Couponing with Rachel

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience
now playing at Crocker Park ~ Westlake, Ohio

My 12 year old son is a Harry Potter fan… a HUGE Harry Potter fan! He’s read all the books, watched the movies so many times he can quote them, and wears his Hufflepuff coat everywhere he goes. When I hear “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience,” was coming to town, I just KNEW we had to check it out.

Last week my family and I spent a couple hours enjoying the holiday festivities at Crocker Park then headed to the show. “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience”, is a two-man theatrical spoof of J.K. Rowling’s seven fantasy novels about a boy wizard.  This 70-minute hit show is a touring production of the London West End and it’s selling out dates nationwide. Potted Potter, which opened last weekend at Crocker Park’s Market Square, runs through the holidays until January 6.

One of the things I love most about the show is that while the jokes and fun surprises will be best enjoyed by those who know the books and movies, it’s written and performed in such a way that even those not up on the Potter stories will still have a lot of fun. Seriously, my 8-year old has never seen a movie or picked up a HP book before and he couldn’t stop laughing! My oldest and very serious son, who rarely cracks a smile, was not grinning ear to ear but laughing out loud at every punchline.

British actors, James Percy and Jesse Briton do a great job bringing humor and laughs to this play. In the show, Percy says he’s a Harry Potter expert so he stars as the boy wizard himself while his partner Briton, who knows nothing about the books, single-handedly plays all of the other parts, including Ron, Hermione, Professor Snipe, Remus Lupin, and many more with the help of wild wigs and other costume accessories.

James Percy (left) and Jesse Briton perform in “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience”  {Seabright Production} ~ Photo credit: April Ely

Using very few props, the two actors give us a fast paced, but pretty accurate account of all of the books. James narrates the story all while Jesse tries to keep up complete with costume and hilarious voice changes. The show even includes some wacky pop cultural references to politics, 50 Shades of Grey, Les Miserables, Hamilton, and more. No worries, it’s all PG and definitely family friendly.

One of the funniest parts of the show is when the audience is invited to play Quidditch with a big plastic globe that serves as the Quaffle. The best seats to participate in this are in the lower 8 rows or so but the venue is a great size so everyone may be able to get in on the action. Two kid volunteers are even asked to help by being the Keepers while the game plays on.

Potted Potter is a hoot and you can expect a  little bit of everything, including a card trick, a little fun with a squirt gun, and broomsticks and even a fire breathing dragon! It also has a creative video segment that adds to the fun.

If you are looking for a fun night out with the girls, a date night with your honey or even a family night out that is full of laughs, Potted Potter is for you. From age six to Dumbledore (now that is old) everyone will LOVE Potted Potter! These accomplished performers will amaze you and keep you laughing from beginning to end.

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience, is through January 6, 2018, at Market Square Building, 239 Market Street in Crocker Park, Westlake OH. Tickets may be purchased online at www.pottedpotter.com or by phone by calling 888-729-4718.