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

"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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"'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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