The Broadway Show: Uncut

Episode: The Women of 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow'

Host: Tamsen Fadal
Date: March 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the remarkable women bringing the Upside Down to Broadway in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the much-anticipated theatrical prequel to the hit Netflix series. Host Tamsen Fadal sits down for in-depth interviews with Alison Jay (Joyce Byers) and Gabrielle Nevaeh (Patty Newby), exploring their journeys to the stage, preparing for such physically and emotionally challenging roles, and the significance of new representation in the world of "Stranger Things." The conversations provide valuable behind-the-scenes insights, memorable personal reflections, and candid thoughts about legacy, fandom, and the future.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Alison Jay—Returning Home to Broadway and Becoming Joyce Byers

Segment Start: [00:20]

• A Year-Long Milestone and Surreal Experience

  • Alison has performed in about 327 shows, approaching her one-year anniversary with the company ([00:32]).
  • Reflects on the surreal feeling of both just beginning and having lived in this world for what feels like forever.

• A Personal Homecoming

  • Alison grew up in New York, started on Broadway as a child, and recently moved back from L.A. for this role ([01:13]).
  • Journaling captured her sense of coming full circle and returning to her theatrical roots.

• Facing Fears and Honoring Joyce Byers

  • Initial fear: "I want to pay the most respect and homage to [Winona Ryder] and this character while also feeling the freedom to explore who I am in this role." ([02:00])
  • Supported by the creative team to reinterpret Joyce for the stage, especially as a younger version.
  • Alison's fear of being "buried alive" by the pressure to become Winona fades over time.

• Interpreting the Story for All Audiences

  • The play is an origin story: "The backstory of Henry Creel, Vecna... in Hawkins, Indiana, 1959." ([03:12])
  • "You do not have to have seen the TV show to understand our production, which is incredible." ([03:32])
  • Fans of the series will find "endless nuggets," including hints about season five embedded within the stage narrative.

• Fandom, New Audiences, and the Power of Live Theater

  • Many audience members are first-time Broadway or live theater attendees ([04:09]).
  • The show demystifies Broadway and welcomes new fans: "The biggest gift... is introducing anybody and everybody to feel comfortable in a space that can feel really intimidating." ([04:23])
  • Broadway fans uniquely invested in “discovering things nobody else knows... nuggets only on stage.” ([04:58])

• Physical Demands and Preparation

  • Describes performing as "the Olympics on that stage" ([05:26]), highlighting the stamina and tenacity required from every cast and crew member.
  • On rough days, audience excitement powers her through: "It could be one of the most important nights of their year that they've maybe saved up for." ([06:26])

• Her Pre-Show Routine

  • "I actually do a three minute plank before the show every day." ([07:05])
  • Credits their vocal/dialect coach Liz Hayes for an effective warmup process.

• Her Early Career Beginnings

  • Started at age ten in "Sunday in the Park with George"—her first audition and job ([07:38]).
  • Later performed in "Mary Poppins," studied at USC, initially unaware Broadway would be her path—her parents encouraged her non-theatrical interests, but theater resonated most.

• Reflecting on “Stranger Things” as an Ongoing Phenomenon

  • Considers the magnitude of the show: "When I'm 80 years old and I look back... that was one of the largest phenomenons in cultural history, and you got to run around and play a part in that." ([09:22])

Notable Quote:

• "Fandoms have taught me a lot. I've never experienced audiences like these audiences before." — Alison Jay ([04:09])

2. Gabrielle Nevaeh—Crafting Patty Newby and Transitioning from TV to Broadway

Segment Start: [10:03]

• A Unique Path to Broadway

  • Gabrielle describes her Broadway journey as unexpected: "I got an email that said 'Stranger Things, Broadway, self-tape audition.' I was like, never gonna book this. I'm not a Broadway girly." ([10:53])
  • Originally approached her audition with TV instincts ("more filmistic style"), then was called for an intensive seven-hour callback in NY ([11:16]).
  • Played the entire Henry and Patty arc as a one-woman show for the callback and influenced script direction: "We were rewriting the script... tailored to myself, because Patty was very different in the West End." ([11:35])

• Creating Patty and Shaping the Story

  • Gabrielle’s input transformed Patty’s dynamics and relationships; now sees her Thumbprint in Patty’s role: "To be able to create Patty from the ground up... it's incredible." ([12:06])

• From TV to Stage—Changing Habits

  • Transitioned from television’s slower, introspective acting style: "I love to take my time... but Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a three-hour-long play. We gotta get it out." ([12:36])
  • Had to adjust to stage pace—"There's no time for mugging for the camera... had to learn a different way." ([13:06])
  • Directors Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin supported her, often reminding, "Cut the pauses, Gabrielle." ([13:18])

• Physical Intensity and Voice Care

  • Describes the show as "probably the most physical thing I’ve ever done... like doing an action movie. I feel like Tom Cruise." ([13:36])
  • From "screaming to singing to just speaking my dialogue," she emphasizes the need for vocal and physical prep.

