This post is brought to you in partnership with Broadway in Portland. I received complimentary tickets to facilitate my post. Opinions are my own.
Every generation seems to have “that” story. The one everyone has read (and then re-read), quoted, debated, and shared with their kids. For so many of us, Harry Potter was that story. We grew up waiting for letters that never came, passionately arguing about which house we belonged in (Ravenclaw here), and imagining just how satisfying it would be to cast spells on the people who treated us poorly. So for all of us Potterheads, getting the chance to step back into the wizarding world feels a little bit like coming home. And last night, my own Harry (and fellow Potterhead) and I got to do exactly that as we watched Harry Potter and the Cursed Child bring that beloved world to life on stage. (And let me tell you – it did NOT disappoint!)
You expect a show with the words “Harry Potter” in the title to be full of special effects and plenty of stage magic – but this show? The effects blew us away. (Seriously, who knew you could literally be in awe of a Dementor?!) From the moment the show begins, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is FILLED with Hogwarts-level magic, bringing the wizarding world to life in a way that feels almost impossible. But the real magic of this show goes far beyond the spells and special effects. The real magic is in the story. Because this isn’t the story of the boy who lived. That story has already been told. This is the story of what happens when the next generation inherits the stories of those who came before them and have to figure out how to write their own. And this story asks a question that is far bigger than the wizarding world: do we find healing by changing the past, or by learning to make peace with it?
And maybe that is the real magic of this show. This play is more than a love letter to the Harry Potter universe. With everything going on in the world right now, so many of us are looking for joy. For nostalgia. For comfort. And for so many of us, these characters have become exactly that. I’ve read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, so I knew exactly what was coming, but my heart still leapt the moment Snape (my all-time favorite Harry Potter character!) walked onto the stage. It was just as much fun revisiting Moaning Myrtle (just don’t let her hear you call her that!) But can we talk about Mackenzie Lesser-Roy?! (The delightful and talented actress who brought Moaning Myrtle to life on stage.) What an absolute JOY she was to watch! Total scene-stealer. And then there was the simple joy of seeing Harry, Ron, and Hermione again. Not as the trio we grew up with, but as adults. As parents. As people still trying to figure it all out, just like the rest of us.
The entire ensemble cast absolutely SHINED on stage bringing beloved and cherished characters to life with heart, warmth, and authenticity. The talented actors in this company were able to honor the spirit of characters we know so well while still making them feel completely their own.
Of course, no review of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would be complete without mentioning the two incredible actors at the center of this story. David Fine brought so much heart, humor, and vulnerability to Scorpius, making him one of the most compelling characters on stage. And alongside him, Adam Grant Morrison as Albus captured the complicated emotions of a young person trying to figure out who he is when everyone else already thinks they know his story.
Lead actors often receive the most media attention (and seriously – this group of actors deserves every bit of press they receive!), but the ensemble actors as well as the stage crew responsible for scene transitions and effects deserve recognition. 5 points to the ensemble and effects crew! When an actor makes moving a prop off the stage a theatrical spectacle – you know you’re watching true theater magic.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be playing at the Keller Auditorium in Portland now through August 15th. While remaining tickets are limited, you still have a chance to see this incredible show (no spells required.) Any remaining tickets can be found HERE.
If you can’t make it to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, next up at the Keller Auditorium is Water for Elephants! This musical based on the novel by the same name (that I loved!) and described as “gorgeously imaginative” will be at the Keller September 29th – October 4th. You can purchase tickets for Water for Elephants HERE.
And don’t miss out on the FABULOUS upcoming 2026/2027 Season from Broadway in Portland! Get ready Portland – it’s going to be an incredible year at the theater! This year’s lineup includes some fantastic new shows coming off Broadway and a few long-time favorites (that I can’t wait to see again!) To learn more about the upcoming season, visit: https://portland.broadway.com/subscriptions/. See you at the theater!
