Puffs (Two Act Edition for Young Wizards)
at South County High School

Reviewed on November 20, 2021

Jada Paul
Thomas A. Edison High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Whoosh! Zip! Ding! Gather around to hear the magical tale of wizards, wands, heroes, villains, and rap battles? South County High School's production of "Puffs (Two Act Edition for Young Wizards)" gave an enchanting performance full of potions, school dances, and life lessons while keeping everyone on their toes and roaring with laughter.

Puffs tells the story of a young boy, Wayne Hopkins (played by Zach Patel), who unexpectedly finds out that he's a wizard! Sounds familiar, right? Wrong! After entering Wizard School, Wayne soon learns he's a Puff and meets the intricate and differing characters that join the group. As the group tries to find their way through Wizard School, they struggle with fitting in, getting good Wizard grades, and making their names known in the world, all the while learning the importance of friendship, self-value, and love.

The Narrator, played by Noah Pflugrath, kept the complex story in motion all the while improving and immersing the audience. His lines were said with ease and smoothness as he successfully delivered them with comedic timing as if they were second nature. Every entrance and exit Pflugrath took was full of character choices and well-executed, and his character was not lost throughout the story.

Talia Williams, who played Leanne, incredibly held such a role in the show. Although she was not a lead, without her presence, a true lesson would not have been learned. Her character choices, delivery of lines, and her bubbly personality made Leanne a fan favorite, and she held the attention of everyone when she spoke.

Rae Eppard truly displayed a true definition of contrast as both of her characters were complete opposites of each other. As Cedric, Eppard performed as a confident, optimistic leader who was determined to bring the Puffs to third place. As Mr. Voldy, Eppard made the audience explode with laughter due to her delivery of lines and exquisite dance moves, and physicality.

The entire Puffs ensemble had not only great chemistry but detail. No matter the stage time or the lines, every single character had their own individuality and their own presence on stage. They worked fantastically together, and their true friendship was shown through the show.

This show would not be a show without the amazing light and sound crews. Each scene had its own light cue and sound cue. The intentional lighting switches- one scene specifically changed from the original warm yellow hue to a bluish-white hue- and the on-point sound effects and music cues made this show so successful. Sarah Khalil, head of lighting, and the sound crew, led by Steven Gigrich, Phil Gigrich, and Sarah Khalil were outstanding throughout the entire performance, and without them, this show wouldn't have been as incredible as it was.

South County's performance of Puffs truly was an outstanding show. Each person involved made this show as wonderful as it was, and their connection and friendship were shone throughout. Bravo!

Campbell Wood
Thomas A. Edison High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

In a typical story, the side characters are often loveable additions to the plot who tend to the main character's storyline. Although when put into the spotlight, these side characters contain more depth than you think. South County High School helped these characters shine through their rendition of the humorous parody, Puffs (Two Act for Young Wizards).

Written by Matt Cox, Puffs is a comedic parody of a beloved book series about a wizarding school, from the perspectives of the background characters. It first premiered at the People's Improv Theater on December 3, 2015. Puffs focuses on the side characters of the wizarding tale and displays how these characters lived their lives concerning the main character of the primary story.

Every story is driven by an outsider's perspective, known as the Narrator. Noah Pflugrath executed this daunting task of pushing the story along exceedingly well. His charm and energy never drew an eye away, and his clever improv matched with his endearing audience engagement. Like Pflugrath, Rae Eppard, who played both Cedric and Mr. Voldy, displayed consistent charm and elegance to the beloved characters. Eppard played the charismatic Cedric, as well as the evil yet goofy villain, Mr. Voldy. Eppard demonstrated their ability of consistency well throughout both acts, never failing to bring out Cedric's charm and energy, and remaining consistent in Mr. Voldy's challenging yet memorable and ridiculous speech.

While individual members of the cast stood out, it was the cast as a whole that brought the whole show together. There was never a moment in the show where one cast member wasn't in sync with another. Each actor was in tune with one another when group lines were read, especially in the repeated "We are not a threat, please be our friend." When speaking characters had their spotlighted moments, actors in the background displayed consistent individuality and attention to detail. This was especially evident in scenes with the Puffs, when actors like Javier Quiroz, who played J. Finch Fletchley, increased his physicality when he was in the background to show his character reacting.

Tech was what ultimately solidified the show. The sound of the show, done by Steven Gigrich, Phil Gigrich, and Sarah Khalil, was flawless, there was never a missed cue or a bad mic. Every actor was heard clearly, and not one actor went without a mic, which was very impressive for a high school production. The sound cues matched with the lighting aspects, done also by Sarah Khalil, and were phenomenal. Pairing the wand noises with the lights made it seem like the actors were doing real magic. Even in hectic scenes like the final battle, a lighting cue was never missed along with the sound cues. Their creative use of the house lights to display spells was admirable, creating a strong introduction to what was to come.

