Audiences can’t get enough of the electrifying and hilarious Parody Musical Stranger Sings!
The wildly entertaining and hilarious take on the beloved Netflix series Stranger Things returns to the stage with an extension by popular demand through April 30th! I got an invitation to experience the satirical musical in all its glory.
The off-broadway musical takes viewers back to the 80s and reimagines the world of Hawkins along with our favorite group of unsupervised children in a comical retelling of the fan-favorite television series. Watch a talented crew of only eight actors portray fifty of Hawkins beloved characters! Join Hopper, Joyce, Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin and the rest of the gang for an exciting night full of adventure, laugh-out loud dance numbers, love triangles, 80s synth, amusingly bad wigs, dancing demogorgons and finally justice for Barb!
The play puts an inventive spin on our favorite youngsters and the eerie inter-dimensional creatures with quirky, impressive and outrageous song and dance numbers. The script and incredibly funny song lyrics kept the audience fully engaged and cracking up the entirety of the play. The parody consisted of countless jokes about Barb’s whereabouts, Joyce’s madness, Nancy’s dating life and loyalty to her friends.. Cough cough.. And literally everything we were all thinking said out loud.
The incredible ensemble worked the entire room with each actor radiating amazing energy and captivating vocals. The cast paired with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Hogue – a passionate producer, writer and director with a deep love for satire and appreciation for Winona Ryder – knocked it out the park. After helming the production last year, director Nick Flatto returns to direct the hit show which won seven 2021 Broadway World Off-Broadway Awards including ‘Best New Musical.’ In addition to it’s Off-Broadway return this fall, Stranger Sings!, The Parody Musical is launching all-new productions in London (within a maze of disused railway arches underneath Waterloo Station) and Australia (bringing the The Upside Down to Down Under).
Stranger Sings takes us back to Hawkins, Indiana 1983. As guests enter Playhouse 46 at St. Luke’s they can take photos at a step and repeat, and can observe a wall of parody 80s movie posters. Guests are greeted by friendly staff and are directed to their seats as they follow the haze themed black light entrance into the upside down, where they enter the grunge 1980’s basement setting full of loads of Christmas lights, funky 80s neon lights, 1980s memorabilia, and of course dungeons & dragons. After the show you can buy themed gifts including demogorgon pins, cast posters and t-shirts.
The ensemble was cast perfectly (including outstanding performances by stand-ins) with each individual’s perfect embodiment and comedic caricature of their specific character portrayal (role/roles). The talented cast depicted exaggerated impressions that accurately conveyed specific character traits including facial expressions, gestures and tone.
The entire cast was incredible, but a few standout moments were from actor Jeremiah Garcia who flawlessly captured not only Dustin’s lisp but his quirkiness, and smart yet goofy demeanor. Nicholas Colon who made his debut portraying Hawkins flawed yet extremely lovable officer Jim Hopper, was beyond foolproof. Any scene with Nicholas, alongside Caroline Huerta’s incredible performance as a maniacal Joyce, will have you literally rolling on the floor.
(Mike) Jeffrey Laughrun and (Lucas) Jamir Brown – also making his Off-broadway debut – both encapsulated their caricatures of the loyal and determined central protagonists. Brown also slayed as the dancing demogorgon.
The overemphasized wigs and uncut lace fronts are so incredibly ridiculous and absolutely perfect that you can’t help but laugh every time Garrett Poladian hits the stage as the charming Steve Harrington and brooding Jonathan Byers. He nailed it as both extremely contrasting characters, that you won’t even realize it’s the same actor. Harley Seger who played both Eleven and Nancy also gave two convincing and distinctly different performances that will have you crying of laughter.
Who’s left ? BARB!!!!! Normally played by SLee (below), the missing ginger was played by Hannah Clarke Levine that night. Hannah was incredible and literally stole the show! Barb said forget Nancy and partied hard down under without her disloyal friend.
Did we all forget about Will? Well, you’re in for a surprise!
Go see this genius, unconventional, sarcastic and uproarious take on your favorite TV show. Stranger Sings features an immersive and impressive setting in an 80s style basement, an outrageously amusing cast, great set design and costumes, and remarkable sound and music. It was a great experience that I highly recommend to not only fans of musicals but fans of satire and especially fans of Stranger Things! All the performers, cast and crew did an outstanding job.
*Book tickets in advance, there are different prices but the seat doesn’t necessarily matter as everyone can see pretty clearly. Eat beforehand as beverages aren’t allowed in theater and once you sit you can’t move until intermission. (15 minute intermission)
Get Your Tickets HERE:
The creative team includes direction by Nick Flatto, choreography by Ashley Marinelli, musical supervision, arrangements & orchestrations by Michael Kaish, a scenic design by Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award nominee Walt Spangler, costume design by Matthew Solomon, lighting design by Drama Desk nominee Jamie Roderick, sound design by Germán Martínez & Cosette Pin, and props by Brendan McCann. Kathleen Rose Gallardo is Production Stage Manager, and Lara Sato is Assistant Stage Manager. Casting is by Zachary Spiegel, CSA; general management by Visceral Entertainment, advertising & marketing by Leanne Schanzer Promotions, digital marketing by Super Awesome Friends, and the production counsel is Feldshon Law, PLLC – Lee Adhemar G. Feldshon, Esq.
Stranger Sings! is produced by Sue Gilad, Larry Rogowsky, Nick Flatto, and Jonathan Hogue. Co-Producers include Catherine Schreiber, Bard Theatricals, Miranda Farag, Inbal & Ron Gonen, Xin Wen, and Jason Turchin / Jim Kierstead. Joseph Longthorne is an Associate Producer.
To purchase tickets or for further information, visit StrangerSings.com.
Gotham Geek Girl 