Fortunately for Chicago area theatregoers, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is settling in for a four-month residency at the Broadway in Chicago Nederlander Theatre, playing now through February 1, 2025.
The most successful non-musical play in Broadway history, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD focuses on the next generation of the Harry Potter family and his dedicated ragtag group of friends.
Almost 20 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermoine saved the wizarding world, their offspring take on an extraordinary new adventure at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Now the world belongs to Albus Potter, Scorpius Malfoy, and Rose Weasley. Can they go back in time to change the past as well as the future?
When Albus befriends the son of his father’s fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for all of them.
At its core, HARRY POTTER is about family, the legacy we leave and how challenging it is to be the child of famous parents, something Albus must cope with throughout his young life.
Are we destined to live a life under their shadow? Or, can we forge a new path?
Special Effects Are Mind Blowing
It’s one thing to see special effects in a movie and another to see them live on stage. Floating characters, talking books, and human bodies in surrealistic positions are all part of the “Victorian theater tricks.”
Whether you don’t know the difference between Dumbledore and Voldemort, the special effects will mesmerize you throughout the show, wondering “how’d they do that?”
Movement also takes center stage as a part of the story and where much of the magic takes place. Costume designer Katrina Lindsay has done a masterful job with the wizard’s capes, incorporating them into the flowing movements with magic right before your very eyes.
While not considered a musical, thrilling music is used effectively to create ambiance and build intense drama.
A Superb Cast
Starting with John Skelley as Harry Potter and Trish Lindstrom as his wife, Ginny, they convey a wealth of emotions as they try to understand their son and help him navigate his world.
The friendship between Aldus (Emmet Smith) and Scorpius (Aidan Close) is authentic in credit to the two fine actors who carry the show.
Many of the actors take on multiple roles and with the costume changes are hardly discernible.
I knew I was in the presence of someone majestic in the role of Albus Dumbledore. Then I checked the program to find that it was Chicagoan Larry Yando who has played “Ebeneezer Scrooge” in “A Christmas Carol” for 16 years. Yando also takes on the roles of Amos Diggory and Severus Snape. His powerful performance will make you sit up and take notice. He is a joy to behold.
The play is based on the 8th story in the Harry Potter series, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD. Originally performed in London in 2016 over two days, the show has now been condensed into one seating.
This six-time Tony® Award-winning production is based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany. Jack Thorne wrote the play and this production is helmed by the original director, Brit John Tiffany.
Readers may wonder if this play is suitable for children. The recommendation is eight years and up. Spoiler alert: There are a few scenes that are frightening, especially for those younger than eight. Note that the performance is two hours and 50 minutes with one intermission.
If you want to make one outing to downtown Chicago soon, this should be your go-to show. For tickets go to Broadway in Chicago.com. There are a limited number of $40 lottery seats available for each performance. The Nederlander Theatre is located at 24 W. Randolph in Chicago.
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