IT’S SAFE TO SAY THERE’S MAGIC IN STORE
You know, I was never bored watching the epic two-part Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; it truly was a magical experience, and the production team deserved congratulations. But Jack Thorne’s script, I thought, could use some judicious trimming. And now that’s happened, due in large part (according to the press) to the challenges of remounting and running a two-part show in the post-COVID era.
All of the theaters remain entirely transformed, but the play has been restaged as one singular performance by the same creative team for its return to North America. Now, with just one ticket in hand, audiences will enjoy all the adventure the continuation of Harry’s story entails in one magical afternoon or evening. Aside from making the show tighter, I also think it’s fair to those who couldn’t afford two parts before. (Productions in Melbourne, Australia [now playing], London’s West End [currently scheduled for October 14, 2021] and Hamburg, Germany [returning for previews on December 1, 2021] will continue in the original two-part format.)
James Snyder as Harry Potter in the Year Two company of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Performances of this new event (and it WILL be an event) begins at Broadway’s Lyric Theatre in New York on November 16, 2021, and at the Curran in San Francisco on January 11, 2022. Broadway and San Francisco tickets now on sale via the official website HarryPotterPlay. The Canadian premiere in Toronto will begin performances in May 2022 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre.
The Year Two company of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
It’s 19 years after Harry, Ron and Hermione saved the wizarding world. Now they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The original story by Thorne, J.K. Rowling, and John Tiffany remains with Tiffany staying on as director. “We’ve been working hard on this new version throughout lockdown and it’s been a joyous process of rediscovery,” wrote the playwright and director. “It has given us a unique opportunity to look at the play with fresh eyes and we have been inspired by the entire creative team every step of the way.”
The Year Two company of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Jenny Jules, Matt Mueller, Diane Davis, James Snyder and Jonno Roberts
in the Year Two company of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child features movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe. US Casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA.
photos by Matthew Murphy
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I beg to differ. The two part Broadway production had me spellbound and I wasn’t bored for a second. I worry about the butchering/shortening of the amazing script.
Hey Whizzer ~
I, too, was never bored, as I stated. But the relationship issues with Harry and family felt like filler that could have been covered much faster. But we’ll have to see. I hope that both of us are pleasantly surprised.