On April 14, 2025, Broadway welcomed a new production that has already generated significant buzz: John Proctor Is the Villain, which opened at the Booth Theatre. The play, written by Kimberly Belflower, is a thought-provoking exploration of high school students grappling with Arthur Miller's The Crucible in the context of the #MeToo movement. Starring Sadie Sink as Shelby Holcomb, the show features an impressive cast and has attracted notable attendees from both the entertainment and theater worlds.
Among the star-studded audience were Sink's Stranger Things co-stars Gaten Matarazzo, Maya Hawke, and Finn Wolfhard, who came out to support her on this momentous occasion. Other celebrities in attendance included Richard Kind, Reece Feldman, Constance Wu, and Jim Parsons, all eager to witness the opening night of this compelling new work.
John Proctor Is the Villain is set to run in a limited engagement until July 6, 2025. The play revolves around a group of high school students who are assigned to read The Crucible in class, prompting them to engage in deep discussions about the feminist themes and societal issues that resonate in today's world. Sink leads a talented ensemble cast, which includes Nihar Duvvuri as Mason Adams, Tony winner Gabriel Ebert as Carter Smith, and Molly Griggs as Bailey Gallagher, among others.
The play has garnered attention not just for its timely subject matter, but also for its creative team. Commissioned by The Farm Theater in 2017, John Proctor Is the Villain began its journey with workshops at the Farm Theater and the Ojai Playwrights Conference. It premiered at Centre College in 2018 and has since been produced at various venues, including Furman University and Washington D.C.'s Studio Theatre.
Director Danya Taymor has collaborated with a skilled creative team, including scenic designer AMP featuring Teresa Williams, costume designer Sarah Laux, and lighting designer Natasha Katz, to bring Belflower's vision to life. The production's understudies, including Noah Pacht and Fiona Robberson, play a crucial role in ensuring the show runs smoothly, allowing the primary cast members to shine.
As excitement builds around John Proctor Is the Villain, another production is set to make its debut on Broadway. Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel to the hit Netflix series, will officially open on April 22, 2025, at the Marquis Theatre. Maya West, a student at Emerson College, has been cast as part of the ensemble for this highly anticipated show. West's journey to Broadway has been nothing short of inspirational, as she balances her academic responsibilities with the demands of performing in a major production.
West received the life-changing news of her casting from her agent last October while she was busy with midterms. "When he told me, I started shaking in the best of possibly ways, and pacing around my room," she recalled. The moment became even more emotional when she shared the news with her mother, who had to pull over while driving due to her overwhelming happiness.
In Stranger Things: The First Shadow, West will serve as a backup for five roles, including Sue Anderson and Patty's mom, as well as three other undisclosed characters. Her experience in this ensemble role has been a valuable learning opportunity, allowing her to immerse herself in the collaborative process of bringing a show to life. "It’s eye-opening to see it come together to make a show that is vivid, scary, and thrilling to watch," West shared, emphasizing the educational aspects of her Broadway debut.
Rehearsals for Stranger Things: The First Shadow began in late January 2025, following West's casting announcement in October 2024. The production had previously debuted in London’s West End, where it won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment, setting high expectations for its Broadway run.
West's journey to Broadway has also involved a rigorous audition process, which she has navigated with the support of her manager over the past five years. After submitting her audition tape during the summer of 2024, she went through callbacks before finally securing her place in the cast.
As a native New Yorker, West has returned to her roots, living in the same apartment building where she grew up, albeit without her parents. She cherishes the moments spent with her family, especially as she prepares for her performances. "It’s funny when we have moments like that," she said, reflecting on the contrast between her family life and her burgeoning career on Broadway.
For West, being part of an original Broadway cast is a dream come true. "It’s a fun, fresh cast, and for so many of us, it’s our Broadway debuts," she expressed. The sense of community within the Stranger Things family has made her experience even more enriching, as she embraces the challenges and triumphs of performing in front of live audiences.
As both John Proctor Is the Villain and Stranger Things: The First Shadow prepare for their respective openings, the excitement surrounding these productions highlights the vibrant and evolving landscape of Broadway. With powerful stories and talented casts, these shows promise to captivate audiences and spark important conversations about societal issues.
