- Student Preview on Thursday, March 9th at7PM
- Public Invited for three shows: Friday, March 10th at 7PM,Saturday, March 11th at 7PM, and Sunday, March 12th at 2PM.
- Tickets are $15 for Adults and $10 for students. Reserved tickets are available on-line at www.rodrama.com and can also be purchased at the door.
The Royal Oak High School Drama Club will perform Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, written by Matt Cox, from March 10 – 12, 2023, in Royal Oak High School’s Kimball Auditorium. 2016 ROHS graduate Matt Harmon will direct the production.
Puffs is the story of Wayne Hopkins (played by Churchill Senior Roan McGee): a regular kid who finds out he’s a wizard and goes to school in England, where he makes two best friends and has adventures. However, Wayne and his friends—Oliver Rivers (played by ROHS Senior Allison Wilson) and Megan Jones (played by ROHS Senior Ella Schwartz)—are sorted as Puffs, a group of students who simply aren't destined to save the world. Narrated by ROHS Junior Charlotte Murray, Puffs features incredible laughs and a lot of heart. According to Harmon, the production is a hilarious parody of A Certain School featuring Wizards, Magic, and Other Tomfoolery. It has something for everyone, not just fans of A Certain Book Series.
"Royal Oak Drama Club has taken on some spectacular shows since I became Director,” stated Director Matt Harmon, who took the creative helm in 2021. “However, Puffs has afforded us the one-of-a-kind opportunity to highlight our comedic chops, dramatic heart, and technical skills during one production. It has been an absolute blast working on this show, and I'm so psyched for everyone to see it and support these students."
Playwright Matt Cox explained that he came up with the idea for Puffs on a subway ride one night. He thought, "it would've been really terrible to be another student at that particular magic school whenever Harry was there." He thought about that ride home and began to piece together other ideas to create a story focused on characters who were never destined to “save the world."
"I have always been drawn to the "parody" genre,” stated Harmon. “The Puffs playwright Matt Cox has taken a well-known story and made it both engaging for die-hard fans and approachable to the masses who may not know the source material. I implore you, do not sit this one out thinking you won't enjoy it if you don't know every reference. There is plenty for you to laugh and tear up at."
Puffs include a cast and crew of over 70 Royal Oak High School students, from actors to student leaders working backstage on stage management, stage crew, set construction, lights, sound, props, and publicity. Visit www.rodrama.com for a complete company list. ROHS Senior Maddie Hanes serves as Stage Manager for the production. The Royal Oak Drama Club Assistant Director is Angela Lundy.
Puffs (Two Act for Young Wizards) is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French.
In the photo:
Wayne Hopkins (left) Senior Roan McGee
Megan Jones (middle) Senior Ella Schwartz
Oliver Rivers (right) Senior Allison Wilson