Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

I vividly remember the first time my son eagerly asked for a book, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Little did I know that this simple request would lead us on an enchanting journey into the captivating world created by J.K. Rowling. As I purchased the 320-page book, I had no clue that it would begin a seven-book series that fueled his passion for reading and rekindled the sense of childhood wonder within me. While I never found the time to read the books, I eagerly anticipated each new installment and the movies, relishing the joy of sharing this experience with my son and witnessing his excitement. Broadway's tour, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, has mesmerized audiences with its enchanting magic and stunning special effects. The North American Tour debuted in Chicago and spared no expense in delivering a spellbinding experience; spectacular special effects and ghoulish creatures transported the audience to the magical world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, creating an immersive and unforgettable theatrical adventure. When Harry's son, Albus Potter, arrives at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Sorting Hat surprises everyone by placing him in the house of Slytherin instead of Gryffindor, like his father. This unexpected sorting leaves Albus deeply disappointed and pressured to live up to his father's esteemed reputation. As a result, Albus grapples with his own identity, leading to struggles in mastering magic. Overwhelmed by the constant pressure of being measured against his illustrious father, who is now the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, Albus finds himself increasingly distressed. With a heart full of compassion, Harry attempts to comfort his son and foster a deeper connection with him. However, when Albus, still obstinate towards his father, forms a close bond with Scorpius, Draco Malfoy's son, and Harry's arch-enemy, Harry fears that his son's friendship with Scorpius, being rumored to be the son of Lord Voldemort, is a Slytherin trick conceived by Draco that could reemergence of the age-old struggle between good and evil. Harry Potter prohibits his son Albus from befriending Scorpius Malfoy. In a turn of events, Albus overhears a conversation in which Amos Diggory asks Harry to use a Time-Turner to prevent the death of his son, Cedric. Despite Harry denying the existence of such a Time-Turner, Albus discovers that his father has lied about it and that there is a prototype machine in the form of a clock that can change history. Intrigued by the opportunity to correct a mistake made by his father, Albus enlists Scorpius to travel back in time and break free from his father's shadow once and for all. They skip their classes and hop on top of the Hogwarts Express Train to seek out Amos and share their plans with him. Amos initially dismissed them as mere abstinent juveniles. Still, his niece Delphi persuades him to listen, recounting his words of needing someone on the inside to aid him.

They form an alliance with Delphi and plan to steal the Time-Turner, which they discover is hidden in Hermione's office. They conceal their identities using Polyjuice Potion, only to discover that Hermione has placed a hex on the books that could reveal where to find the Time-Turner. Through a fascinating array of visual effects— where the books speak, they unravel the riddles spoken by the books, unfolding the hidden location of the machine, and go back in time to save Cedric. They learn that Cedric's death resulted from him winning the Triwizard Tournament, so they use the Time-Turner to prevent his victory. The characters believed they had successfully altered the past, only to realize that their actions had unintended consequences on the relationship between Ron and Hermione. In a desperate attempt to save Cedric, they used the Time-Turner once again. However, when Scorpius returned to the present, Albus was nowhere to be found. The shocking revelation by Dolores Umbridge that Harry was dead and Voldemort now dominated the wizarding world. When they find out about Delphi is Augurey and realize she was in charge of the Ministry of Magic in the alternate timeline, the daughter of Voldemort, and that she is using the Time-Turner to save Voldemort from dying during the Battle of Hogwarts, allowing him to win the battle, killed Harry and Albus would never exist, they forge an allegiance together to defeat her. Prepare for an exhilarating journey where wizards are transported through time, wickedly good displays of magic, and heroic battles, all brought to life with the most mesmerizing theatrical enchantment ever to grace the stage — it's an experience you won't want to miss! After 17 years since the Deathly Hallows book and nine years since the last movie, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a creative masterpiece and will surely rekindle your love of Harry Potter—lasting 2 hours and 50 minutes, including an intermission, it's the best show in town. The actors, including the talented new generation, deliver outstanding performances in this exceptionally well-written narrative by J.K. Rowling and Jack Thorne and directed play by John Tiffany. Every aspect of the production, from the costume design to the lighting and sound, illusions and magic, video effects, and hair, wig, and makeup, is executed to perfection, contributing to the overall magnificence of the show. However, the special effects elevate this play to a "Must-See" status. On a side note, word of the theater streets is that Larry Yando, who plays Albus Dumbledore, Amos Diggory, and Severus Snape, will be leaving his Goodman Theatre role as Ebenezer Scrooge in the production "A Christmas Carol." This new adventure will be a delightful journey into the Hogwarts world, but fans of Yando, in his famous Scrooge role, will surely miss his masterful performance. Goodman Theatre has not provided information on who will replace Yando but has a picture of Christopher Donahue as Scrooge on its website.  

As I reflect on the joys of being with my son, following the release of "Order of the Phoenix," my son lost interest in the Harry Potter series, and I was heartbroken. I longed to maintain our special bond while we continued into the magical world of Harry, Hermione, and Ron together — but he became a teenager now, forging his own path in life. I hesitated to go to the movies alone, concerned about how others might perceive an aging Dumbledore, alone, watching a fantasy film in the darkness. However, the real reason was familiar to Harry Potter. I missed being with my son. But with this production, maybe we can relive the Potter dream again! On a sad note, while I was finishing my review, we learned of the passing of Dame Maggie Smith of Harry Potter, who died at 89. Smith made her first film debut in the 1950s and spanned several decades of excellence as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.

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The James M. Nederlander Theatre

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling & John Tiffany

A new play by Jack Thorne

Directed by John Tiffany

Sep 10, 2024 - Feb 1, 2025