Photo by Alan Godwin

Having the pleasure of attending Mountain Ridge’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, High School Edition,” left a lasting impression on everyone. As the audience settled into their seats, the air buzzed with anticipation. The dimming lights and the hushed whispers slowly bloomed into an atmosphere that hinted at the magic about to unfold. 

A lot of things have changed since the Battle of Hogwarts, but one thing has remained the same – the themes of love, friendship, and courage. The play picks up years after the end of the book series, focusing on Harry’s second son, Albus, and his struggle to live up to society’s expectations.

The play was a mix of humor, drama, and moments of pure brilliance. The show was also surprisingly funny. There are tons of clever jokes and lines that will have one laughing out loud. Especially the scenes between Albus (Harry’s son) and Scorpius (Draco’s son) – their friendship was the real highlight of the show.

Watching the whole cast interact on stage was incredible. Each actor brought their unique flair to the characters, creating a chemistry that felt palpable. The director made bold choices with the staging and lighting, which enhances the storytelling. Subtle changes in lighting created a mood that effortlessly shifted the atmosphere, pulling the audience for a deeper ride. The set itself was simple yet effective, with a minimalistic approach that didn’t take the spotlight away from the actors, but rather, shaped their performance in a more beautiful way.

All the elements in the show were absolutely spectacular. Each and every one of them complemented each other perfectly adding to the mood of the scenes. Even the set was larger than life. Every time there was a shift in the time periods, the clock would start moving in a very abnormal and confused way, telling the audience that there was a change in time. This was very cleverly portrayed by the crew. Even the dancing in between, when the characters exited the stage, told a very unique story of the time. Especially the dance with the ensemble members, dancing in the dark, but their wands would light up at very specific beats. The experience was truly magical. It would also tell us to prepare ourselves for the next roller coaster of emotions we were about to experience. It was a very beautiful way to communicate with the audience. Every character’s costume added to the story significantly. They added more energy and brought the character to life. Each detail was extremely beautiful adding a delicate, yet perfectly balanced touch to the play.

Having the chance to speak with some of the magic makers of this play and got their insights on it was amazing. Lacey Kelly, a freshman from the running crew for costumes, says, “My favorite part was when you’re in the changing rooms, and people just say the out of pocket things sometimes and it’s so fun! Sometimes, it can be stressful but the stress creates fun moments where people say things, or do things that crack everyone up.” In addition to that, Abigail Walker, a sophomore and an ensemble member, says, “I was super excited to finally perform in front of a good, interactive audience. I did expect them to be a little bit confused, but they sort of went along with the flow and really felt the emotions along with the characters.”

As I walked out of the theater, the chorus of laughter and applause still echoing, I realized that the experience went beyond mere entertainment. It was a celebration of creativity and the sheer magic of storytelling. Overall, It was a really amazing, or as Scorpius would say,  SWEET!!!! experience.