Displaying items by tag: John Tiffany

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 1^st. For tickets and/or more show information, click HERE.

Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce that individual tickets for the world premiere of the first ever touring production of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD will go on sale Monday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. CT. Tickets will also be available online at BroadwayInChicago.com starting at 10:00 a.m. CT or stop by the box office at the James M. Nederlander Theatre and be sorted into your Hogwarts house, take a picture with your house banner, play HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD trivia, and more.

Previews begin for the six-time Tony® Award-winning production on September 10 at Broadway In Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre. The official opening will be Thursday, September 26. The final performance of the 21-week engagement will be Saturday, February 1, 2025. 

The touring production is based on the acclaimed Broadway production, currently playing at the Lyric Theatre, New York. It picks up right where the last Harry Potter film left off: Nineteen years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, 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. When Harry Potter's head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever.  

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage and the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, has sold over 10 million tickets worldwide since its world premiere in London in July 2016 and holds a record 60 major honors, with nine Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Play and six Tony Awards including Best Play. The international phenomenon has cast its spell worldwide with productions currently running in London, New York, Hamburg, and Tokyo, and has completed runs in Melbourne, Toronto, and San Francisco. The original two-part production in London's West End recently celebrated its 7th anniversary, while the reimagined Broadway production celebrated its 6th anniversary. 

The most successful non-musical play in Broadway history, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD has the unique distinction of being named by the Guinness World Records as the highest-grossing non-musical play in Broadway history with over $270 million total sales and over 2.5 million tickets sold.

To stay up to date with the latest information, go to tour.harrypottertheplay.com.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Preview performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with additional Monday performances at 7:30 p.m. on September 16 and 23 and matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21 and Wednesday, September 25.

Opening night is Thursday, September 26 at 6:00 p.m.

Regular performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Matinee performances are at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

 Additional performances are Sunday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m.; Friday, November 29 at 1:00 p.m.; Thursday, December 26 at 1:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 29 at 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, January 2 at 1:00 p.m., and Sunday, January 5 at 7:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 31, there will be 1:00 p.m. performances instead of a 7:00 p.m. performances.

There will be no performances on Sunday, September 29; Tuesday, November 5; Thursday, November 28; Wednesday, December 25; and Wednesday, January 1.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, May 13. When tickets go on sale, ticket prices will range from $49.00 - $193.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. There will be a limited number of lottery seats available for this engagement. Details will be provided closer to the engagement. Patrons can purchase HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD as part of the Broadway In Chicago Season, which is currently on sale through May 26 at BroadwayInChicago.com. Groups of 10 or more can book tickets now by calling (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is a play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany. 

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. 

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions. 

Instagram: @CursedChildUS ● Twitter: @CursedChildTour ● Facebook: @CursedChildUS ● TikTok: @CursedChildOfficial

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 24 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago's Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Auditorium Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway  Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

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