Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a play inspired by the hit Netflix series, which debuted at the Phoenix Theater on London's West End in December 2023 before heading to Broadway in 2025. But while it's rooted in the mythology of the Stranger Things series and won three Tony Awards out of five nominations, those are not the only reasons to watch the play.The stage play also connects to Stranger Things season 5. While the series creators are not making Stranger Things: The First Shadow a required viewing for fans of the Netflix series, there are some scenes in part 1 of season 5 that gain a lot more meaning for those who've watched the play.Disclaimer: This article may contain spoilers for Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Stranger Things season 5.The stage play is a prequel that focuses on a young Henry Creel (Louis McCartney), whose family has just moved to Hawkins in 1959. In Stranger Things season 5 episode 4, Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) is trapped in Henry's memories, as is Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher).How is Stranger Things: The First Shadow connected to the Netflix series? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostHenry Creel is revealed as One (001), aka the main antagonist, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), in the Stranger Things series. Episode 4 of the fifth and final season, titled Sorcerer, shows how, while little, the stage play is connected to the events of the show.Besides the fact that it focuses on the young Henry Creel and the parents of the Stranger Things kids' run-in with Henry, the events of the stage play are also directly connected to Max's storyline in Stranger Things season 5 episode 4. While trapped in Henry's memories, Max gets stuck reliving the massacre that happened at the Hawkins National Lab.A brief snippet in the episode shows Max walking through one of Henry's memories. It includes a scene from the halls of Hawkins High in 1959. As mentioned, Hawkins 1959 is the primary setting of the stage play. It's the year Henry and his family moved to Hawkins and the beginning of a series of strange and horrific events in the Indiana town.There's also a scene where Birdy (Joyce Maldonado) passes out flyers for her upcoming school theater production titled Oklahoma. The starring role is none other than Henry Creel.Vecna in Stranger Things season 5 (Image via YouTube/Netflix)Ross Duffer also said, per The Wrap, that Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a "fun Easter egg" for season 5 of the Netflix series. He also told Entertainment Weekly that fans who have seen the play will find it a "fun watch," especially now that the series has released part 1 of season 5. He added that the Broadway show serves as a connective tissue between the seasons of the series.Speaking of which, one of the references fans may have noticed from The First Shadow is the mention of a cave in the desert Henry refuses to visit, where he gained his powers. It's an Easter egg for the location that Max is using as a refuge.Will Stranger Things: The First Shadow cast appear in Netflix's Stranger Things season 5?While Stranger Things: The First Shadow is directly connected to the Stranger Things season 5, there will be no crossover happening between the Netflix show and the Broadway/West End play. The Duffers confirmed that none of the theater actors will appear in the TV series. Matt Duffer told Entertainment Weekly:"Nobody from the cast of the play is returning [to star in the series], although Louis [McCartney] is absolutely incredible. We're very careful with the play, knowing how few people in the scheme of things are gonna be able to see that, to make sure that season 5 functions entirely on its own."Louis McCartney plays the role of young Henry Creer in both the West End and Broadway productions of Stranger Things: The First Shadow.The first four episodes of Stranger Things season 5 are now streaming on Netflix.