Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - 1st National Tour

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 12:01pm

After nearly 6.5 years of playing on Broadway, the producers and creative team of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" will launch a 1st National Tour this September 10th in Chicago.

The cast for the tour was announced this morning, featuring John Skelley as Harry Potter, who returns to the titular role after starring in the San Francisco sit-down production. Alongside Skelley will be Matt Mueller as Ron Weasley, Ebony Blake as Hermione Granger, Trish Lindstrom as Ginny Potter, and more.

The tour will play in Chicago through February 1, 2025, after which it will travel to Hollywood's Pantages Theatre for an engagement from February 13 through June 22. Following this, it will move on to The National Theatre in Washington, DC, where it will begin performances on July 8.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 1:14pm

Can’t wait to see it here in Chicago and curious what they’re changed with it. 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 6/10/24 at 1:51pm

Really curious to hear how the effects work, I heard from someone that the main change is getting rid of the onstage water (which makes sense), but I'd assume there's more than that too.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 6/11/24 at 2:57pm

I'm curious to see if the touring actors will play into the queer subtext. James Romney and Brady Dalton Richards played the Albus / Scorpius relationship as a romance when I saw the show on Broadway.
James Romney and Brady D. Richards, 1-Part Version of Harry Potter Cursed Child [Full Interview] (youtube.com)

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/11/24 at 4:19pm

chrishuyen said: "Really curious to hear how the effects work, I heard from someone that the main change is getting rid of the onstage water (which makes sense), but I'd assume there's more than that too."

I don't even remember the water? 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 6/11/24 at 4:26pm

I think the water is at the top of what used to be the second act of part 1

 

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When they go back in time to the Triwizard Tournament and end up in the lake they climb out of a pool of water on stage

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/13/24 at 7:49pm

Anyone gone in the first week?

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/13/24 at 7:55pm

I will not be seeing this.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 9/13/24 at 9:00pm

It’s a solid production, with an especially strong Act 2. I caught the Sept 10 performance.

I went in as blind as possible. Never read the Harry Potter books. I likely would have picked up on more references if familiar with the characters.

Every few minutes, there is clever, magical staging. The show held my interest. I especially liked the bookcase scene.

There isn’t a pool of water as referenced above, but there is a time traveling fountain.

Great lighting, great direction.

But TOO many dramatic flourishes of capes!

Larry Yando isn’t Goodman’s Scrooge this year. He has picked a worthy project.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/13/24 at 9:13pm

Probably a rarity for tours nowadays, but this production has gotten away with having a trap door! It’s utilized for the moaning Myrtle scene and a handful of other scenes.
 

 

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this is an image of the lagoon scene, which I believe is the ‘pool’ of water as described above. 

 

[sorano916]

Posted: 9/13/24 at 11:21pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Probably a rarity for tours nowadays, but this production has gotten away with havinga trap door! It’s utilized for the moaning Myrtle scene and a handful of other scenes.

 

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thisis an image of the lagoon scene, which I believe is the ‘pool’ of water as described above.

"

No, there's an actual pool of water in the Bway & West End production. I'm also assuming it's not in the touring production.
 

 

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It's after the scene you share above. Basically, after they make Cedric fly away, they appear in the lake on stage below. Well, Scorpius shows up in the lake and is met by Umbridge.

Later, right before Snape gets caught by the dementor, Scorpius gets back into the lake. And when the timeline is restored, he pops up and then Albus before getting caught by the parents again.

x

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/14/24 at 1:39am

 

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Scorpius and Albus do pop out of a trap door at the moment you discuss, but there isn’t really a pool of water. Just a lighting effect.

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/14/24 at 5:04pm

Saw the show in London so curious what effects were kept from the longer version. How does Act 1 end?

[Shubert Alley Cat]

Posted: 9/14/24 at 6:21pm

RippedMan said: "Saw the show in London so curious what effects were kept from the longer version. How does Act 1 end?"

