Displaying items by tag: Ebony Blake
Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the James M. Nederlander Theatre
While I’ve read the books and seen the movies, I’ve always stood on the outside of the world of Harry Potter. And honestly, I’ve always been a little bit envious of that world—and those who have embraced it and understand it and love it. There were plenty of those folks in attendance at the James Nederlander Theatre on Thursday night for the opening of the Broadway in Chicago production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but there were also plenty of folks like me—outsiders to the world of wizarding and whatnot.
But this show was made to be enjoyed and appreciated by all—the hardcore fans and those of us who just enjoy a good story, good theater, and a really great production.
What began as two productions, in the days before the pandemic, was “shortened” into one play (yes, this is a play, not a musical) after live theater returned. It’s lengthy—three hours, with a twenty-minute intermission between its two acts—but it does what the books and movies did, immersing and losing its audience into its world so time seems to stand still.
The world we find ourselves in is 19 years past end of the final Harry Potter book. Written by Jack Thorne—based on a story by Thorne, director John Tiffany, and J.K. Rowling—this is an original story, featuring the books’ and films’ beloved characters—and new characters, too, as well as stage versions of the Hogwarts world.
John Tiffany, whose 2016 London production of the play began its run, directs this production, as well, and it is magic. Like, actual magic. There are sparks and flames and levitation and disappearances—all of the magic that your mind could conjure while reading a novel or your eyes could be tricked into believing by Hollywood’s CGI. But seeing these illusions happen in person, onstage, in real life is the true draw of this show. I’ve seen a lot of theater, but some of the stuff I saw from the James M. Nederlander’s dress circle seats blew my mind. Tiffany—along with Set Designer Christine Jones and Jamie Harrison, credited with “Illusion & Magic”—is a wizard who left us muggles in attendance asking “How’d they do that?”
The cast that Tiffany directs also helps build this magical world. Local talent Matt Mueller, last enjoyed by this reviewer when he starred as Gerry Goffin in the Marriott’s Beautiful, here co-stars as Ron Weasley. Chicago legend, Larry Yando plays multiple roles, all of them important, but his elderly Amos Diggory was a favorite of mine. Julia Nightingale delights as Delphi Diggory, and Mackenzie Lesser-Roy steals her scene as frolicking phantom Moaning Myrtle. Of course, John Skelley as Harry Potter and Ebony Blake as Hermione Granger also nicely bring the series’ big names into the action.
Again, it’s the sets and the action that really left me bewitched. I sit here writing this review still puzzling over how I saw some of the things I actually saw. And that is the draw of this show, which runs until February 1, 2025, at the James Nederlander Theatre downtown—you come for this world that’s been imagined into existence and into being beloved by millions, and not only do you get to meet these characters who populate and make this world so special, you get to be as amazed as they are by the magic and tragedy and human (or wizard) drama that makes it a world.
Brought to life on the big stage, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a triumphant return to Wizarding World!
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is being performed at the James M. Nederlander Theatre through February 1st. For tickets and/or more show information, click HERE.
Review: The Berlin Diaries by Andrea Stolowitz at Open Space Arts
24 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewMy companion was apprehensive about the press release’s statement that “… the two-person cast will play all characters and will…
Legally Blonde at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts: Blonde Ambition Takes Center Stage in Skokie!
24 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewUnlike many of the shows I review, which I’ve often seen in other productions elsewhere, I went into Music Theater…
Restaged OVO by Cirque du Soleil heads to Hoffman Estates for six performances only Feb. 13-16
19 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreBetween a triumphant European tour and a highly anticipated return to North America, OVO by Cirque du Soleil has undergone a full ‘metamorphosis’ under…
Beetlejuice on sale December 20th
19 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreBeetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Beetlejuice! You’ve summoned him once again, Chicago— BEETLEJUICE is back for another hauntingly hilarious run! Broadway In Chicago announced that tickets…
CLUE On Sale Now
18 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is delighted to announce that individual tickets for CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy inspired by the Hasbro board game…
Three-time Jeff Award winner Ron OJ Parson to direct Hymn
17 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces renowned Chicago director Ron OJ Parson will helm the North American premiere of Lolita Chakrabarti's Hymn, making his CST directorial debut.…
