Review: 'Puffs' at Newtown High School

NEWTOWN - Newtown High School Drama presented the two-act edition of “Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic” this past weekend live on the stage of the school’s auditorium. Teacher Janice Gabriel directed the students.

Written by New York playwright Matt Cox, this play is a comedic retelling of the popular Harry Potter from the point of view of the “Puff.” The piece was developed in part during a residency with the University of Florida School of Theatre and Dance and produced Off-Broadway. The original incidental music was composed by Brian Hoes.

Ms. Gabriel shared in her Director’s Note that she had never laughed as much at rehearsal before, adding “but through the silliness and ‘schtick’ there are some truly tender lessons to be learned throughout the story of our loveable yet underappreciated Puffs….One of the lessons I hope to pass on to our student actors is that we are stewards of every character we play and they deserve to be honored and played honestly.”

NHS sophomore Sadie Gureasko-Moore opened the performance as the narrator and appeared often throughout the two acts. Sean Kenny did a great job playing unlikely wizard Wayne Hopkins, a nerdy boy from New Mexico. Leah Crebbin (“Godspell”) was very convincing as Megan Jones and Jules Kessler rounded out the trio of Puffs students very well in the role of Oliver Rivers, a mathematics wizard. .

Ella Renak was nicely evil in her third production at NHS as Megan’s mother, Xavia Jones . Freshman Ashton Almeter played the lead Puff named Cedric, sophomore Ava Baroody (who has been part of NewArts productions for nine years) was Hannah and the First Headmaster, and senior James Thorpe appeared as J. Finch Fletchley, Goyle and Clumsy Longbottom. Sophomore Julia Forlenzo played Harry and Susie Bones. NHS senior Liz Gotschlich played Sally Perks and Blondo Malfoy in a great wig. Junior Amelia Rivera played Leanne, as well as Helga and Frenchy.

Other students that played a wide range of students, supporting characters and teachers at the school included Kristin Lageman, Zoe Marsh, Jackson McDevitt, Grayson Anderson, Sadie Baimel, Adlien Ekman, and Reese Wheat.

The magnificent castle set that filled the Newtown HS stage was constructed by a team led by Claire Nalajala and painted by Maren Leyva and Carissa Soriano. Maia Bracksieck was the head of props, Abby McCafferty was in charge of the sound, Lily Swansiger was in charge of the lighting, all of which were well done. I had a little trouble understanding some of the lines, but the students were working while masked and did the best that they could. There was a bit of naughty language that I managed to catch, but I probably missed some of the references to the Harry Potter books that I still haven’t read.

The students in the audience at the final performance were very supportive of their classmates on the stage and behind the scenes.