Harry Potter and the Cursed Child can now be seen in one sitting. When the play first came out, JK Rowling broke it up into two separate plays. If you wanted to see the whole thing, theatergoers had to buy tickets to one show and then come back in the evening or the following day to see the next half. Some acts were sped up, a few characters left out, and some scenes changed or cut. Seven hours of being in the Potter world is now 3 ½ hours of Wizarding World Theatre.
I did not see the show when it was in two parts, but I read the play when it first came out. So I only have to go on what I experienced on the page. It isn’t that different for me than when watching a Harry Potter movie. There are minor differences between all the books and the Harry Potter films, but the essence of the story is the same. The same goes for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
You can tell they are hurrying things along at the beginning of the show. The actors speak so quickly that it’s hard to understand what they are saying. The actors slow down as the show moves along and are easier to understand. I appreciate, though, that I could see the combined version of the plays even with the abbreviation. I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything.
My family are huge Potterheads and eat up all things Harry Potter. The play was everything we hoped it would be. The effects are unlike any Broadway show that I’ve ever seen, and the acting is fantastic. Even the way they change sets is entertaining. Any Potter fan will love attending the stage production. If you are not familiar with Harry Potter lore, I’m not sure you’re going to understand the show. But who isn’t familiar with Harry Potter? I mean, really?
I don’t want to give too much away, but the story of the Cursed Child revolves around Harry’s son Albus Severus. As anyone can imagine, being the son of a legend can be difficult. And when Albus makes friends with the son of Draco Malfoy, another boy who has trouble with his parenting lineage, the dynamic between Harry and Albus intensifies. As they attempt to change the past, all hell breaks loose. The play is much more than a magical theatrical experience. It’s a tale of the fragile bond between a father and son that can break as easily as it can strengthen. Harry Potter and fatherhood, two of my favorite things together on stage.
If you are going to the show, get there early. The lobby is full of photo opportunities. Theatre-goers can snap photos with an app that will show candles floating in the air and a Patronus dancing about. The theatre’s decorations need to be appreciated before the start of the show because there’s so much detail everywhere you look.
Start planning now and enjoy the show. To buy tickets to the Broadway show, click here.
“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”
Albus Dumbledore – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Here are other shows that I’ve reviewed:
The Notebook Musical
Moulin Rouge
Kinky Boots
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark
Big Fish
Grug at the New Victory Theater
This story is about being a former actor and watching Hamilton on Broadway: Throwing Away My Shot and Hitting a More Fulfilled Life
Things to do in New York City:
Museum of Ice Cream is Fun and Delicious
Wonderland Dream: Where Visitors Become Art
Spyscape: Spying and solving in NYC
Visiting Madame Tussauds
Batman X at Spycape
Rise NY
History of the Liberty Pole in City Hall Park
History of Bowling Green’s Fence
Visiting St. Paul’s Chapel
Gaming at the Paley Center
Harry Potter NY
Great Jones Distilling
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Moulin Rouge on Broadway
Unmarked Slave Burial Ground
Hamilton Dueling Grounds
List of Museums in NYC that are free or have suggested prices
Visiting the Guggenheim with my Toddler
Visiting the MoMA with Kids
Visiting Hamilton Grange
Visiting Grant’s Tomb
Visiting the American Girl Store
Arlene’s Grocery is a great place to catch up and coming stars
Visiting Mercer Labs is Like Walking Through a Dream
Making Memories with the Harlem Globetrotters
Cultural Diversity is on Display at RiseNY