friedman Productions to produce the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is “rooted in the mythology” of the hit streaming series Stranger Things and officially opens at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End tonight, December 14th. According to Deadline, if this one is well received, it might be the first in a trilogy of Stranger Things stage plays!

Deadline hears Stranger Things: The First Shadow “will be the first instalment in a trilogy exploring the dark underbelly of Hawkins, Indiana. Breaking Baz can reveal parts two and three are set to follow the inaugural play in two or three year intervals, according to insiders associated with the production. The stage sequels will launch in London first. Meanwhile, there are already plans for Stranger Things: The First Shadow to transfer to Broadway.” Of course, this all depends on the reviews and box office receipts,...

Netflix is teaming up with Sonia Friedman Productions to produce the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is “rooted in the mythology” of the hit streaming series Stranger Things and is set to officially open at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on December 14th. The show will then run through next August. (Tickets are available Here.) With the opening date right around the corner, Netflix has shared a batch of images from the show’s previews that give a look at what it’s going to be like to experience this Stranger Things story as it plays out on the stage. The images can be seen at the bottom of this article.

Written by Stranger Things writer and co-executive producer Kate Trefry from an original story she crafted with the Duffer Brothers and Jack Thorne, Stranger Things: The First Shadow has the following synopsis: Hawkins,...

Netflix expands upon the “Stranger Things Universe” with the brand new “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a live stage play that’s headed to London for the holidays.

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is said to be a “new story live on stage,” and it’s set in Hawkins, 1959. “The First Shadow” takes place “before the world turned upside down.”

The World Premiere takes the stage December 14 at the Phoenix Theatre on London’s West End, with previews beginning November 17. Check out your first look above!

Netflix has also revealed the first act title of the play: “Chapter One: The Girl From Nowhere.”

The cast includes Louis McCartney (Silent Roar, Hope Street, Game of Thrones) as Henry Creel, Ella Karuna Williams (The Equalizer) as Patty Newby and Patrick Vaill (Oklahoma!, Macbeth, Dash & Lily) as Dr. Brenner.

Oscar Lloyd (The 47th, Hotel Portofino, 4 O’Clock Club) takes on the role as Jim Hopper,...

Netflix is teaming up with Sonia Friedman Productions to produce the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is “rooted in the mythology” of the hit streaming series Stranger Things and is set to have its world premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on December 14th. The show will then run through next August. (Tickets are available Here.) With the premiere date swiftly approaching, a promo video that goes behind the scenes of the stage play has arrived online, and you can check it out in the embed above!

Written by Stranger Things writer and co-executive producer Kate Trefry from an original story she crafted with the Duffer Brothers and Jack Thorne, Stranger Things: The First Shadow has the following synopsis: Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his...

A new look at “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a prequel play based on the blockbuster Netflix series that begins previews on stage in London this month, has been released.

The promotional video – which includes numerous backstage looks at the production, as well as some new interviews with “Stranger Things” creators Ross and Matt Duffer – debuted on Monday as part of “Stranger Things Day.”

Here’s the logline for the new play, which takes place in 1959 and focuses on the origins of Henry Creel (who later becomes the villainous Vecna and is played by Jamie Campbell Bower in the Netflix series):

Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his...

Netflix is kicking off “Stranger Things Day” this morning with a first look at “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a live stage play that’s headed to London later this month.

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is said to be a “new story live on stage,” and it’s set in Hawkins, 1959. “The First Shadow” takes place “before the world turned upside down.”

The World Premiere takes the stage December 14 at the Phoenix Theatre on London’s West End, with previews beginning November 17. Go behind the scenes in the video below!

The cast includes Louis McCartney (Silent Roar, Hope Street, Game of Thrones) as Henry Creel, Ella Karuna Williams (The Equalizer) as Patty Newby and Patrick Vaill (Oklahoma!, Macbeth, Dash & Lily) as Dr. Brenner.

Oscar Lloyd (The 47th, Hotel Portofino, 4 O’Clock Club) takes on the role as Jim Hopper, Jr., Isabella Pappas (Finding Alice, The Villains of Valley View,...

While much time still stands before the conclusion to the Duffer Brothers’ “Stranger Things” Netflix series, with Season 5 awaiting a deal for its actors, the prequel play — “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” — will give audiences a glimpse further into the past and the origins of the Upside Down.

Set in 1959 Hawkins, the play will focus on the arrival of Henry Creel to “a regular town with regular worries.” Teenage Jim Hopper, Bob Newby and Joyce Maldonado also star, as does a younger Dr. Martin Brenner (Patrick Vaill), who began the cruel experiments on Young Henry.

As with any new iteration of “Stranger Things,” there’s a new crucial character — this time, it’s Patty Newby (Ella Karuna Williams). There is also a Principal Newby (Matthew Pigeon), but that figure is of less importance to the plot.

“The main thrust of the story is Patty and her little budding romance with Henry,...

We’re getting the first look at Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a live stage show based on the hit Netflix series. Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions have released some rehearsal images for the stage show that opens at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on Dec. 14, with previews beginning Nov. 17.

