Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (NYC) NYC Reviews and Tickets

" A funny and affectionate homage to J.K. Rowling’s world of wiz kids...Some of the jokes will be lost on those with no knowledge of the films or books. But even 'Potter' virgins will enjoy the show’s witty wordplay and well-executed physical comedy. At times, the pacing is so frenetic that jokes can’t find a place to land, but there’s heart as well as humor here...Like its main characters, 'Puffs' illustrates the heights to which underdogs can soar."
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"'Puffs' zips through the highlights of all seven books...'Puffs' feels engineered specifically to delight 'Harry Potter' diehards, and for the most part it succeeds—not every joke lands, but it makes up for it any misses with its high level of reverence for the Potter-verse...Even if this venture is not the bravest or the smartest, it’s got its heart is firmly in the right place, and audiences will likely leave charmed."
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"Most of the time, it's a pure, and purely enjoyable, lark...Cox's treatment is dispensed with respect, admiration, and even love for the originals, which makes the jokes funnier and the production even more endearing...The cast is all pitched at just the right level of confused caffeination, and give in to neither pure mimicry nor the inclination to blaze their own original trails. Moon and Belton are dynamic comic leads that wring every laugh from their fish-out-of-water characters."
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“How much you enjoy Matt Cox's ‘Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic’ may depend on how well you know the Harry Potter books and the movies that followed. This mild satire tells an alternate but parallel story of the famous wizarding school for the members of the fourth house called The Puffs. The show attempts to cover many of the same events of all seven years in the 1990's when Harry, Hermione and Ron attended the school.”
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"In order to get through seven years in '90-ish' minutes, the action must move quickly, and thanks to Kristin McCarthy Parker’s seamless direction, it does. But 'Puffs' is more than just non-stop crazy action with a bunch of jokes for 'Potter' fans. Cox and Parker understand that sometimes comedy takes time, and they make smart choices about when to speed through the story, and when to slow down and build a joke for a better payoff. The action is never muddy or confusing."
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"Cox’s script pummels with multiple gags a minute, which can be exhausting in a show that runs just over ninety minutes...The story barely has room to breathe as jokes and physical comedy bits are thrown to the back of the house with abandon...Shaky moments and some jokes that don’t land aside, it concludes with a mixture and cynicism and warmth that sells the concept. Here is a work of underground theater that often beautifully complements its mainstream counterpart."
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"Bigger sets and impressive puppets add some flair but the joy of revisiting the well-loved 'Puffs' is what is sure to keep the show going for some time...Cox’s script is mostly the same from the previous production and sports the same weaknesses and strengths...Parker continues to run a tight ship with a production that mostly moves rapidly but also takes time to breathe...It is worth noting that the cast’s increased familiarity with their roles has made them even more memorable."
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"A way for fans of the books and movies to revisit their favorite place from a new perspective. And it can be appreciated on both a macro and a micro level...The writing by Matt Cox is crisp, funny and on point, director Kristin McCarthy Parker keeps the pace rolling along at a good clip, and the cast is uniformly excellent. If you’re a fan on any level, go and enjoy...If you don’t know from the magical world of 'Harry Potter,' you’re probably going to want to skip it."
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"The play squeezes all seven years/books/movies into an uproarious parody that largely makes fun of Harry Potter and his friends...'Puffs,' so densely packed with 'Potter' references, is a must-see for any fan of the popular wizard series. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, whip-smart, and a lot of fun to watch. While the 'Puffs' as a house may never come out on top, 'Puffs' the play just might."
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"In Matt Cox’s superb tribute to the house, Hufflepuff is rendered a plucky, peppy underdog whose extraordinary averageness is worth cheering...What 'Wicked' did for 'The Wizard of Oz,' 'Puffs' does brilliantly for 'Harry Potter'...'Puffs' succeeds above all else as an ensemble piece...Under Kristin McCarthy Parker’s expert direction, the fast-paced action...proceeds flawlessly. At just the right moments, miraculously, she’s able to slow things down for moments of unexpected poignancy."
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"If you have little or no familiarity with the books and movies devoted to Harry Potter, you can still find enough to laugh at here, thanks primarily to a smart script and an expert and committed cast. If, however, you can name all seven books or seen their film versions, you will likely be laughing uproariously at the endless in-jokes...There isn’t a weak link in the cast...The kind of lightweight entertainment that blows into the night."
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"I don't doubt an encyclopedic knowledge of Rowling's novels would enhance the experience, but I don't think it's necessary, either. This is a group of talented clowns goofing off - and who doesn't like that?"
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"'Puffs' was just about one of the best parodies I’ve come across in a long time. The story may not be about Harry, but it was easy to catch little details that Cox threw in just to see if anyone was paying attention...And lucky for Cox, he has assembled a fantastic cast to play this hilarious story out...Hats must go off to these emerging comedians who make those quick changes look effortless and really do make the audiences laugh uncontrollably!"
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"If you are a 'Harry Potter' book and movie fan, this hilarious and twisted Off-Broadway play will make you laugh out loud. It spoofs the series but Harry is not the focus; this time the smaller characters are the center and it is very funny...It is a must for 'Harry Potter' fans...Take your kids to this family-friendly and very funny show, you will be entertained...It is a roller coaster of laughter and I didn’t want the fun to end."
