Puffs!

Puffs, a magical, ninety-minute, Off-Broadway play written by Matt Cox comes to the Performing Arts Center, produced and performed by the talent within our own school!

PUFFS Announcement

By Sean Glover

After All Together Now!, the GPHS Theatre Department continues their revival of in-person theatre performances with their spring production of Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic. This title may seem familiar since it draws near the title of another series, starring another certain wizard boy with a scar on his forehead. This ninety-minute play condenses seven years of magic, focusing on the Puffs house, alongside the Braves, the Snakes, and the Smarts (who are given featured roles like Harry, Blondo Malfoy, Clumsy Longbottom, and more). The witty, satirical moments and the slapstick comedy make this show a quick, feel-good experience-- except when it isn’t. Performed by GPHS students in the Performing Arts Center (PAC), the doors for this show will open on March 4th, and continue on the 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, and 13th.

The story is described by Concord Theatricals as such: “For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs... who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.” Our protagonist, destined to save the world, conquer evil, and perform impressive spells like Harry (played by Lexi Imel) and Cedric (Shawn Jones), is Wayne Hopkins (Bryce Robertson). We are then met with outsiders Oliver Rivers (Riley Morrison) and Megan Jones (Allison Robinson) who assist Wayne in earning points for their house and discovering the secrets of the school and their pasts. Each with their own (slightly annoying) personalities, more Puffs take shape as rounded characters and provide interesting or, more often, silly bits to our protagonist’s story. Meira Rice, who plays a Puff named Susie Bones, says that her experience "...has been so awesome! I’ve gotten to meet and connect with so many new people! Being surrounded by so many talented actors, I’ve gotten to stretch myself and become more in tune with my character." Other Puffs include Leanne (Olivia Wainscott), Sally Perks (Stephanie Eminowicz), Susie Bones (Meira Rice), Ernie Mac (Adam Burns), J. Finch Fletchly (Quinn Polen), Hannah (Avery Duewel), and a narrator (Sean Glover) who pieces the material of the content together.

Left to right: Stephanie Eminowicz, Meira Rice, Avery Duewel, Riley Morrison, Olivia Wainscott, Bryce Robertson taken by Kye Daywitt

Left to right: Stephanie Eminowicz, Meira Rice, Allison Robinson, Quinn Polen, Adam Burns, Riley Morrison, Olivia Wainscott, Avery Duewel taken by Kye Daywitt

Incorporated into the story are plenty more characters, ranging up to 70+ roles, divided among 38 actors. Each actor and crew member are players in the intricate building of an impressive performance, including life-sized puppets, sleight-of-hand magic props, minute-short quick changes, on-stage quick changes, on-stage lighting effects, hand-crafted wands personalized by every ensemble member, and so much more to feast your eyes on as the story unfolds. Puffs incredibly encapsulates the magic of theatre into a zany performance that sometimes really does look like magic and leaves a person wondering if they have to pull themselves away from that world once it’s over.

Wayd Drake, the Technical Director, oversees all of the behind-the-scenes work regarding the show, including lights, sound, and the set: an incredible capture of the Puffs and their place in the world of wizarding magic (which may or may not be a quaint little basement somewhere near the kitchens). Hannah Rosner coordinates the immense amount of costumes and props. This magic is finally brought to life with the direction of Julia Cuppy and Assistant Director Kye Daywitt.

Left to right: Avery Duewel, Meira Rice, Adam Burns, Riley Morrison taken by Kye Daywitt

Don’t miss Puffs on these select dates that start on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Adult tickets are $12, and students and seniors are $8. Mister Voldy (Shawn Jones) and his group of evil Death Buddies await your arrival!

Page updated

Report abuse