I have to admit before you continue to read this, I’m a BIG fan of Harry Potter and all of JK Rowling’s work.  The style of her writing has a beautiful flow and even though it can be interpreted in different ways as you read along in your head, once she reveals her interpretation, it is stunning.

During February break, I saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway.  My friend and I were lucky enough to get tickets to the previews.  The show officially opened on April 22nd, but previews had been going on since March 16th.  The previews are not like a rehearsal where the show is stopped and fixed as it goes; it is a full run through of the show and an opportunity for the director and crew to fix the performance before being viewed by critics.  It is also extra practice for the actors to see how they should be saying their lines and what goes over well with the audience. Even if there were problems with the show when I saw it, I think it was overall AMAZING.

The cast that is currently on Broadway is the original cast that performed at the Palace Theatre in London.  They have been performing this play since June of 2016 and are very proud to be on Broadway. I must admit, my main concern of the play was that the casting would be off for some of the main characters that Harry Potter’s audience have grown to love on the big screen.  How could anyone picture Harry, Ron, and Hermione without thinking of the stars that have played them a majority of their lives? Well, JK Rowling put my fears to rest because even though you’re expecting Daniel Radcliffe to walk out, when Jamie Parker comes on stage, his mannerisms and speech pattern are the things that make you say, “THAT’S Harry Potter.”  Rowling was extremely involved with creating this production and knew that it didn’t have to be the original cast for it to still be Harry Potter, it just had to represent the same people. One of the most controversial things that she did with casting was making Hermione a person of color. Many people were confused by this decision and it received a large response on social media, but in the end it doesn’t make a difference in any way, shape, or form.

I would talk about the actual plot of the play, but I cannot do that because revealing any little thing might spoil the play for my readers (besides the given context that it takes place where The Deathly Hallows left off, nineteen years later).  All you need to know is that the play overall was wonderful. Not just because it was Harry Potter, but the movement across the stage and bond between the actors is seen throughout the show. I highly recommend seeing the show, not because you’re a Harry Potter fan, but because the set and props are well-made and the story is well-executed.  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child deserves praise, and I can’t wait to follow along on their journey in New York.