Broadway in Chicago presents the National Tour of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD.
Harry Potter is back! He’s all grown-up and again facing a soul-sucking life force. No, it’s not the dementors. It’s his sullen teenage son Albus.
J.K. Rowling’s beloved characters return for another chapter in the life of The Chosen One. Rowlings, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany collaborated to devise this original sequel to the incredibly popular series of Harry Potter books and movies. Thorne wrote the play and Tiffany directed it. The 2-part theatrical adventure debuted in London in 2016 and Broadway in 2018 garnering multiple awards including six Tony Awards. In 2021, it was re-staged as a single show.
The premise is super clever! The storytelling has Rowling’s signature blend of fantasy and reality. At Hogwarts, the new generation of wizards are learning spells, navigating relationships and dealing with prophecies of the past. And much like their fathers and mothers before them, their impulsive adventures are steered with humor, angst and ‘sheer dumb luck.’ (RIP Dame Maggie Smith)
At the crux of the tale is Albus (played by Emmet Smith) trying to get out from under his famous father’s invisibility cloak. Much to Harry’s (played by John Skelley) chagrin, Albus befriends Scorpius Malfoy (played by Aidan Close), the son of his childhood enemy Draco (played by Benjamin Thys). The gloomy Smith and jocular Close develop an unexpectedly sweet friendship. Their bond is rooted in a shared sense of constantly disappointing their dads. Unbeknownst to the sons, the dads are also struggling… with feelings of inadequacy fueling an ongoing feud. Their decades of disdain climax in a spectacular battle of the wands. The stage wizardry is astonishing and puzzling! ‘How did they do that?’ is a collective mantra with the audience.
Other familiar favorites return for the story too! A commanding Hermoine (played by Ebony Blake), quietly fierce Ginny (Trish Lindstorm) and good-natured Ron (played Matt Mueller) join Harry in this newest adventure. And Chicago’s own Larry Yando playing multiple parts blends his own unique delivery with spot-on impressions. And nod out to Mackenzie Lesser-Roy for her naughty and hilarious portrayal of Moaning Myrtle.
Under Tiffany’s masterful direction, the entire ensemble amazes! Tiffany paces this at an accelerated rate. He seems to have condensed the original two-parter into one play using the same undetectable extension charm that Hermoine’s handbag had. The story spills out across years, generations and relationships. Scene transitions overlap with impressive and seemingly effortless elegance. The ensemble moves rapidly, in sync with cloak twirling and stair dancing. The dynamic movement directed by Steven Hoggett is transfixing! Cloaks are put on with a beautiful swish and flourish that hopefully will become a fashion trend.
Illusions and magic by Jamie Harrison also elevate THE CURSED CHILD into first rate performance art. Polygon potions transform people. Time turner spells create visual sonic booms. And flying, swimming, floo arrivals and bookshelf departures continually mystify and delight. And unlike the movie, this witchcraft and stagecraft happen in person and in real time… bewitching!
I thank Dumbledore for another chance to leave this muggle world to hobnob with magical folk. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is the perfect transfiguring incantation. Fans, run towards Platform 9 3/4 to board this thriller express!
Running Time: Three hours includes an intermission
At Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph
Based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany
Written by Jack Thorne
Directed by John Tiffany
Performances are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays,Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7pm
Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 1pm
Thru February 21
For more information or tickets
Photography by Matthew Murphy
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