Stepping away from the familiar pages of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, brings comedic charm, heart, and Hufflepuff pride to the stage, celebrating the often overlooked students of the Wizarding World. The play, sold out every weekend at the CVHS Theatre, ran on Fridays, January 17 and 24 at 7 PM, and Saturdays, January 18 and 25 at 2 PM and 7 PM.
Puffs, originally written by Matt Cox, premiered off-Broadway in 2015 at the Peoples Improv Theater. Since then, it has built a devoted following. The play satirizes the well-known characters and events from the Harry Potter series, shifting the focus from the main heroes to the students of the (Huffle)”Puff” house. Cox’s witty script and playful nods to the original series offer a refreshing perspective on familiar literary tropes. Its success has led to productions across the U.S. and even a filmed version available for streaming. Puffs is notable for being one of the first plays to parody and honor the Harry Potter universe, securing its place as a unique and beloved piece of modern theater.
The play follows the main characters—Wayne Hopkins, Oliver Rivers, and Meghan Jones—as they navigate adventures, from fighting trolls to confronting Meghan’s “evil” mother. CVHS freshman Long Nguyen plays the narrator, guiding us through the seven-year journey. He blends seamlessly with the over-the-top cast, frequently interacting with the audience. Wayne is our main character played by Freshman Derek Lohmann, who dreams of being a hero. Junior Joshua Alade portrays Oliver as a mathematician struggling to embrace his wizarding side. Finally, there’s Meghan Jones, played by Freshman Bella Rocca, who wants nothing more than to escape the school and her “fellow Puffs” to join her mother—the infamous ally of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.
When I first heard about the play, I wasn’t immediately intrigued. Having read the entire Harry Potter series cover to cover about five times in middle school, I didn’t see the point in another parody of a world I was already so familiar with.
However, I was pleasantly surprised.
When I first walked into the CVHS Theatre, I was immediately drawn to the stunning handmade backdrop. It was a beautifully crafted display of books and other magical trinkets, arranged in a way that resembled a perfect mix of the Hogwarts Library and Common Room. It was used frequently throughout the play to separate the characters’ locations and the center door doubled as a quick backstage exit for quick transitions and costume changes.
Speaking of costumes, which can make or break a theatrical performance, Puffs absolutely delivered. The classic yellow and black Hufflepuff robes were a given, but the smaller details really stood out to me. The Golden Trio’s cozy, vintage English vibes were perfectly replicated, like in the later Harry Potter films, with their knit jackets and brown pants. And then there was the Mister Voldy, serving pure drama in leather pants, high-heeled boots, and full-on drag queen makeup. It was ridiculous in the best way possible.
The actors all did an incredible job, some of them playing more than one character. My favorite thing about the play, however, was the frequent interaction between the characters and the audience. Cedric Diggory, everyone’s favorite Puff, strolled into the crowd handing out autographs, and the narrator often made remarks at the crowd and even passed a box of “Puffs” tissues to an audience member (haha get it). At times, the ensemble would leave the stage entirely to watch the action unfold from the audience. It was this kind of interaction that made the whole experience feel immersive—like we weren’t just watching a play, but part of the magic.
If you missed Puffs, don’t get too much FOMO (only just a little bit), there are tons of pictures on their website to look back on the production. If you do have a chance to see Puffs, wherever it is next played, I highly highly recommend it.
