Theatre Review: 'Puffs' at Amity High School

WOODBRIDGE - The students in the drama department at Amity High School are presenting a charming and fun production of “Puffs” this weekend. This show, as have all of the productions for the last 15 years, is made possible by a generous donation from Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation. Rob Kennedy is the director/producer of the show.

“Puffs” (“Hi!”) is subtitled “Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School for Magic and Magic,” so you get the idea. The play was written by Matt Cox and is set at a “certain” school of magic and magic during the years of 1991-1998.

The writing of the play began to grow on me on a second viewing, perhaps because I had a better understanding of where it was going. I am sure that I still missed a long list of Harry Potter references, but it probably doesn’t matter. There are definitely some cute and funny parodies of the original books/movies, as well as a bit of sly commentary on the appropriateness of the darker aspects for young readers, and a pretty satisfying ending.

The members of the cast all perform while wearing clear plastic masks, which only really affected the sound production when they yelled their lines. Since the students performed last year’s play with no audience, the students were clearly willing to do what it took to perform in front of an appreciative audience in the Brady Center.

McKenna Maxwell is delightfully British in the role of the narrator. Jacob Ebert is a delight in the role of the protagonist Wayne Hopkins. Andrew Gilbride as Oliver and Audrey Jurzyk as Megan are the other two members of the trio of Puffs budding wizards.

The rest of the cast play the rest of the host of characters at the magic school. Michael Perrone covers Ernie Mac, A Certain Potions Teacher, Prof. Turban, Real Mr. Moody (with one eye!,) and others, but he shines as Zach Smith, who regales his classmates with a wrap up of the musical “Anastasia,” which just happened to be this year’s spring musical. It was a riot for the many audience members who had attended the outdoor performance of “Anastasia.” The students in the audience support their classmates enthusiastically, as they always do.

Lily Parady changed costumes frequently to play Hannah, First Headmaster, Prof. McG, Xavia Jones, Ms. Babble and others. Spencer Fiske was silly as J. Finch Fletchley, Uncle Dave, A Far Friar, Viktor and others. Zola Kneeland played Leanne, Ginny, Helga and Frenchy.

Macie Cox appeared as Sally Perks, Hermeoone #1, Blondo Malfoy, Rita Scooter, the house elf Bippy and others. Nolan Young appeared often as the handsome Cedric and the scary Mr. Voldy, once from the middle of the audience.

It was a treat to see the talented Grace Kennedy back on her high school stage, this time as Susie Bones, Colin, Ric Gryff, Myrtle and someone named Harry.

As always, the technical aspects are of the highest quality. The set designed by Madeleine Bundy, including several school doors to close loudly, is magically lit by lighting designed by Dan Hassenmayer. It includes some shifting shapes and a very effective magic mirror. Catie Clarke was in charge of the clever props design; I loved the take on the sorting hat. Judy Primavera of Jamie Hulley helped out on the paint crew. Amity does not mess around when it comes to the quality of all aspects of their performances, even with pandemic restrictions.

The show runs almost two hours without intermission and masks must be worn throughout the performance. Concessions are offered by PACT in the school cafeteria. Remaining performances are Saturday and Sunday. Coming in early April is the Amity production of “Mamma Mia!”