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Stranger Things

Juan Carlos posing in front of a "Stranger Things: The First Shadow" backdrop.
EntertainmentTheater

Exclusive: “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” Star Talks Broadway Debut, Fandom and Acting Process

by Annie Emans June 11, 2025
written by Annie Emans

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” opened on April 22 after an incredibly popular run on the West End. The “Stranger Things” prequel was praised during its performances in London, winning two Olivier Awards in 2024, one for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play. Since coming to the Big Apple, the play has only garnered more critical acclaim, winning three Tony Awards last Sunday.

The play transports audiences to a time before Eleven ate Eggo waffles and Will Byers went missing, walking the audience through how anxious teenager Henry Creel (Louis McCartney) became the villain, Vecna, in the iconic Netflix series. The show has shocking special effects, with characters floating in the air, spiders flooding the stage and a visually stunning opening scene where a shipwreck happens onstage.

The show is a theatrical feat, unlike anything else happening on Broadway. It’s no wonder the production was awarded a Special Tony Award for its illusions and special effects. But there is more to this production than impressive lighting, sound and sets — its cast is filled with skilled theatre performers who give the show heart and humanity.

Juan Carlos is one of these actors, making his Broadway debut playing nerdy genius Bob Newby. In the Netflix series, Bob is a successful business manager dating his high school crush, Joyce Byers. In the play, however, audiences get a chance to see Bob when he is an insecure teenager at Hawkins High School.

Carlos told The Knockturnal that he was a fan of “Stranger Things” long before he landed his role, and was ecstatic to learn more about Bob’s backstory when he read the script for the first time.

“I’m a big Bob fan,” Carlos said. “Seeing Bob before he was a mature guy who had already had [Joyce] was delightful.”

But this great opportunity came with great pressure — Carlos admitted that the cast was anxious about how “Stranger Things” fans would react to the production’s interpretations of such beloved characters. Carlos told The Knockturnal that these anxieties were quickly eased when the cast saw the fandom’s love and support for the production.

“The ‘Stranger Things’ fandom is so welcoming to us,” Carlos said. “My favorite part of every night is getting to meet the fans [at stage door] and hear their perspective [on the show].” 

With all the excitement and anxiety, Carlos told The Knockturnal that he still hasn’t been able to fully process the fact that he’s making his Broadway debut. He added that sometimes he does experience “Broadway moments” that remind him of how far he’s come, like when he took his family backstage on opening night.

“I grew up with a single mother on food stamps in Florida — this field is unheard of where I come from,” Carlos said. “[Being on Broadway] has been the most beautiful experience.”

Even though it’s his Broadway debut, Carlos is no stranger to the medium of theatre. He shifted from live theatre to film and television acting after college, booking roles in popular shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” Carlos told The Knockturnal that although he still loves performing for the silver screen, he’s so happy to return to the theatre, which he described as his “first love.”

“Theater is truly an actor’s medium, because once we’re out of rehearsal … we’re the ones on stage, going out there every night and then seeing what works,” Carlos said. “It’s amazing. There’s nothing in the world like it.”

Buy tickets to “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” here.

June 11, 2025 0 comments
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EntertainmentEventsThe LatestTV

The Stranger Things Experience Brings Hawkins To Atlanta

by Chantell Hayden November 16, 2022
written by Chantell Hayden

Hawkins is on a global wide tour. The Stranger Things Experience has officially landed in Atlanta, GA after opening in NYC and San Francisco earlier this year. The beloved Netflix series is now paired with an exciting hour-long walk through of Hawkins, Indiana.

We all know the Stranger Things kids are no stranger to danger and if you’ve ever wanted a firsthand look at the chaos, then this is your chance. Follow Max, Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin and Erica through Hawkins as they try to defeat Hawkins biggest villains.

Without giving out any spoilers, fans are invited to interact with characters at Hawkins notoriously corrupt science lab, solve mysteries through different challenges and enjoy food and drinks inspired by the show in Hawkins very own Starcourt Mall.

Guests are thrown back to the 80’s where leg warmers and tacky windbreakers are the norm, and Scoops Ahoy employees walk around (adorably) interacting with guests in their iconic sailor uniforms.

photo by netflix
photo by netflix
photo by netflix
photo by netflix
photo by netflix
photo by netflix

 

Vintage arcade video games like Joust and Dig Dug line the walls of Palace Arcade, and of course there are plenty of opportunities for photo-ops in some. Old-fashioned photo booths. Guest can even explore Will Byer’s living room and then sit and enjoy a drink at The Upside, a neon-themed bar with specialty drinks and displays with real props and costumes from the show.

And it wouldn’t be a Stranger Things adventure without having to run for your lives through the woods at some point.