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"A lightning-fast, sketch-style comedy, but with the underpinnings of Cox's excellent script...It charms the audience with just the right skewering send-up, or affectionately touched nerve...The breakneck speed makes for ample high-voltage humor which drove the full house of 'Potter' fans to numerous outbursts of applause...Overall, this merry cast of twelve repeatedly enchants us, broadcasting a true pride in ownership that only hit shows have."
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"This is one of those plays that has truly come into its own, and 'Puffs' is not just a hit, it's now a long-running hit. The cast exudes it, and the production projects it...Never a parody but, rather, an affectionate, razor-witted response to one mother-behemoth of a franchise...'Puff's' biggest asset is the entire twelve-member ensemble, a gilded Pandora's comedy jack-in-the-box of solid performers as good as the best of any Broadway season."
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"'Puffs' offers a plethora of quick-witted references to everything within the fantasy universe that inspired it...The effect is nothing short of delightful, thanks to the incredible chemistry of director Kristin McCarthy Parker’s entire cast, many of whom take on various roles, and their improvisational skills...All in all, 'Puffs' proves to be a winning combination of hilarity and heart. For anyone who loved the original adventures of the Wizarding World, this play hits all the right points."
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"'Harry Potter' fans will appreciate the many references to the films and novels that both poke fun at, and remind you of why you love the series so much. Cox stays true to the original plot and to the new characters, providing a fun, energetic retelling of a story we think we already know...Parker has created a show that utilizes great comedic timing. Her cast is the perfect ensemble, resulting in many, many moments to capture a laugh from the audience."
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“Fast-moving, colorful and very funny…The jokes are fast-paced, and if you’re not up on your ‘Harry Potter,’ a good portion of the jokes will, like magic, go over your head…But it doesn’t take anything away from the joy of the story which all boils down to good vs. evil, and the victory by ones least expected to do so. The actors have a great time playing these wacky students...If we had a wand, and could conjure magic, we’d say in our best Hermione impersonation, 'Goeth toeth Puffeths.'"
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"While some bits went a little long, or could be cut entirely...Cox’s script is overflowing with jokes and allusions that will leave you laughing until you cry...Credit must go to Zac Moon. Perfectly cast as Wayne...His skill, combined with Kristin McCarthy Parker’s direction, creates an atmosphere that allows the audience to get lost in this world...While every cast member gets a multitude of laughs throughout the show, I wished for more diversity and dimensionality among them."
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"Laughs will be had by any true 'Potter' fan as the play both celebrates and mocks keys moments from all seven stories...But by play's end, you’ll find yourself caring much more for Wayne and his friends than you thought you would. Maybe you didn’t grow up with them like Harry, but the Puffs are so lovable and relatable, you’ll leave the theater wishing they were in the stories all along. I laughed, I wept, and I wanted to watch it again and again like it was an 'HP' film marathon on Freeform!"
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"The play is exceptionally clever, poking fun at many of the issues with 'Harry Potter,' and particularly with the movies, that die-hard fans often raise...What stands out most about this production is the very small cast’s ability to play multiple characters so convincingly...While the dynamics of the group serve to progress the story line and bring us through seven years, I found myself wishing the story would hurry up a bit and get back to the scenes that have to do with canon."
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"It never goes more than a minute without a laugh, mining its humor from meta jokes, impressive physical gags, and its characters’ charming ineptitude... All three of 'Puffs’ main players commit more than you’ll expect to its delivery of heart...As surprised as I was by how much I laughed at 'Puffs,' I was all the more surprised at how it actually moved me. Unlike most pieces of pop culture that avow devotion to the average Joe, the little guy, the nobody, 'Puffs' never undercuts its message."
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"'Puffs' is charming, entertaining, and fast-paced...The dialogue moves quickly, too—the characters speak at a pace that makes the cast of 'Gilmore Girls' look under-caffeinated. If you don’t have a pretty good grasp of the plot and characters, you will probably be confused. All of this isn’t helped by the fact that the references to 'Harry Potter' are sometimes oblique...The success of this piece hinges on the talent of the ensemble, and the actors deliver."
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"Even if you’ve...seen one of the original adaptations of the play, you’ll want to return if not just to see the new, grander, thoroughly immersive set, but to hear all the updated hilarious jokes from playwright Cox...Director Parker has created a magical stage farce that is nonstop fun. With the extremely hilarious and talented cast, she never allows your imagination to stray...For anyone who’s been at all captivated by any piece of the Potter universe, 'Puffs' is a must-see."
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"A much more substantial, thoughtful, and heartfelt play than it first appears...And it’s certainly not one joke stretched out to an hour and a half – the witty lines come at a mile a minute, and basically every one of them hits...It’s the blend of enchanting and vibrant new personalities with creative portrayals of the original cast that especially makes 'Puffs' worth the watch...Even casual Potterheads will likely leave with a new perspective on the story and a gut sore from laughing."
