“…Puffs is full of heart. We set out to create a play, not just a parody. The characters are all fully realized. They go through difficult journeys. They deal with death, personal identity, relationships, and what it means to feel insignificant in the world at large. There may in fact be some tears in the end. Maybe. You don’t have to tell anyone if there are.” – Matt Cox, Playwright
By Natasha O’Hara
The Raclin School of Arts Theatre and Dance Company has brought an incredible world for wizards to campus! Now, as someone who grew up attending Harry Potter conventions but is not a fan of J.K. Rowling, Matt Cox’s 2015 play Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, resonates with me on a deeply personal level. Being that I am in the cast (as the Narrator), I am biased, however, the heart of this comedy captures the essence of fandom, friendship, and the magic of storytelling in a way that feels both nostalgic and exceptionally relatable.
Audience members are transported to the 1990s, a decade filled with, platform sneakers, boy bands, and the boom of the digital age. Something often overlooked about Harry Potter is how deeply rooted the series is into the last decade of the 20th century. Puffs joyfully celebrates the glory of the ’90s, from the infectious tunes of popular boy bands, to the heartwarming tale of friendship with Free Willy. It’s a nostalgic nod to a time when the biggest dilemma was choosing between VHS tapes or CDs. Puffs not only captures the essence of this iconic decade but also reminds us of the magic of our youth and the power of ’90s pop culture.
When you step into Northside’s Upstage theatre, you are stepping into a world where magic meets the mundane. Directed by Justin Amellio-Ashbrook, Puffs follows Wayne Hopkins (played by Senior Bobby Simons), just your average adolescent boy—until he discovers… he’s a wizard! Join him on a hilarious journey to a school in England, where he befriends two companions, Oliver Rivers (played by Sophomore Taavi Crumbley) and Megan Jones (played by senior Shanya Osburn), and embarks on adventures that will have the crowd laughing and cheering along. But here’s the twist: Wayne is no Brave or Smart or Snake; he’s a Puff!
Come along with Wayne and his fellow Puffs as they navigate the ups and downs of wizarding school and the challenges of growing up, all while trying to steer clear of evil wizards and their dastardly schemes. It’s a tale of friendship, bravery, and finding the magic within yourself, even if you’re just a regular kid from small town USA.
PUFFS opens Friday, April 12th at 7:30 pm, then runs for the next two weekends. April 12th, 13th, 19th, and Saturday April 20th all start at 7:30 pm. The Sunday matinees on April 14th and 21st start at 2pm. Puffs is for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY!!! Admission is free, but we highly encourage those who can to donate a non-perishable food item per person to help support the IUSB Titans Feeding Titans Food Pantry.
Parking to the Upstage Theatre is located in the lower parking lot on the east side of campus, on the corner of Northside Blvd and 20th street. If you have any questions please contact the IUSB Box Office at 574-520-4203
The Deadline 