We got to chat with Netflix’s Marketing Producer Iris Arias about her role as a curator and how the live experience went global.

Interview With Netflix’s Marketing Producer Isis Arias

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The Stranger Things Experience is coming to a city near you and, in addition to Atlanta, is now open in Los Angeles and London. Fans can also visit the website and nominate their cities to be Hawkins next landing spot. Tickets start at $49. Follow Stranger Things Experience for more info.

November 16, 2022 0 comments
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EntertainmentEventsThe LatestTVVideo

Exclusive: Stranger Things Opens Light Show Rifts in NYC and Around The Globe [Video]

by Rebecca Eugene June 1, 2022
written by Rebecca Eugene

Netflix celebrated the debut of Stranger Things 4 with a global rift takeover.

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June 1, 2022 0 comments
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EntertainmentThe LatestTV

Exclusive: Cast Talks ‘Stranger Things’ New Season [Video]

by Serena Khahera May 25, 2022
written by Serena Khahera

Stranger Things is returning with the highly anticipated season four.

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May 25, 2022 0 comments
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EntertainmentEventsThe LatestTV

Unlock Your Power at the Stranger Things Experience

by Jake King May 18, 2022
written by Jake King

Enter the rift and into the upside down, but watch out for Demogorgons!

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May 18, 2022 0 comments
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EntertainmentEventsThe Latest

Exclusive: Netflix Hosted and Celebrated the Screening of ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4

by Rebecca Eugene May 17, 2022
written by Rebecca Eugene

On Saturday, May 14th, Netflix hosted and celebrated the screening of ‘Stranger Things 4’ at Netflix Studios in Brooklyn, New York. 

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May 17, 2022 0 comments
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EntertainmentEventsThe Latest

David Harbour Talks About Life Before “Stranger Things”at NY Comic Con 2021

by Ethan Singh October 20, 2021
written by Ethan Singh

Ever wonder what David Harbour’s life was like before Stranger Things? It may not be what you would’ve expected. 

 

Success as an actor is often hard to define. Sometimes critical acclaim or commercial profitability are the metrics used to define success. However, there’s another lesser attained category that only a few actors ever get the honor of being – a cult classic. Thanks to Stranger Things, David Harbour has certainly hit that mark. He hasn’t always been the household name he is today and chances are most fans wouldn’t have known his life prior to the culture defining Netflix series. But judging from the response at New York Comic Con this year, they certainly wanted to know more and David was happy to share about his life prior to the show.

For starters, he grew up in New York in the East Village and stayed there for much of his life as he pursued a career as an actor. However, he wasn’t exactly dominating the big or small screen in any capacity. His appearances were mostly confined to recurring roles on short lived TV series and doing off Broadway plays. It got to the point where he was started to worry about where next month’s rent would come from. He was on a tv series that had just shot its first season and he needed it to get renewed to ensure he’d be fine financially for the coming months. He waited by the phone and hoped to get the good news, but when the phone rang, it didn’t go the way he wanted.

As you can imagine, he was saddened by the news, but it was relatively short lived. Not too long after, he got a call to audition for a certain Netflix show – Stranger Things. After auditioning though, he wasn’t exactly encouraged. He figured at first that someone with a better track record or name would get selected as it was a fairly large role and he was right. Someone else did get selected but ended up rejecting the role. Who passed up on that opportunity, we may never know, but the rest, as they say is history.

It was really great getting this story and many others like it from David and other cult classics at Comic Con. Be sure to check out the other coverage here on the Knockturnal for more interesting stories like this.

October 20, 2021 0 comments
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EntertainmentFeaturedFilmThe Latest

Film Review: ‘Black Widow’

by Ethan Singh July 8, 2021
written by Ethan Singh

Is this one of the best Marvel Movies to Date? 

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July 8, 2021 0 comments
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Fashion & BeautyLifestyleThe Latest

Spirit Halloween Has All Your Spooky Needs At New NYC Location

by Chantell Hayden October 8, 2019
written by Chantell Hayden

Spooky season has officially kicked off which means the party invites are quickly rolling in. And if you plan on celebrating the scary holiday this year rather than sitting on your couch watching a Hocus Pocus marathon, like me, then Spirit Halloween is the perfect place to visit for all of your Halloween needs.

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October 8, 2019 0 comments
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EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Exclusive: Cast Talks ‘IT: Chapter Two’ at LA Premiere [Video]

by Sebastian Cintron September 3, 2019
written by Sebastian Cintron

From Derry, Maine to Los Angeles, the cast of IT: Chapter Two cleaned up nicely for the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theater last week.

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September 3, 2019 0 comments
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