We never seem to get enough of the “boy who lived,” and the M&W Theater Group has crafted a masterpiece that will enthrall every Potter fan. This is the third time this amazing work has been run since it began last year at HFF18, and the cast is perfectly suited to make the tradition continue.
Incredibly well-written by Kena Worthen (who also portrays Rose Granger-Weasley), Nineteen Years Later is an alternative (and more believable) sequel to the original, and is everything that “Cursed Child” is not. If you’re like most Potter fans, you detest the stupidity of the “Cursed Child.” Rest assured you now have a story that works, is much more plausible, and will keep you cheering as the legend lives on.
The only drawback is its length (nearly two and a half hours), but if you can survive Avengers: Endgame, then this one is a piece of cake. We can promise you that you will be so engaged in this one that the time will fly by and you will never be bored.
The lighting design of Greg Crafts perfectly fits with the sound design of Graydon Schlichter, and the show is well controlled by stage manager Lizzy Hayes.
The cast was led by Frankie Zabilka (Albus Potter), Ryan Lefton (Scorpius Malfoy), Andrew Thomas (Harry Potter), Michael Lutheran (Ron Weasley), Kyle Maraglio (Draco Malfoy), Michelle Grey (Hermione Granger-Weasley) and Justin Eliot Huff (Neville Longbottom), who brought their individual characters to life as if they’d been portraying them for their entire careers. The villains were admirably portrayed by Erin Astin (Keres McGuffin) and Tianna Cohen (Cecilia Sinclaire), who almost made you love them as much as the good guys. Zion Bell (James Potter) Malissa Marlow (Ginny Potter/McGonagall), Tiffany Bobbs (Stella Towie), Ayla Dumont (Lily Potter), Rob Hixon (Frank Longbottom), Bella Phillips (Julianne Rycroft), Jade Rosenberg (Kaylin Blackwell), and Rachel Strysik (Kendall Betcher) rounded out the magnificent cast.
Without giving away the story, suffice it to say that this one is truly worthy of the JK Rowling “Stamp of Approval,” and has great inside jokes to anyone who has seen all of the movies. They even entertain us with a great game of trivia during the intermission. This one is worthy of multiple viewings. Unfortunately, the final performance is TODAY at 5:30 p.m., so grab your tickets before they sell out. You can purchase a ticket here.