25 Years of Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer: A Warm and Sparkling Celebration of Individuality!
17 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI fondly recall watching the 1964 children’s television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer each year with great wonder! Its message…
Trap Door Theatre Presents: The Mannequins Ball, Opening January 23rd
16 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreTrap Door Theatre is thrilled to continue its 31st season with a production of the renowned play, The Mannequins' Ball. Written by Bruno…
Teatro ZinZanni's Love, Chaos, and Dinner: A Spectacular Romantic Journey of Joy and Laughter
13 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewUpon entering the beautifully decorated lobby of Teatro Zinzanni theater on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, you are…
This Charles Dickens Gets to the Heart of 'Christmas Carol' In Spectacular Performance
11 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewJust as there are many Santa’s around town, this time of year we have a wide selection of Christmas and…
HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO RETURNS TO THE HARRIS WITH A WORLD PREMIERE FOR SEASON 47 WINTER SERIES
10 December 2024 in Upcoming DanceToday, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) unveiled the full program for the second performance series of its 2024/2025 season, Season 47: Winter Series.…
An Evening with David Sedaris: The best-selling author and humorist to appear live at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre on April 12
10 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreDavid Sedaris, author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and regular…
Hell in a Handbag Productions Hosts Special Weekend of Benefit Performances During Holiday Run of Rudolph THE RED-HOSED REINDEER An Unauthorized Musical Parody
10 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreHell in Handbag is pleased to host a special weekend of benefit performances during its upcoming 25th anniversary edition of Rudolph the Red-Hosed…
The Hip Hop Nutcracker is Now Playing
10 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreThe Hip Hop Nutcracker has returned to Chicago by popular demand and is now playing at Broadway In Chicago’s CIBC Theatre…
Join Sweet DeLa and Spicy Jinkx in their irreverent shenanigans
10 December 2024 in Theatre in Review[Reviewer’s Note: I’ve been reading a book whose main character is inveigled by Word of the Day; hence, I’ve striven…
Finally, A Fresh and Fitting Take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
07 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewLike a lot of people, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been mostly a cultural curiosity for much of my…
An AfFAIR to Remember; Joffrey's The Nutcracker A Must See This Holiday Season
06 December 2024 in Theatre ReviewsThere is something magical about Chicago at Christmastime. Even if there is no snow on the ground, there is an…
Broadway in Chicago’s Production of & Juliet is a Jaw-Dropping Blast from Start to Finish
05 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewLights come down at the top of the show. We are clearly in a rehearsal hall as the ensemble lets…
A cop & a night watchman get tangled between right & wrong in Shattered Globe's revival of Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero, January 24 through March 1 at Theater Wit
04 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreCharm, romance and humor abound in the 2001 comedic masterpiece Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of…
Thornton Wilder’s The Long Christmas Dinner Radiant Throughout at Bramble Arts Loft
02 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewImmediately following the gastronomical excesses of Thanksgiving are the monetary investments and personal sacrifices we make for Christmas. At the…
Review: It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at American Blues Theater
02 December 2024 in Theatre in Review“No man is a failure who has friends,” is to film what “God bless us everyone” is to literature. Frank…
THE CONSPIRATORS ANNOUNCE THE WORLD PREMIERE-ISH OF: AYN RAND'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" AS PERFORMED BY THE CONSPIRATORS, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PRESIDENT BIDEN—NO WAIT, LIZ CHENEY, DECEMBER 20 - 22, AT OTHERWORLD THEATRE
28 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreThe Conspirators are proud to present the world premiere of Ayn Rand's "It's a Wonderful Life" as Performed by the Conspirators…
Porchlight Hosts FUN HOME: BEHIND THE SHOW BACKSTORY, Dec. 10 at Ruth Page Center
28 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatrePorchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce Fun Home: Behind the Show Backstory with Artistic Director Michael Weber, Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7…
MEAN GIRLS is Now Playing
26 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce MEAN GIRLS – the record-breaking new musical comedy adapted from the hit Paramount Pictures film…
Lookingglass Welcomes Founding Ensemble Member David Schwimmer and Chicago Attorney James (Jimmy) Oh to its Board of Directors
25 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreAfter pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company is proud…
Cast and production team announced for Chicago Premiere of Reina Hardy’s GLASSHEART, January 10 – February 23
25 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreCity Lit Theater has announced its cast and creative team for the Chicago Premiere of GLASSHEART, by Chicago-based playwright Reina…
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's 'Season 47 Fall Series' is Sexy Romantic and Powerful
25 November 2024 in Dance in ReviewSteppenwolf's cozy downstairs theater provided the ideal setting for an evening of outstanding and expressive dance by the highly acclaimed…
Goodman Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” Warms Hearts as It Rings in a Joyful Holiday Season
25 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI arrived at the Goodman Theatre for the opening of its 47th annual production of A Christmas Carol, directed by…
Don’t Miss this Rollicking Rendition of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”
25 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewIf you’re looking for a way to entertain the children (or grandchildren) this holiday season that doesn’t involve long lines,…
A Lovely Night; Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella revives magic at Marriott Theatre
24 November 2024 in Theatre ReviewsIn 1997, Disney came out with the most magnificent adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella that has ever been made.…
Latest Articles
-
Review: The Berlin Diaries by Andrea Stolowitz at Open Space Arts
Written by Sarz MaxwellMy companion was apprehensive about the press release’s statement that “… the two-person cast will play all characters and will even share certain characters.” “How can that work?” she wondered. “How will we know which character is speaking?” I told… -
Legally Blonde at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts: Blonde Ambition Takes Center Stage in Skokie!
Written by CJ BurroughsUnlike many of the shows I review, which I’ve often seen in other productions elsewhere, I went into Music Theater Works’ current production of Legally Blonde blind. Other than the couple-decades-old movie the musical is based on, along with a… -
Restaged OVO by Cirque du Soleil heads to Hoffman Estates for six performances only Feb. 13-16
Written by Buzz Center StageBetween a triumphant European tour and a highly anticipated return to North America, OVO by Cirque du Soleil has undergone a full ‘metamorphosis’ under the watchful eye of its original creators. The renewed show will be presented in Hoffman Estates at the NOW Arena in… -
Beetlejuice on sale December 20th
Written by Buzz Center StageBeetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Beetlejuice! You’ve summoned him once again, Chicago— BEETLEJUICE is back for another hauntingly hilarious run! Broadway In Chicago announced that tickets will go on sale Friday, December 20, for this ghoulishly fun musical comedy. Back by popular demand, the edgy and…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.