 

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In the condensed version Act I ends in the same fashion as Part I ended with the appearance of Umbridge and the Dementors.  It is a terrific Act I closer.

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/14/24 at 6:23pm

Thanks! Taking a friend in Chicago so want to make sure it’s up to par. 

[theatregeek25]

Posted: 9/18/24 at 11:12am

My partner won the lottery last week so we saw the Harry Potter tour on Thurs., 9/12.  It's a solid, entertaining version of the play, although another 30 minutes has been cut from the original text.  The story is basically the same.  The magic is fine.  Strong performances by all, especially Larry Yando as Snape.

[sorano916]

Posted: 9/18/24 at 1:09pm

theatregeek25 said: "My partner won the lottery last week so we saw theHarry Pottertour on Thurs., 9/12. It's a solid, entertaining version of the play, although another 30 minutes has been cut from the original text. The story is basically the same. The magic is fine. Strong performances by all, especially Larry Yando as Snape."

When you say 30 minutes cut from the original text? Do you mean from the original  Two Part version? Or from the reduced One Part version? I can't imagine 30 minutes cut from the One Part version without the plot being completely thrown out the window?

[jpbran]

Posted: 9/18/24 at 2:23pm

SURELY it's not another :30 from the shortened 1-part version. It already has a couple of sections that run like they're on 2x fast-forward. 

[ChiDoc]

Posted: 9/18/24 at 3:12pm

It is indeed now just 2:50.  It moves in hyperspeed, especially at the beginning of the show.  An article in the Tribune seemed to indicate that this is going to be the official version of the one-part show moving forward, which is a... choice.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 10/12/24 at 5:28pm

Saw the tour in Chicago. It’s a fine cast and most of the magic translates well to the new stage. The script has been cut down further from the version I saw in NY in 2022. The exposition zips by fast and the adults get less time to make an impression.

The core remains the relationship between the two lads. Emmet Smith leans into Albus’s cruelty making him hard to warm up to in the first half. Aidan Close balances Scorpius’s comedy and pathos. I’ve always found this role to be the heart of the show. 

The actors play their ambiguous final scene romantically. But the dialogue still feels like it’s trying to appease the Hays Code censors. I wish the show didn’t feel the need to play “don’t ask, don’t tell.” 

Updated On: 7/9/25 at 05:28 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/8/24 at 8:19pm

In the second task of the triwizard tournament the tour will no longer be using live performances for the swimming/flying section. It will now be projected footage of the swimming. I presume this is a cost cutting measure.

Updated On: 11/8/24 at 08:19 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/1/24 at 7:29pm

Matt Mueller has been out of the show for the past few weeks and Nathan Hosner has been an incredible Ron!

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/2/25 at 2:38pm

After five months, the tour completed its first leg in Chicago last night. It will be on a two week layoff as it prepares its move to LA for the first performance on the 15th. Here is a photo of the touring and Chicago local crew of the show. Lots of folks back and front house making the magic happen every night!

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/9/25 at 2:51pm

Matt Harrington has officially stepped into the role of Ron on tour. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 10:45am

Ebony Blake, the Hermione from the tour, is unfortunately out on medical leave for cancer treatment. Wish her an easy and speedy recovery! https://gofund.me/549496e3

"Last year, Ebony underwent surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy to treat cancer — all while rehearsing to play Hermione in The First National Tour of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" — with bravery, grace, and grit.

She'd hoped that chapter was closed, but unfortunately, adenoid cystic carcinoma had other plans.

This week, Ebony is undergoing complex surgery at Mt. Sinai in NYC as the next step of this process. Her team is the best of the best and her spirits are high — but our love and support are needed now.

The recovery process will likely be long and may involve additional radiation or surgery, so Ebony has had to step away from the show for the time being. Your contributions will help with medical bills and living expenses, and most importantly, give Ebony and James peace of mind so she can rest and heal."