Joe Keery, known for his role in the hit series *Stranger Things*, has made his much-anticipated Broadway debut in the acclaimed revival of *Other Desert Cities*. As he steps into this exciting new chapter in his career, Keery has revealed that encouragement from his former co-star, Sadie Sink, played a significant part in his decision to venture into theatre.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Joe-Keery-and-Sadie-Sink-102326-1c2f151aca3d418a83716b48fa744d3b.jpg)
In an exclusive interview, Keery, 34, spoke about the encouragement and advice he received from 24-year-old Sink, who portrayed Max Mayfield on *Stranger Things*. “Sadie had some good words of advice and really kind of urged me to do it,” he shared, reflecting on their conversations prior to the opening of *Other Desert Cities* on 18 October. She believed he would enjoy the experience, something that resonated with him as he prepared for his stage debut.
Sink’s background in theatre is substantial. She made her Broadway debut as a child in the 2012 revival of *Annie* and later starred alongside Helen Mirren in *The Audience*. Most notably, she received a Tony Award nomination for her role in *John Proctor Is the Villain*, before taking the stage in a West End production of *Romeo & Juliet*. Keery mentioned their reconnection prior to the opening of Sink’s latest play, highlighting the camaraderie that exists among the *Stranger Things* cast.
Keery isn’t solely relying on Sink for guidance; he has also been in touch with another former co-star, Gaten Matarazzo. Matarazzo, famous for his portrayal of Dustin Henderson on the Netflix series, is currently starring in a revival of *Rent* in London. “I’ve been texting Gaten as *Rent* has opened, and yeah, he’s killing it over there,” Keery said, acknowledging the connections he retains with his fellow cast members as they each carve their paths in the world of theatre.
With the completion of five seasons of *Stranger Things* almost a year ago, *Other Desert Cities* marks a new and thrilling phase for Keery. His multifaceted career has seen him transition seamlessly between television, film, and music, performing under the name Djo. The revival of *Other Desert Cities*, written by Jon Robin Baitz and directed by John Benjamin Hickey, also features an impressive cast, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Allison Janney.
Set against the backdrop of Palm Springs, the play portrays a politically influential family grappling with deep-seated secrets when their daughter returns home for Christmas with a memoir that threatens to expose them. Keery takes on the role of Trip Wyeth, the youngest son who finds himself entangled in the escalating friction between his parents, played by Louis-Dreyfus and Ed Harris, and the other adult figures in the story, represented by his sister and aunt, played by Lily Rabe and Janney.
The opportunity to share the stage with Louis-Dreyfus has been particularly meaningful for Keery. “I’m a huge fan of hers, obviously,” he expressed. “I grew up with her amazing shows and amazing movies. And yeah, how special is that?” This sentiment highlights the unique experience of making his debut alongside such a renowned figure in the industry.
As for the possibility of eventually stepping into a musical role, Keery remains open to the idea. “I don’t have any plans at the moment, but never say never. Who knows, really?” he mused. The actor and musician is enthusiastic about exploring diverse opportunities within his career, stating, “What has been so fun for me in this career that I’ve been so lucky to have is I’ve been able to do all these different things. So I’m someone who really enjoys doing things that feel new and fresh.”
With *Other Desert Cities* now running at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre, tickets are available, and the limited engagement is set to continue through to 17 January 2027. Keery’s foray into theatre, spurred on by encouragement from friends and co-stars, has successfully marked his arrival in the world of live performance, adding another chapter to his dynamic career.