STRANGER SINGS is about to land in Reading following smash-hit off-Broadway productions as part of a UK theatre tour.
The parody musical sends up sci-fi and neon-drenched 80s-fest Stranger Things, as well as pop culture at large.
Written and scored by Jonathan Hogue, Stranger Sings features all of the characters one would expect, such as Mike, Eleven, Dustin, Joyce, Hopper, Steve, and, of course, the Demogorgon.
Among the cast is Elliott Wooster, who portrays Mike, who explains: “It’s a coming of age story set in the 80s, where four young boys are obsessed with Dungeons and Dragons, but one of them goes missing.
“So we find ourselves discovering a government conspiracy along the way of trying to find him.”
Elliott says that the musical is as much a love letter to the 80s as it is to the TV show itself: “It’s bright, synthy, and I think the TV show itself is quite colourful and vibrant.
“Our show is very into the pop culture side of it, and Dungeons and Dragons features quite prominently, especially with some of its early links to the occult and those kinds of things.
“But there are homages to films and music in the period, too.”
They explain that the production puts its own spin on the source material: “You have these huge characters, and Winona Ryder as Joyce is a masterclass in wonderfully abstract choices in the TV show.
“So getting to pick through these iconic performances and make them funny and recognisable as the character they know and love, and laughing along with that interpretation, is great.”
When recreating characters, they explain: “You have to do it out of love, or it becomes something silly, but as a musical you have a bit more license with it.
“We get to bring out these songs in the voice of a character, and tie in those music motifs and genres to those characters.
“It also brings a different type of audience too: fans of the show, fans of musicals, and fans of the 80s
“But one of the things it does well is carry that storyline through, with a full complete show.”
As for how they find performing as Mike: “He’s not necessarily the most colourful character in the TV show, as his kind of tied to Eleven, but I really enjoyed marrying his character to the musical theatre archetype.
“It makes the way the character is written truthful to the TV show while making him fun and rewarding.
“And unfortunately Eggos aren’t gluten-free.”
Elliot says: “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had on stage, and it’s because the audiences and how they respond.
“Hearing a thousand-odd people laughing in Glasgow is such a wonderful experience, and it’s been incredible to be part of.
“So if you’re a fan of musical theatre or Stranger Things, you’ll love it, and especially so if you;re a fan of both.”
Stranger Sings is showing at Reading’s Hexagon on Friday, October 27, from 7.30pm.
Details and tickets available via: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/stranger-sings
