Reviews: Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at Certain School of Magic and Magic Young Wizard Edition at Westfield High School
Written by Gigi Okey-Eboh of Centreville High School
"We are not a threat!" ... unless, of course, you count stealing the audience's hearts. All wizards, witches, and muggles beware of Westfield High School's magically chaotic and delightfully heartwarming production of Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic!
Puffs is a laugh-out-loud parody of J.K. Rowling's classic tale of The Boy Who Lived; however, very quickly we find out that not all heroes wear lightning bolted scars. This 110-ish minute play follows the not-so-magical wizard Wayne Hopkins and his goofy gang of lovable underdogs known as the Puffs. Over the course of seven increasingly eventful years at wizarding school, they survive encounters with dragons, dark forces, serpents, and school dances. All while stumbling through life lessons and finding their third place in a world of heroes.
This tale was delivered with flawless charm from the Narrator (Rebecca Zanotti) whose comedic timing and passionately expressive delivery very quickly set the tone for a whirlwind of hilarity and excitement. Combined with her very comedic audience interactions, Zanotti brought the story to life and easily had the audience captivated. At the center of it all you'll find our tight-knit trio of Wayne Hopkins (Morgan Palmer), Oliver Rivers (Charlie Gurson), and Megan Jones (Brenna Pond). Between Morgan's energetic delivery, Charlie's nerdy flair, and Megan's angsty edge, the trio's chemistry is unmistakable. The three actors provided very emotional performances in the midst of a comedic show offering dynamic contrast throughout the story that kept everyone at the edge of their seats.
The ensemble of Puffs had the audience with a simple, enthusiastic "Hiiiiii!". Full of energy and personality, each and every Puff student had a unique charm. Harmoniously connected on stage, every character showcased their own quirky unforgettable personas. Two actors who stood out with their physicality were J. Finch Fletchley (Jonah Johnson) and Leanne (Langlen Heisnam). Johnson's extremely entertaining performance had a vast range. Going from crawling on all fours and running across the stage to being completely frozen in his petrified state, Jonah left his mark on the audience as a comedic powerhouse in every scene. Similarly, Langlen's portrayal of Leanne was extremely memorable. With her whimsical charm and slightly ditzy demeanor she definitely made her mark as the Puffiest Puff.
The real magic of this production can be found behind the scenes. Special effects by Jonah Johnson and the special effects team elevated the performance profoundly. The unique use of projection screens especially made this performance purely bewitching. The moving portraits gave the illusion of magical, living paintings and added to the world building immensely. The costume team led by Cody Bunch and assisted by Danae Kazerian-Soto conjured up extremely detailed work. The unity and uniqueness in the Puffs is incredible. Every student wore yellow clothing, yellow striped ties, and black cloaks, yet socks, shoes, accessories, even the way they wore their ties differently added to each Puff students' unique story. The costumes changing slightly throughout the story to symbolize character growth is a spellbinding detail.
In the end, Puffs reminds you that you don't need a lightning bolt scar or destiny to be unforgettable. Westfield High School's production captures the true meaning of heroism: loyalty and friendship, showing us even the most average wizard has a little magic, and a lot of heart, inside them.
Written by Maisie Smith-Zoh of Oakton High School
Finding out you're a wizard might be a bit of an odd twist to the already tumultuous teenage years. A tale of sorcery, belonging, and coming of age, Westfield High School's Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic Young Wizard Edition struck the perfect balance between humor, intensity, and magic.
Puffs is set in the world of J.K. Rowling's eminent Harry Potter series. Taking place within the same mystical locale, the play was written by Matt Cox and premiered in 2015. It examines the experiences of the often-overlooked students belonging to the "Puff" house, depicting the trials faced by the underdogs of the school. The play follows these students through their seven years of wizarding education and recounts the roles they play in the most riveting affairs typically only discussed from the perspective of a certain boy who lived.
Westfield High School's rendition of Puffs was spellbinding, drawing audiences into the ineffably magical setting with relatable, bright camaraderie and whimsy. The tale of the Puffs is one of kinship, self-discovery, and the tribulations of adolescence; the evolution that each character undergoes over the course of the plot was vivified by both spirited performances and masterfully executed technical components. A particular standout aspect was the adept characterisation employed by the many actors who each played multiple characters--the ensemble cast differentiated their roles powerfully, crafting distinguishable identities for each one.
The trio of leading Puffs--Wayne Hopkins, played by Morgan Palmer, Oliver Rivers, played by Charlie Gurson, and Megan Jones, played by Brenna Pond--demonstrated a palpable affinity that grew with each passing year. From the most comical moments to striking, despondent dialogues, the actors demonstrated remarkable range in both their individual characterisation and their unwavering group chemistry. In a resonating conversation with the second Headmaster, played by Arsema Kelkay, Palmer revealed a more emotional side to their acting that contrasted effectively with the many earlier lighthearted iterations of their ever-changing character. The second act culminated in a wholesome glimpse into the future; Gurson and Pond also demonstrated a shift toward a sentimental mood that pleasantly wrapped up the show.
The spirited ensemble of Puff students stood out as a group, developing together through solidarity and support for each other. United in their regard for Cedric (Peter Dalton) in year four, they demonstrated exceptional togetherness in scenes like the third challenge where each unique character shone through. Zach Smith, played by Riley Burden, and Mr. Voldy, played by Clark Dalton, both had audiences chuckling with the sharp wit exhibited in their improvised monologues filled with current pop culture references; these lent a contemporary touch to the overall '90s vibe of the show.
The play's hallowed magic was created by a plethora of beautifully executed technical elements. The lighting team, consisting of Ella Mescher, Vinita Adhira, Kei Shafer, and Rebecca Ryles, contrasted vibrant, dynamic effects in celebratory scenes with more plain lighting after a devastating battle that ended in tragedy. Additionally, stage managers Eden Teni, Caroline Wright, Prithika Kalaivanan, and Stella Moyer ensured that the show's pacing remained clear and purposeful with timely, sharp cues.
Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic Young Wizard Edition at Westfield High School was truly enchanting, paying an outstanding homage to the underdog Puffs and reminding the audience that there is a bit of Puff in everybody.