Alison Jaye recently visited iHeartRadio Broadway to discuss her role as Joyce Maldonado in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the Broadway prequel to Netflix’s hit series.
Despite not having watched the original series before joining the production, Jaye embraced the role with authenticity. She recalled, “I have a secret. I've never watched Stranger Things,” to which the director responded, “It’s because you’re her soul. You are who she is”
Set in 1959 Hawkins, the play explores the early lives of iconic characters. Jaye, who began working on the role three years ago during workshops, says she’s grown with Joyce over time. The show’s cutting-edge special effects have wowed audiences and critics alike, and Jaye calls the entire production “the trip of a lifetime.” Despite starting out unfamiliar with the Stranger Things universe, she now plays a key role in expanding its legacy on stage.
Watch the full interview with Danielle Monaro, cohost of Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, in the video player above.