Theater Review: 'Puffs' at Arts at Angeloria's

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch Neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

The Arts at Angeloria's in Southington has taken on the challenge of "Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic," a 2015 play written by Matt Cox.

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Artistic Director Lori Holm is a dedicated Harry Potter fan and for 14 years her arts school provided wizarding summer camps to hundreds of youths, including one of the actors in this production. Holm gleefully works as producer of this piece that is near and dear to her heart. She also served as a mentor to young community theater performers Rachel Glander and Dylan Ryan, who make their directorial debuts with this fast paced, character packed, and prop heavy script and manage to pull it off. Glander is a Speech Pathology major at SCSU and Ryan is an accomplished musician and actor and is the partner of his co-director. The couple both appeared in the impressive A@A production of "Jesus Christ Superstar."

The fact that this play was originally produced Off Broadway by a company called Tilted Windmills Theatricals may give you a hint of the tone of this parody of the Harry Potter series. Although Potter appears briefly on stage, this is really the story of the students in the House of Puffs who attend the "certain" magic school during the years of 1991-1998. As Holm writes in her program note, "Tonight we shine the spotlight on the loyal, the kindly and the profoundly overlooked: the Puffs."

"'Puffs' embodies the deep need for connection," write the co-directors, "and finding a place to belong. It is a show for the under dogs, a message for anyone who has ever felt like the side character in someone else's story."

This talented ensemble cast clearly worked hard to master a ton of lines for each of the many well-known characters that they brought to life, all requiring many quick changes. Their energy level never failed as they barreled through the two acts.

Amanda Amitan is a delight in the roles of Susie Bones, Colin, Hermeonee #2, Rick Gryff, Prof. Locky and Real Mr. Moody. Frank Baron returns to the A@A stage to take on the role of the hunky student Cedric and the evil Mr. Voldy.

In her A@A debut, Hannah Billings takes on the roles of Sally Perks, Hermeonee #1, Blondo Malfoy, Rita Scooter, Rowena and Frenchy. Billings is the summer camper/prefect that experiences a full circle moment on this stage. Chris Bushey, who played Caiaphas in "Jesus Christ Superstar" on this stage, "only" has to play the narrator of the story, but he has a lot to do.

Shelly Campbell, a fabulous stage manager at A@A, trades in her headset to take on a slew of roles. She covers Hannah, First Headmaster, Prof. McG, Prof. Sprouts, Prof. Lanny, Runes Teach, Ms. Babble, the lovely Ginny, Mr. Nick and Death Buddy. The multi-talented Jen Colella (Mary Magdalene in "JCS") tackles the characters of Ernie Mac, Xavia, A Very Tall Man, A Certain Potions Teacher, Scorpy, Bippy, Ghost History Teacher and the infamous Harry.

Jack Costable (pictured above) is only required to play the part of the new student wizard Wayne Hopkins and does it well. Joseph Oliveira is a riot in the role of Oliver Rivers in his A@A debut. Lauren Varnado makes an impressive theatre debut as the student Megan Jones, who believes that she belongs in the Snake House.

Amber Cunningham-Brail shines in all of her roles, which include Leanne, Helga, Second Headmaster, Uncle Dave and the memorable Zach Smith. Raegan Howard, who works as a hospice nurse, returns to this stage to play J. Finch, Goyle, Clumsy Longbottom, Viktor, Hermeonee #3, A Fat Friar, Sal and Death Buddy #1.

There is lots of fun wordplay and physical comedy to enjoy, even if you are not familiar with the Harry Potter franchise. I always feel as if I am missing out on some of the jokes because my memory of the details of the series have faded, but I still laugh throughout the two acts. I can't help but enjoy the theater kids' references, and a monologue about "Wicked," a story of a certain witch, deserved the round of applause it was given on opening night. The talented performers in this cast do a great job of bringing the plethora of characters to life and bring out all of the comedic elements of the script. The adlibbing when there is a mishap with a prop, a late entrance or a difficult exit were even funnier.

The writing of the play has begun to grow on me on subsequent viewings, perhaps because I had a better understanding of where it was going. I am still sure that I missed a long list of Harry Potter references that others caught, but it probably doesn't matter. I maintain that there are some cute and funny parodies of the original books/movies, as well as a bit of sly commentary on the appropriateness of the darker aspects for young readers, and a pretty satisfying ending.

The co-directors provided the choreography and (constant) movement design. Lighting design by Eric Carlson worked well in the Art Barn and sound design by Kevin Pelkey covered all of the required noises very well. Pelkey and Oriaana Sworden worked together to run the tech booth. It did not surprise me that both Diana Bruenn and Angela Jackson are needed to work backstage as stage managers in order to keep everything on track. Both stage managers were part of "JCS."

Holm worked as costume designer/coordinator of the student wizard uniforms, the fun headgear of the faculty members and loads of crazy wigs. A host of volunteers built the castle of a set, but the producer worked her magic with the plethora of props and the set dressing. The existing Harry Potter decorations in the Art Barn added a 360 degree of charm to the set. Raegan Howard donated the matching black robes and also created the butter bear bottles. John Condon used a 3D printer to create the wizard cup. Glander made the sock puppets and Ryan created Wayne's broom. Stacey Burwell is the venue's house manager.

"Puffs" (Hi!) is a fresh take on the Harry Potter Universe. There are some flashing lights and at a few points the audience is lit. The script contains quite a bit of foul language and sexual innuendo that makes it rated PG-13. The production of "a play for anyone who has never been destined to save the world" continues at the Art Barn at A@A through Sept. 20. The unique venue is located at 223 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike in Southington.

Take advantage of our first responder offer in remembrance of 9/11: purchase a ticket for the opening weekend (9/11-9/13) and bring a first responder (EMS/EMTs, firefighters, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, and dispatchers) for free. Tickets at: angelorias.ludus.com

The holiday season will bring "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" to the black box at Arts at Angeloria's.