Theater Review: Harry Potter And The Cursed Child

1. That is my brother.

2. CURSED CHILD MAY HAVE BEEN THE BEST PLAY I'VE EVER SEEN.

Last night, after entering the TodayTix lottery for MONTHS trying to get tickets for this show that don't cost 400 dollars a pop, I won two tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, at the Lyric Theater. I obviously had to bring my brother, who loves Harry Potter (almost) equally. I knew the show would be excellent, but, it's very hard to put on any kind of "post Voldemort" show/story when it comes to HP because of the rabid fanbase. We treat this series like these are our personal friends, as if we've lived this life alongside them, so the bar was extremely high. It did not disappoint.

To start off, the Cursed Child is a book/play that was written in 2016. Its set right at the end of the series, 19 years in the future. The story follows Albus Potter, Harry's son, and his best friend Scorpius Malfoy, Draco's son. Let me tell you, these two get into some hijinks! Without spoiling the whole play, I'll just say it involves a Time Turner, almost accidentally ruining the future for the Wizarding World, and of course, the underlying message as always, is that LOVE is the most important magic of all. 

First off - the special effects? Unbelievable. I have no idea how these things work. There is a ton of light and movement, dance scenes with wands and cloaks, lots of rotating staircases, and something that will haunt my dreams forever, DEMENTORS. Now, I took a little edible before this show, and it kicked in right around the time that massive dementors were flying around the audience. No joke, I was speechless and...scared? HAHA. There was blacklight writing all over the theater, at one point Voldemort HIMSELF walks through the audience, and ultimately? Slytherin comes out ON TOP! Finally a play for the "bad guys" to redeem themselves!

Another note, the acting was incredible. The sweet friendship (maybe low key romance?) between Albus and Scorpius is so endearing, so true, and so moving. It sounds insane to say that, but I was truly touched by the sweetness of it all. All of our favorite characters are in it, although older, and embody the personas perfectly. Hermione is the Minister of Magic, Ron runs Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and Harry is the Head of the Department of Magical Law. Pretty much exactly where we all thought they'd end up. Nostalgia aside, the new interpretation of their stories is perfectly executed and exceedingly entertaining. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!