The First Shadow is set in Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.

Written by Kate Trefry, and directed by Stephen Daldry, with co-direction by Justin Martin, the cast includes Shane Attwooll (Chief Hopper), Kemi Awoderu...

Ahead of “Stranger Things 5,” set to be the final season of the Netflix series, the saga will be taking to the stage in London for the upcoming “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is said to be a “new story live on stage,” and it’s set in Hawkins, 1959. “The First Shadow” takes place “before the world turned upside down.”

The World Premiere takes place on December 14 at the Phoenix Theatre on London’s West End, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon. Previews begin November 17.

Rehearsals are now underway and the cast has been officially announced by Netflix. Many of the actors will be playing younger versions of beloved “Stranger Things” characters.

The cast includes Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, Ella Karuna Williams (The Equalizer) as Patty Newby and Patrick Vaill as Dr. Brenner.

Oscar Lloyd takes on the role as Jim Hopper, Jr., Isabella Pappas...

Netflix is teaming up with Sonia Friedman Productions to produce the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is “rooted in the mythology” of the hit streaming series Stranger Things and is set to have its world premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on December 14th. The show will then run through next August. (Tickets are available Here.) With just a few months to go before the premiere, Variety has learned that the full cast for Stranger Things: The First Shadow has been assembled, including the actors who will be playing younger version of characters from the series like Joyce, Hopper, Dr. Brenner, Bob Newby, and Henry Creel!

Here’s the cast: Shane Attwooll (Chief Hopper), Kemi Awoderu (Sue Anderson), Chase Brown (Lonnie Byers), Christopher Buckley (Bob Newby), Ammar Duffus (Charles Sinclair), Gilles Geary (Ted Wheeler), Florence Guy (Karen Childress), Max Harwood (Allen Munson), Michael Jibson (Victor Creel), Oscar Lloyd,...

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” announced its full cast Wednesday ahead of its worldwide opening live on stage at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End.

Playwright Kate Tefry’s stage production will take viewers back to Hawkins, Indiana, in 1959 before the events of “Stranger Things” Season 1 and any inkling of The Upside Down. Directed by Stephen Daldry with codirection from Justin Martin, the theatrical installment premieres Dec. 14.

“With rehearsals now underway, it’s a joy to discover the world of ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ with our ferociously talented cast and watch the alchemy amongst our entire company grow as we together explore this new play,” Daldry and Martin said in a statement. “They’re an extraordinarily gifted group of actors, and we can’t wait to share this origin story with audiences.”

Full cast of “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” (Netflix)

Shane Attwooll will portray Chief Hopper,...

Preview

London’s upcoming stage production of “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” has announced its full cast, including who will play young Hopper, Joyce, Dr. Brenner and Henry Creel (who will later turn into Vecna) — characters from the show played by David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Matthew Modine and Jamie Campbell Bower, respectively.

From Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” acts as a prequel to the Duffer Brothers’ hit series, beginning in 1959 Hawkins, Ind.

With production on the upcoming fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” paused indefinitely until the writers and actors strikes are settled, this West End stage production will have to tie fans over in the meantime.

(L-r) Oscar Lloyd, Isabella Pappas (Joyce Maldonado), and Christopher Buckley (Bob Newby)

“The cast of ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ is nothing short of phenomenal,” said the Duffer Brothers in a statement. The “Stranger Things” series creators...

Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions have revealed the full cast for the world premiere of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a live stage show that’s based on the Netflix hit.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow opens at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on Dec. 14, with previews beginning in eight weeks. Written by Kate Trefry and directed by Stephen Daldry with co-direction by Justin Martin, the cast includes Shane Attwooll (Chief Hopper), Kemi Awoderu (Sue Anderson), Chase Brown (Lonnie Byers), Christopher Buckley (Bob Newby), Ammar Duffus (Charles Sinclair), Gilles Geary (Ted Wheeler), Florence Guy (Karen Childress), Max Harwood (Allen Munson), Michael Jibson (Victor Creel), Oscar Lloyd (James Hopper, Jr.), Louis McCartney (Henry Creel), Isabella Pappas (Joyce Maldonado), Matthew Pidgeon (Father Newby), Calum Ross (Walter Henderson), Maisie Norma Seaton (Claudia Henderson), Patrick Vaill (Dr. Brenner), Lauren Ward (Virginia Creel), and Ella Karuna Williams (Patty Newby).

Other cast members are Tricia Adele-Turner,...

The London stage production based on Stranger Things has announced its cast and set dates for the beginning of previews and its formal opening.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel to the Netflix hit that’s set in 1959, will begin previews Nov. 17 at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End, with an opening date set for Dec. 14. Rehearsals for the play, written by Kate Trefry and directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, are underway.

“It’s a joy to discover the world of Stranger Things: The First Shadow with our ferociously talented cast and watch the alchemy amongst our entire company grow as we together explore this new play,” Daldry and Martin said in a statement. “They’re an extraordinarily gifted group of actors, and we can’t wait to share this origin story with audiences.”

The First Shadow stars Shane Attwooll, Christopher Buckley, Michael Jibson,...