Magic, Illusions and Wizardry

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Audiences haven’t eagerly anticipated a production arriving in Chicago since HAMILTON. This spectacular theatrical production will be a real treat for both fans of J.K. Rowling’s incredibly well-written and enchanting seven-book series about the “The Boy Who Lived,” as well as lovers of the series of wonderfully captivating film versions of the books. In this play with music, Harry Potter enthusiasts will find many of their favorite, familiar characters superbly brought to life, as well as a few new personalities created just for this story. The almost three hour production is fast-paced and whisks onward to its heartwarming conclusion. The show’s filled with great acting, creative choreography, unbelievable magic, illusions and wizardry.

The story, which won the 2018 Tony Award for Best Play, begins nineteen years after the end of Rowling’s novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. Harry and Ginny Weasley are married and have three children, the youngest of whom is named after their late Hogwarts Headmaster, and Harry’s beloved mentor, Albus Dumbledore. We learn that Harry and Hermione now work at the Ministry of Magic, while Ron Weasley manages a magic joke shop. Ron and Hermione’s daughter Rose is about to join Albus in boarding the Hogwarts Express, which will convey them both to the famed School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There they will follow in their parents’ footsteps, although rebellious Albus is tired of living in his the shadow of his father’s fame.

Aboard the train, Albus meets Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius. The two loners become fast friends, especially since both boys share a resentfulness of their fathers and a desire to escape their respective parents’ fame and/or notoriety. At Hogwarts, both boys are bullied. Albus is constantly being compared to Harry Potter while Scorpius continually fights off rumors that he’s the son of the evil Lord Voldemort. In an effort to improve their status, the boys decide to help the elderly and mourning Amos Diggory. His son Cedric, Hogwart’s handsome, star athlete during Harry Potter’s time, died during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. So Albus secretly steals a magical device from his father called a Time-Turner. Accompanied by Amos’ niece Delphi, the young people go back in time in an attempt to save Cedric’s life. But, as with any time travel, there are serious repercussions caused by changing the course of history.

English theatre artist John Tiffany (the Director of BLACK WATCH, ONCE and the prototype two-part version of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD) has done a brilliant job of guiding and restructuring this production for the first National Tour of the play. He’s assisted by the most incredible choreography employed for changing scenes by Movement Director, Steven Hoggett. 

I’ve always loved the novel by J.K. Rowling, and I enjoyed Jack Thorne’s original Broadway production when it was presented as a matinee, with a dinner break and a conclusion later that evening. Following the pandemic, when Broadway turned off its lights for months, the play was condensed to a single three-and-a-half hour production. Now, for the National Tour, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD comes in at just under three hours, with one intermission. And, guess what? I enjoyed this shortened version just as much as the original production that was twice as long.

Why? Well, there are so many reasons, beginning with Jack Thorne’s compelling and thoroughly entertaining story and script that brings to life the magical and sometimes dark world of fantasy. Then there’s the triumvirate of gifted theatre artists who’ve combined their considerable talents to make the world of Harry Potter live. Scenic Designer Christine Jones (THE OUTSIDERS, SPRING AWAKENING) has created an awesome stage setting that moves and changes with each new scene. Lighting Designer Neil Austin (the new musical, TAMMY FAYE, AND LEOPOLDSTADT) has surpassed his previous work with this incredibly brilliant and electrifying production.

The talent provided by Tony, Olivier and Drama Desk Award-winner Gareth Fry for his magical Sound Design completes the auditory and visual splendor. 

But add to all these creatives the artistry of several other talented theatre artists. Katrina Lindsay’s (MEAN GIRLS, THE LEHMAN TRILOGY) beautiful, colorful and swirling Costumes, Caroline Hancock’s stylish Hair, Wig & Makeup Design, Imogene Heap’s dramatic Musical Compositions, Supervised by Martin Lowe, and all the eye-popping Illusions and Magic created by Jamie Harrison (CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY), as well as Ash J. Woodward’s special effect Video Designs (THE WITCHES, FANGIRLS) all make this production a dream come true.

The large, 35-member ensemble cast is magnificent. Despite the play entitled with the name, Harry Potter, the story actually focuses as much or more on two younger characters. Young Northwestern graduate, Emmet Smith, so delightful as Rolf in the Marriott Theatre’s recent production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, is absolutely wonderful as Albus Potter. His portrayal in“The Cursed Child” is enhanced by the brilliant performance of Aidan Close, as the most likable nerd, Scorpius Malfoy. Together these two actors carry the story. They provide the beating heart and tortured soul of this play and the audience cheers for their ultimate union.

John Skelley is very good in the role of Harry Potter, a man who lacks faith in his parenting skills because he lost his own father as a baby and never had a model for being a good dad. Trish Lindstrom is excellent and outspoken as his wife and the mother of Albus, Ginny Potter. Other excellent performances come from Chicago’s own Matt Mueller as a dorky, very funny and fast-paced as Ron Weasley; while Ron’s wife, Hermione Granger, is feisty and filled with Girl Power, as portrayed by Ebony Blake. The brooding outcast adult Draco Malfoy is played nicely by Benjamin Thys. Creating the roles of both Professor McGonagall and Professor Umbridge is talented Katherine Leask; a most delightful Mackenzie Lesser-Roy plays Moaning Myrle; Julia Nightingale channels both her girlish charm and witchy nastiness to portray Delphi Diggory; and Nathan Hosner, most often seen in the every-moving ensemble, is frightening and blood-chilling as Lord Voldemort. 

Special mention must be made of another Chicago favorite actor. Larry Yando, whose deep, resonant voice is unmistakable if theatergoers have ever seen the Goodman’s holiday classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Here he’s wonderful as both Amos Diggory and Albus Dumbledore; but he’s absolutely perfection as Severus Snape, a role, like Scar in THE LION KING, that this actor was born to play. Bravo to Mr. Yando. After the play leaves Chicago in February to play Los Angeles and Washington D.C., we unfortunately won’t see him for a while. However we’ll be comforted to know that he’s delighting audiences across America.

Just like with HAMILTON, after a long, worthwhile wait HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD has finally arrived in Chicago. It’s a glorious production, although a bit shorter than the original, but just as thrilling. The cast is impeccable, the special effects are exciting, the sound and movement are fast and furious. This is one of those theatrical experiences families will enjoy together and always remember. To see Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Snape, Dumbledore and Voldemort live on stage is such a thrill for fans of the books and movies. When the spells start flying, and you can feel the heat of the fire; and when those giant, ghostly flying Dementors start wailing and wafting above the stage, suddenly all the magic, illusions and wizardry come together in a spellbinding production that should not be missed!              

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 10-February 1 by Broadway in Chicago at the Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, the BIC Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.