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"The belly laughs come when the 'Potter' story we already know surfaces in the lives of Wayne and his friends, although kids will love some of the physical and visual comedy...A series of lightning quick on- and off-stage costume changes enable the 11 cast members to play the full range of students, teachers, beasts, ghosts, and baddies from JK Rowling’s imagination and with a fast-paced wit bring to life seven years of being an underdog Puff while the overachievers win the prizes."
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"The fun of 'Puffs' is in its intersections with the story we know from J. K. Rowling’s books and the movie adaptations...Directed by Kristin McCarthy Parker in loopy, sketch comedy style, 'Puffs' is not as smartly scripted as Mr. Cox’s rollicking serial adventure 'Kapow-i GoGo'...But 'Puffs' exudes a jovial, winking fondness for all things Harry. For Potterphiliacs eager to revisit that world, that’s enticement enough."
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"Director Kristin McCarthy Parker’s exuberant pace rockets the ensemble through all the books and films in just '80-ish' minutes. Matt Cox’s script is blissfully hysterical, brimming with nods to the novels’ unforgettable moments...Replete with hilarious catch phrases, Cox and Parker bring their Potterverse to life as only two real fans could."
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"Cox parodied anime with the three-part epic 'Kapow-i GoGo' and again he sets himself apart from other parody writers by writing funny jokes for the fans while creating three-dimensional characters that you can care about despite your level of fandom...Those who have read the books and seen the movies will find the most to laugh at, but anyone can relate to these characters who don't get any breaks and aren't worshipped as heroes."
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"'Puffs' transcends mere parody and develops its own narrative and thematic arc about growth, friendship, and self-worth, the cornerstones of Rowling’s House of Hedgehogs. Its underdog story succeeds in getting the audience invested in these characters...The cast is impressive and engaging, and almost everyone plays multiple parts...Even a passing knowledge of Rowling’s wizarding world will be more than enough to thoroughly enjoy this funny, charming production."
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"Condensed into such a short performance time, the play oftentimes feels more like a montage than a true story... This piece of theater is hardly a Broadway masterpiece, but its scrappy thrown-together attitude is just as endearing to its audience as the Puffs themselves. Also if you come to this show, you can watch a certain Potions professor give the wizard sex talk."
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"Put simply, the cast are great, and they do Cox’s script a great service...I watched this play and I laughed, and laughed, and laughed. My favorite kind of evening at the theatre...You can’t pay $10 bucks to see a show this funny anywhere else in New York. Anywhere. Do yourself a favor and head on down to the PIT. Like the play that came before it, ‘Puffs’ is a must-see."
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"Performed by a marvelous ensemble, this piece mischievously parodies a certain very popular school for magic while telling the unknown story of a not-so-famous boy wizard...While this is a tremendous comedic feast for anyone familiar with the Potter franchise, most of the humor will be lost on anyone who abstains from the franchise. But 'Puffs' is more than just silly fluff. It includes heartfelt message in the piece about the nature of failure and loyalty."
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"'Puffs' is one of your best bets for comedy in the new year...For someone 'in the Harry Potter know', 'Puffs' will charm your socks off, in equal amounts of gentle parody and true love for their subject. If you’re not in the know, some of the jokes may not make their landing, but the enjoyment of the audience and the pure enthusiasm of the performers will ease over any uncomfortable feelings."
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"'Puffs' transcends parody and fan service to create a three-dimensional world populated by believable characters whose tragedies resonate as strongly as their triumphs. There’s a lot of story to get through in 80ish minutes, but director Kristin McCarthy Parker’s sure hand keeps the story clear even as the pace gets frenetic."
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"NYC has a brand new Harry Potter play about Hufflepuffs, and it’s totally awesome!...Avoiding spoilers, we can say that the play’s interpretation of the Battle of Hogwarts got really dark and really emotional...the production values here are practically nonexistent...There is no set, pretty much no costumes, and very minimal props. A hard-working cast of eleven portrays nearly thirty characters...The script here is good enough that we would buy a copy."
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"This hilarious spoof of the 'Harry Potter' series, told from the point of view of the school's least talented students, is oddly affecting, and definitely worth going to see…With a cast of eleven actors performing multiple roles, 'Puffs' gives everyone a chance to shine...Kristin McCarthy Parker does a wonderful job directing the production, which includes some effective use of puppets to create a magical world within a bare-bones theater."
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"A fast-paced 90-minute play, densely packed with jokes, one-liners, and references to all things Harry Potter...The biggest flaw in the show is its overuse of references to well-known events from the books...However, halfway through the performance, the show begins to find its own legs as it breaks free from its reliance on reference humor... 'Puffs' is a successful romp. It may not win the house cup, but it certainly does not come in last place."
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"This show was terrific...The ensemble cast takes the setup’s bare-bones format (a red mop is Ron Weasley) and runs with it, delivering a laugh-out-loud production perfect for any fan of this magical world…I’m sitting here trying to think of any negative things to bring up – any cons to balance out this long list of pros…I left not feeling at all cheated – the 90-ish minutes were a perfect fit. Oh, well. I guess a glowing review isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes, magic just happens."
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