Mischief Managed at Segerstrom Center: Harry Potter Comes to OC

Ashley Ryan
16 minutes ago
6 min read

Beloved Harry Potter sequel makes the jump from the page to the stage with its Orange County premiere of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ this summer alongside special initiatives that aim to bring the ‘magical’ community together.

*Magic spells are brought to life with the help of special effects. Photo courtesy of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"/Evan Zimmerman*

Few worlds have captivated pop culture like that of Harry Potter. Beyond the books and films, the immersive wizarding world is highlighted in video and board games, treats like butterbeer or chocolate frogs, merchandise galore and Universal Studios theme park rides. Simple black robes and wands require only a small pop of color to make a popular Halloween costume, and Quidditch leagues have popped up on college campuses. For many, Hogwarts houses are as much a part of identity as zodiac signs or Myers-Briggs personality types, and words or phrases like “muggle” and “10 points to Gryffindor” have become part of a shared cultural vocabulary.

Now, the story that has enchanted audiences around the world is bringing its thrilling conclusion to Orange County. “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” takes place nearly 20 years after the final installment of the original series and the book was written as a script, basically ensuring its eventual jump to Broadway (and, in honoring its British ties, London’s West End, where it debuted a decade ago).

The play picks up where the final book left off, with Harry and Ginny seeing their son, Albus, off to Hogwarts for the first time. After befriending fellow student Scorpius Malfoy, the duo use a Time-Turner to slip into an alternate timeline and attempt to rewrite wizard history. While the North American touring production set out nearly two years ago and has graced cities like Chicago, Denver, Boston, Atlanta and our neighboring Los Angeles, the forthcoming July 11-25 run at Segerstrom Center for the Arts marks its Orange County premiere.

*Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter spark an unlikely friendship that kickstarts the action in the play. Photo courtesy of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"/Manuel Harlan*

The Story Continues

The true magic of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” lies in the collaborative talent of the production team. The book and, in turn, the script were both written by playwright Jack Thorne, though Potter mastermind J.K. Rowling and director John Tiffany helped develop the story.

“It was amazing to sit with Jo and John and say, ‘What do you think Harry will be doing now? What will Hermione be doing?’ ” Thorne said. “Harry is a very capable wizard, but he never really addressed his childhood trauma. Albus has found the burden of being Harry’s son very difficult, and Harry doesn’t quite know how to help him. I was interested in the idea of what it’s like to go to Hogwarts when you don’t fit in, because I was someone who struggled in school. I’m drawn to outsiders, and so are Jo and John.”

Creating the story for the stage has allowed the team to bring the spellbinding wizarding world to life in new ways, immersing audiences in a story they’re already deeply devoted to and exploring new ways of unveiling Rowling’s magical universe. At the same time, the show does what each of the Harry Potter books did, revealing that the deepest spells are those cast by love and family.

“I’ve always had the sense that Hogwarts was a world that belonged on stage,” Tiffany said. “I could see suitcases floating and cloaks whirling, arches and columns that could become trees in the forbidden forest. In some ways, a play is more exciting than a book or movie because it’s happening in front of you .… We have spells flying across the stage, but I wanted the show to feel very rooted for the audience. What’s amazing about the fantasy world of Harry Potter is that it allows you to explore the human experience in a magnified and dramatic way.”

In addition to costumes, lighting and an original score composed by English musician Imogen Heap, the play brings captivating mystical illusions to the stage. These effects were designed through collaboration, with the heads of each department ideating together to create moments that feel like true magic.

“When I’m working with John (Tiffany) and (movement director) Steven Hoggett, I always try to write the impossible, because I know they will set out to achieve it,” Thorne said. “Things happen in front of you, and you will not be able to understand how they happened. People disappear and other people appear in their place; brilliant illusions unfold. John and I wanted to harness fantastical elements you wouldn’t assume would be part of a Harry Potter story to show people what live theater is capable of.”

Without this sense of collaboration, the show would not be what it is. The creators spent months building the show in London and then New York, with its wondrous nature requiring a lot of adjustments to the theaters themselves to make it work. The struggles faced made the team think that a touring run wouldn’t be possible, but by putting their heads together and condensing the production from its original two-act format with a whopping five-hour run time, they were able to tackle the technical side of things and take that magic on the road.

Even with the necessary changes to transform “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” into a touring act, the show entices audiences of all ages. Those who grew up with the series now have children of their own who get to experience the magic along with them, further embracing the family ties that have always been woven throughout the story. For Thorne, this has been a big part of the thrill of it all. “Seeing the show through my son’s eyes changed my experience of it, and I’m still discovering things as I grow older with it,” he said. “Just being part of this universe is a tremendous honor.”

In the decade since its London debut, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” has won more than 60 major theatrical awards, including Best Play at the Tony Awards in 2018.

*The cast performs choreography with their wands during the show. Photo courtesy of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"/Manuel Harlan*

Magical Adventures in Costa Mesa

It’s not hard to pinpoint what has made this series such a phenomenon. The wizarding world itself is enchanting and offers a sense of magical escapism, but it’s more than that. Those who begin to absorb the books or films as children grow up alongside the characters and build emotional connections to not just the heroes but to the universe as a whole. Prominent themes register with those young and old while the creation of the famed Hogwarts houses – Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin – has provided readers and viewers with a way to see themselves in the stories. All of this paired with the full cultural takeover the series has experienced has created a community unlike any other.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is embracing this sense of community by providing other ways for locals to immerse themselves during the play’s Orange County run. On July 15 starting at 5:30 p.m., the complex will host “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” House Pride Night at the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. Open to both those attending the play that night and the general public, this free event encourages visitors to show pride for their Hogwarts house by donning robes and house crests to celebrate. Interest has already built, with the wand choreography class filling up early.

During the event, if you didn’t secure a place in the class, you’ll still be able to put your name into the Goblet of Fire for the chance to win prizes and participate in voting for your favorite pieces in the fan art competition. All attendees will also receive a one-of-a-kind poster celebrating the show’s arrival in O.C.

But the fan event isn’t the only way to embrace this magical show. The theater is partnering with Make-a-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire to collect new children’s books, Lego sets and plush toys during the performances. Those in attendance can visit Platform 9¾ on the plaza and orchestra terraces to place their donations in special bins.

In addition, Darkroom Restaurant and Wine Bar in Santa Ana is collaborating with the center to create a Harry Potter-inspired dining experience. From July 15-17 and July 22-24, folks can enjoy a four-course menu inspired by the series with dishes like Every Flavor Tuna Crudo and Hagrid’s smashed birthday cake for dessert along with pasta and short rib. The price is $126.56 per person, with a wine pairing for an additional $60 ($40 for non-alcoholic pairing).

With magical experiences awaiting on the stage and beyond, there’s no doubt that this is one of Orange County’s most immersive Potter experiences yet.