Harry Potter and the Cursed Child @ HOLLYWOOD PANTAGES

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Jonas Schwartz – Theatermania

The play’s real star is Jamie Harrison and his eye-deceiving illusions. Even in the condensed version, actors flip upside down, get sucked through tiny boxes, change costumes (by Katrina Lindsay) in a snap, and shoot fire from their wands. Read more…

Travis Michael Holder – TicketHoldersLA

The star has to be Jamie Harrision’s worldclass and inexplicable illusions, the dazzling barrage of Copperfield-esque magic impossible to imagine could be happening live in real time. From flying tricks that would make Peter Pan stop in mid-flight to fire and smoke effects and a somewhat disquieting wavering device that makes the entire stage wobble whenever characters time travel—topped by fantastic onstage transformations that zap actors into suddenly becoming other actors before our very eyes—the LA engagement of the Tony and Olivier-honored masterpiece is an event not to be missed. Read more…

Patrick Chavis – LA Theatre Bites Podcast

7.3 out of 10! Average Show! Listen more…

Edward Hong – The Nerds Of Color

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child finally arrives in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre and for what I watched at opening night yesterday, the jaw-dropping wonder of seeing the incredible special effects and experiencing the fantastic soundtrack by Imogen Heap cover up the over-the-top forced acting from most of the main cast and the rushed blitz pace of the first act. Read more…

Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix
If there’s anything “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” has in spades it’s magic, plus a slew of familiar Harry Potter tropes and characters in a new story focused on Harry’s and Draco Malfoy’s sons employing time travel to save Cedric Diggory, who had died during the Triwizard Tournament in the fourth book of J.K. Rowling’s series. Read more…