|
Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child The touring production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has come to Washington's National Theatre for a run through September 7, and the magic remains as dazzling as ever. A cast of close to 30 people seems constantly in motion under John Tiffany's direction and Steven Hoggett's movement direction, with "how did they do that?" special effects spread liberally throughout. The still-running Broadway production opened in two parts in 2018 and received six Tony Awards including Best Play. Following the COVID-19 shutdown, it reopened in a revamped one-part version, which is also the touring script. Playwright Jack Thorne worked with original author J.K. Rowling and Tiffany to create what could be called "Harry Potter: The Next Generation." The main characters of the original seven-novel series have settled into careers and marriages, and their children are now navigating their way through student life at Hogwarts. Albus Potter (Emmett Smith), son of Harry (John Skelley) and Ginny (Trish Lindstrom), has grown up with his cousin Rose Granger-Weasley (Naiya Vanessa McCalla), daughter of Ginny's brother Ron (Matt Harrington) and Hermione Granger (Alexis Gordon, in for Ebony Blake). He isn't happy about attending Hogwarts in the long shadow of his father until he finds common ground with the whining Scorpius Malfoy (Aidan Close), whose father Draco (Benjamin Thys) used to bully Harry in their student days. Even aside from the gasp-inducing moments of spectacle created by Jamie Harrison, the physical production is both eye-filling and surprisingly inventive. Christine Jones' set design has an overall structure of clock faces and scaffolding, but much of the individual settings grow out of everyday items such as suitcases and bookshelves. Neil Austin's lighting design and Gareth Fry's sound design don't just set the scene, they draw the viewer into each location. Katrina Lindsay's character-defining costumes make an instant impression, especially when Katherine Leask appears in turn as both no-nonsense Professor McGonagall and supercilious Professor Umbridge. While Albus and Scorpius are at the heart of the drama, the performances in smaller roles also shine, from Moaning Myrtle the resident ghost (Mackenzie Lesser-Roy) to Larry Yando as three elder statesmen of Hogwarts. Imogen Heap, composer and arranger, has created almost continuous underscoring. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child runs through September 7, 2025, at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC. For tickets and information, please call 1-800-447-7400 or visit www.telecharge.com. For information on the tour, visit tour.harrypottertheplay.com. A new play by Jack Thorne Cast in alphabetical order: |