• Drawing on TV Experience

  • Fast-paced sketch work on Nickelodeon's 'All That' helped her adapt to script changes and the rapid adjustments required during live Broadway performances ([14:21]).

• Blending Theatrical and Cinematic Styles

  • The play feels like a hybrid: “It’s meant to feel like you’re watching an episode of television being shot live. There are really small, intimate moments… it feels like we’re watching a movie right now.” ([14:52])

• Comedic Roots and Growing Up Onstage

  • Not widely recognized for comedy in this dramatic role: "Sometimes I get people saying, 'Gabrielle, you weren't funny.' It hurt my feelings." ([15:30])
  • Patty’s story is a tragic love story, but fans who've followed her career appreciate seeing her "step into womanhood" and tell more mature stories.

• Representation, Belonging, and Social Narratives

  • Biracial representation is important: "Kate Tree Fryer, our writer, was very specific about..." presenting the American 1950s accurately, without being overtly preachy ([16:49]).
  • Subtle nods to racism are realistic but not heavy-handed: "With Walter calling her Mystery Meat... if you're watching in the audience, you're like, 'Wait, pause. That's not right.'" ([17:13])
  • She treasures scenes where other characters stand up for Patty, noting the impact for audiences witnessing her character's journey and origin.

• The End of Her Broadway Run and Looking Forward

  • Nearing the end of her run and feeling bittersweet: "It's wild, it's epic, it's beautiful, it's bittersweet because my run is almost over" ([18:14]).
  • Reflective: "At the beginning... I asked myself... are you gonna enjoy this?... and here we are at the end. I can say confidently that I did enjoy it." ([18:52])
  • Next: Returning to film and TV ([19:04]).

Notable Quote:

• "It's probably the most physical thing I've ever done... Every night, it's like doing an action movie. I feel like Tom Cruise." — Gabrielle Nevaeh ([13:36])
• "I think that specifically biracial representation is key, and it's a really beautiful lens that we get to look through." — Gabrielle Nevaeh ([16:49])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Alison Jay on Broadway Fandom:
  "The level of excitement fans have of feeling like they're learning things and discovering things nobody else knows... and those little nuggets are only on stage, they're not captured anywhere else." ([04:58])

• Gabrielle Nevaeh on Her Role's Evolution:
  "To be able to create Patty from the ground up and have a say in the Henry and Patty storyline... it's incredible." ([12:06])

• Both Performers on Physicality:

  • Alison: "I like to say I feel like it's the Olympics on that stage from each and every company member." ([05:26])
  • Gabrielle: "...Probably the most physical thing I've ever done... It's like doing an action movie. I feel like Tom Cruise." ([13:36])

• On Representation and Growth:
  "You're also watching me as a person step into womanhood... I'm telling a story about a little biracial girl falling in love with a little white boy in the 1950s under a supernatural scope. And what does that look like?" — Gabrielle Nevaeh ([15:57])

• On Legacy:
  "Maybe it'll hit me when I'm 80 and be like, whoa. I mean, I definitely feel 'whoa' all the time, but I think it's so much larger than I even have the capacity to understand right now." — Alison Jay ([09:28])

Important Timestamps

• [00:20] Alison Jay discusses joining The First Shadow
• [02:00] Alison on honoring Winona Ryder's Joyce Byers
• [03:12] Alison describes the show's setting and appeal
• [04:09] Alison on new fans and Broadway newcomers
• [05:26] Alison on the physical challenge of the show
• [07:05] Alison's pre-show plank and vocal routine
• [10:53] Gabrielle Nevaeh recounts her audition experience
• [13:36] Gabrielle on the action-movie physical demands
• [14:52] Gabrielle distinguishes stage vs. TV acting
• [15:57] Gabrielle on representation and personal growth
• [18:52] Gabrielle reflects on enjoying her Broadway experience and moving on

Conclusion

This episode offers a rich, personal look at what it means to trailblaze on Broadway—through nostalgia, pressure, gender and race dynamics, and the thrill of performing for a new generation of fans. Alison Jay and Gabrielle Nevaeh’s candid reflections reveal the emotional and physical investment behind making Stranger Things: The First Shadow a groundbreaking, accessible experience. Both actresses highlight the lasting impact of meaningful storytelling, and the importance of representation for Broadway's ever-changing audience.

For more extended interviews and Broadway features, tune in to The Broadway Show: Uncut.