Learn about Gaten Matarazzo's stage work ahead of 'Rent'

The Stranger Things star and young Broadway veteran makes his West End debut in a bold revival of Rent this autumn.

Summary

• Gaten Matarazzo made his Broadway debut aged nine in Priscilla Queen of the Desert
• His other Broadway credits include Les Misérables; Dear Evan Hansen and Sweeney Todd
• He is best known as Dustin Henderson in Netflix's Stranger Things
• Matarazzo makes his West End debut this autumn playing Mark in a new production of Rent

Born in New London, Connecticut in 2002, Gaten Matarazzo was raised in New Jersey, where he began theatrical training. He made his Broadway debut at the age of nine. He is best known for his role as Dustin Henderson in Netflix’s Stranger Things, in which he debuted at the age of 13 in 2016. He played the most intellectual and vulnerable member of the “Core Four” until the show concluded after five seasons in 2025.

This September, Matarazzo travels to London to play aspiring filmmaker Mark in Luke Sheppard’s new production of Jonathan Larson’s Rent. His Stranger Things co-star Sadie Sink recently made a notable West End debut in Romeo & Juliet and Matarazzo’s turn is sure to be just as impressive! Matarazzo is still only 23, yet already has an impressive roll call of professional musical theatre credits!

Book Rent tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

In 2011, shortly after his ninth birthday, Matarazzo made his Broadway debut in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Matarazzo played Benji, the son of drag queen Tick, who is getting to know his father for the first time. They sing a medley of “Always on My Mind” and “Say a Little Prayer” as they come to an understanding.

Godspell

A year later, Matarazzo played the role of Jesus in a special performance of Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell at Circle in the Square Theatre, billed as “Godspell Class of 2032”. Joshua Colley, who recently played Orpheus in Hadestown on Broadway, was the young Judas – the casting directors clearly had a flair for spotting young talent!

Les Misérables

Bravo, little Gaten, you’re the top of the class! In 2013, Matarazzo played Gavroche, one of the most scene-stealing child roles in musical theatre, in the 25th anniversary North American tour of Les Misérables. He continued in the role when the show played a return engagement on Broadway in 2014-15. The company was led by West End favourites John Owen-Jones as Valjean and Hayden Tee as Javert.

Into the Woods

Matarazzo rose to TV prominence with Stranger Things in 2016, and at the age of 16 in 2019, he returned to the stage as Jack for a special performance of Sondheim’s Into the Woods at the Hollywood Bowl. The cast also included Patina Miller as the Witch, Sutton Foster as the Baker’s Wife, and Sierra Boggess as Cinderella, with Skylar Astin (who will soon be seen in Cabaret in the West End) as The Baker.

Dear Evan Hansen

In 2022, Matarazzo joined the Broadway cast of Dear Evan Hansen as Jared Kleinman. Jared is Evan’s sardonic friend (of sorts) who helps Evan and their classmate Alana to found The Connor Project in memory of their late peer.

Parade

Jason Robert Brown’s 1998 musical, based on the harrowing true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory owner in early 20th-century Atlanta, was revived as part of City Center Encores! season in 2022, led by Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond. Matarazzo took the role of Frankie Epps, the potential romantic interest of the young murder victim Mary Phagan.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Matarazzo didn't continue with the Broadway transfer of Parade as he was cast in Thomas Kail’s revival of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd as urchin Tobias Ragg. Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford took the lead roles of Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett. New York Theatre Guide’s reviewer commented that “Sondheim’s sublime score sounds deliciously lush as played by the 26-piece orchestra, the singing is uniformly excellent, and Hugh Wheeler’s morbidly gripping story unfolds in crisp fashion” and Matarazzo “makes the most of the famous song 'Not While I’m Around'". The production was nominated for eight Tonys and won two.

Rent

This autumn, Matarazzo makes his West End debut as aspiring filmmaker Mark in Jonathan Larson’s modern classic Rent at the Duke of York’s (now Stoppard) Theatre. This bold new production of the Greenwich Village-set ‘90s rock musical about love, creativity, and money (or the lack of it) is directed by Luke Sheppard (Paddington, Starlight Express) and celebrates friendship, community, and living each day as if it were your last.

Says Sheppard: “This is Rent in the hands of a new generation of performers who love and adore this piece, and with Gaten Matarazzo playing Mark, it promises to be a thrilling experience.”

Book Rent tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

*Photo credit: Gaten Matarazzo. (Victoria Stephens) *