Traveling across the country to see a Broadway show was an experience I never thought I would be doing, but sitting through the auditorium watching the famous “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” play at the Lyric Theatre in New York made every second worthwhile.
Stepping foot into the New York Lyric Theatre was like transporting to a world that I never believed existed. The walls were covered with patronuses and a golden rotunda hovered over the lobby with floating candles allowing guests to interact with them. Every corner of the theatre was filled with magic, including the sets and special effects which added extra magic to the performance.
As the lights dimmed and the music crescendoed, shivers went down my spine and my eyes became glued to the stage as I watched the cast create an atmospheric setting where I truly felt as if I was immersed into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The astonishing tricks, songs, and sets were playing with my mind as I often found myself asking the question, “How on earth did they do that?”
As the dancers moved gracefully in their billowing and enchanted robes, their choreography left me speechless. The syncopated rhythms and flowing choreography alongside the music captured the magic of the scene, especially during the famous “wand dance.” After constantly rewatching the dance and trying to attempt the choreography, I can definitely say I would die for one of those robes.
One of the misconceptions that most people assume is that “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is a musical, when it is actually a play. Although the show contains music and choreography, it does not contain any showtunes.
Before it reached the stage, the script book was first released on July 31, 2016 and was later adapted into a Broadway play where it debuted on April 22, 2018 in New York City. Originally, the play consisted of two parts, with the first part shown in the morning and the second part shown in the evening or the following day. However, as of Nov. 12, 2024 the show was cut down from 6 hours and condensed into 2 hours and 50 minutes.
The storyline now takes place 19 years later after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and the storyline consists of two boys, Scorpius Malfoy, and Albus Severus Potter, who become close friends and embark on a hazardous journey together. The main cast for the June 20 evening show featured James Cribbins, who played Scorpius Malfoy, as well as Alex Serino and Riley Thad Young who both played Albus Potter.
The rest of the main cast consisted of Kristen Martin (Delphi Diggory), Ayanna Nicole Thomas (Rose Granger Weasley), Tom Stephens (Draco Malfoy), Matthew James Thomas (Harry Potter), Rachel Christopher (Hermione Granger), Daniel Fredrick (Ron Weasley), and Sarah Killough (Ginny Potter).
The bond between the cast and the characters they play is truly heartwarming. Watching their stage presence throughout the entire show was very impressive as I could tell the cast really immersed themselves into their characters’ lives while performing. Despite having an unexpected setback, the entire cast remained professional and in character.
Of course, let’s not forget that the production and creative team played a crucial role behind the scenes. Although we can’t see them, their hard work off stage contributed to the entire play, and without them, the show would not have been possible.
On another note, it was announced June 5 that Tom Felton, Draco Malfoy from the movies, will be stepping back into his role on Nov. 11 through May 10, 2026. Harry Potter fans are fanatic over this announcement as his debut date has already been sold out.
After witnessing an incredible performance, I had the opportunity to meet with part of the cast and obtained autographs which was a memorable experience for me. Everyone was extremely nice and took the effort to talk and engage with their fans. Although I did not get the chance to meet the entire cast or conduct interviews, I was grateful to be able to have this interactive encounter.
My experience watching this broadway show was honestly unforgettable, as I felt myself living out my childhood dreams at Hogwarts. The story was true to the book, and although it was slightly shortened, it never failed to impress me. As a devoted Harry Potter fan, I can proudly say that this play was one of the most extraordinary productions I have ever seen. Broadway never fails to produce an engaging show for their audiences, and this production is a perfect example.
Although my time in New York has come to an end, having the opportunity to watch Broadway shows is a life changing experience. The effort given by both the cast and crew have been absolutely remarkable and the precision that these talented actors put into their work is truly inspiring for the next generation to come.
