Theater Review: "Puffs" by Pomperaug Theatre Company

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Pomperaug Theatre Company 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. I was once again invited to attend the final dress rehearsal for my review.

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 magic school at the same time.

Director Madge O’Toole acknowledges that fans of the Harry Potter series root for Harry and his friends, but “if this were the real world, there would be different perspectives on this fantastical adventure.” The director loves the show because “it grounds our expectations of heroes…Maybe heroes don’t have to be the smartest, the bravest…Maybe they just have to show up for each other.”

The students work under the direction of Pomperaug faculty member Madge O’Toole, who oversees all of the moving parts in this story beginning in 1991. Nick Napoli was the supervisor of the construction of the set and Jeanne Hawley serves as parent coordinator.

Some talented Pomperaug students get to play the leading roles in the play. Alice Sugden plays the student Megan, the dark daughter of the infamous wizard Xavia Jones. Stevie Bennett plays the budding mathematician Oliver and Riley Powell is the improbable student named Wayne. My “Fiddler on the Roof” castmate Kalman Zold literally jumps up on this stage to convincingly portray the hunky student Cedric (“What a Man”) as well as the scary Voldy.

Kyler Kumi is a delight as the show’s narrator. This talented PHS student also composed the song that he performs on the ukulele at the beginning of the show, with another student on violin. The two blend beautifully and the music adds a plaintive tone to both the opening and closing scenes.

Most of the cast are required to play four or more supporting characters. Ari Levins is J. Finch, Fletchley, Fat Friar, Mr. Bagman, the first Headmaster and Hermeoone #3. Grace Mombo takes on Sally Perks, Hermeoone, Blondo Malfoy, Rowena, and Rita Scooter.

Julia Vela plays Hannah, Prof. McG, Prof. Sprouty, Xavia, Prof. Lanny and Zach Smith. Nora Mange changes costumes to play Ernie Mac, A Certain Potions Teacher, Mr. Nick, second Headmaster and Real Mr. Moody. Brinley Powell appears as Harry, Myrtle and a dark Death Buddy. Noah Hornberger plays A Very Tall Man, Sal, Prof. Turban, Basilisk, and Death Buddy.

Jai Bette is Seamus, Collin, Sirius, Sports Announcer and Death Buddy. Addie Evans gets to play Helga, Frenchy, Bibby (the elf,) Dementor, Cedric, a backup dancer and Death Buddy. Kaelen Doyle appears as Susie Bones, Mrs. Babble and a Death Buddy. Juliana Hakim-Santiago plays both Leanne and Death Buddy. Mila Rivera is Ginny, Runes Teacher, Cedric backup dancer and Death Buddy.

Xavier Chu is funny as Uncle Dave, Goyle, Ghost History Teacher, Viktor, Scorpy, Prof. Locky and Death Buddy. Mairin Beekey plays Death Buddy, Snake, Egg and Clumsy Longbottom. Sophia Clemems plays the dragon, Sorting Hat, Death Buddy, Goblet and Hermeoone #2.

Many students stepped up to work behind the scenes. Sophia Ltaif worked as assistant director and co-stage manager, with Rowan Vas the other co-stage manager and technical director. Addison Batoon and Ada Llabani choreographed the dance numbers, with Addie Evans as dance captain. Katherine Mombo was the musical director and the fun set was designed by Madison Ferguson, Lilliana Lum and Melanie Redline. Lighting and sound worked well overall, assisted by D and T Stage. There is a clever lighting effect involving a wand at the beginning of the show and a choreographed school battle at the end.

The student-run crew committees include House, Construction, Paint, Costumes, Publicity, Tech, Swing Crew, Hair and Makeup, and Props. The costumes are based on British school uniforms, with lots of add ons and few fun wigs. It always takes a village to raise a show.

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. The Pomperaug performers do a great job of bringing the plethora of characters to life and bring out all of the comedic elements of the script well.

“Puffs” is presented in the Pomperaug High School auditorium with one intermission. Before the show begins, a student-produced video gives us a glimpse of the hard work that was put into the show behind the scenes. There are photos, video clips and music in the short pre show video.

Showtimes:

Friday, December 1st at 7:00pm
Saturday, December 2nd at 7:00pm
Sunday, December 3rd at 2:00pm

Ticket Prices:
Adults/General: $15.00
Students/Staff/Senior: $10.00

Running Time:
2hrs 15min including a 15-minute intermission

All performances are in the auditorium at Pomperaug High School, 234 Judd Road, Southbury

Follow the link to purchase tickets!
https://www.onthestage.tickets...

Follow Pomperaug Theatre Company on Instagram @pomptheatre for pictures and videos!

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.