South County's Puffs parodied a certain beloved book series unbelievably well with its unmatched consistency and cast chemistry. Forget Potter, the true heroes of the story are the treasured and friendly failures, Puffs.

Sara Kaufman
Justice High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Stories tend to favor characters who are stereotypically brave, intelligent, or cunning, but rarely mention the tales of those who value kindness. We all know Potter's story, but South County High School's "Puffs (Two Act for Young Wizards)" followed the narrative of the nameless classmates who fought bravely by his side.

Written by Matt Cox, "Puffs" offers a new perspective on the beloved Harry Potter series by focusing on the awkwardly likable students in the neglected Hufflepuff house. Instead of retelling the story from the position of Harry and his two friends, "Puffs" highlights the viewpoint of Wayne, Oliver, and Megan as they receive their magical education while being put at a disadvantage for their Puff placement.

Zach Patel, who portrayed, depicted his character's endearing naivety with ease, allowing the audience to fall in love with his story. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Patel's use of quirky physicality and impeccable comedic timing made for an unforgettable performance.

Commanding the show with his strong stage presence was Noah Pflugrath as the omnipresent narrator. Pflugrath successfully managed the difficult task of portraying a character who did not directly interact with his castmates with a sense of professionalism. Engaging flawlessly with both the story and the audience, Pflugrath guided us into the magical world of the production.

Working as a well-oiled machine, the ensemble of Puffs highlighted the importance of friendship. Though the ensemble clearly served as a collective unit through their many lines in unison and interactions, each actor developed a distinct character, allowing for a dynamic performance. Whether it was Talia Williams' (Leanne) lively attitude or Emma Skog's (Hannah) deadpan humor, the audience was enamored by the wide range of characters who worked cohesively to tell the story.

The technical elements of this production drew the audience into the mystical world of the play. All lighting and sound were done flawlessly, allowing the audience to really believe the magic that was occurring on stage. Seamless lighting and sound cues were managed by Dominique Monette and executed by Sarah Khalil, Steven Gigrich, and Phil Gigrich. The use of different lighting colors was creative and matched the tone of the characters: the Narrator was lit in a cold blue, the evil "snakes" were highlighted by a green aura, and the welcoming Puffs were highlighted with warm hues. Additionally, distinct sound effects allowed the audience to understand the otherwise confusing rules of the magical world, such as a buzzing when house points were lost.

Through amazing acting and strong technical elements, South County High School's production of "Puffs (Two Act for Young Wizards)" taught the audience that though it may not seem like it, you are the hero in your own story.

Alexander_"Xander" Tilock
Justice High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Fairfax/Alexandria)

In their production of "Puffs (Two Act for Young Wizards)," South County High School vivaciously highlighted the magic of live theatre that audiences have sorely missed. From consistent references to a certain wizard with a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead, to a masterful conducting of emotions through storytelling, and even a rapping sports coach, their team engaged the audience throughout the play. Puffs tells the seven-year story of Wayne (Zach Patel), Megan (Kyra Charters), Oliver (Alex Skog), and their crew of wizarding misfits. The plot runs parallel to the aforementioned special wizard, Harry (Madeleine Madamba), who was often seen hilariously narrating his own story.

Stage Manager Dominique Monette kept the show at a solid pace, with creative lighting by Sarah Khalil contributing to an immersive experience. In a world full of many characters, technical elements helped with identification and recognition. For example, Mr. Voldy (Rae Eppard) was lit with a green spotlight which conveyed a villainous yet comedic aura. Props by Emma Skog (who also played Hannah) were essential. Every wizard was equipped with an illuminating wand and holster, which played a key role in several magical duels. The technical work was especially outstanding given that all characters were masked, yet the efforts of the lighting and sound teams made masks an unobtrusive aspect in the world of the play.

Storytelling was at the core of Puffs. The Narrator (Noah Pflugrath) broke the fourth wall with ease, displaying grand confidence and showmanship, even throwing candy into the audience. Comedy was also key, as several plot lines were present. After all, magic is complicated. Strong comedic timing was perfect and alleviated the complexities of the wizard world. Zach Patel and Alex Skog's bond was evident as well, subtly illustrating the theme of friendship. This theme added significant weight to the story, offering a clear bond between the Puffs. Additionally, Rae Eppard commanded the stage as both Cedric and Mr. Voldy. Stage presence and high energy were abundant amongst the entire cast. Seamus/Zach Smith/Viktor/Fat Friar/Blondo Malfoy (all played by Zach Smith), Sally Perks/Bippy (both played Lilly Bottlick), and Leanne (Talia Williams) among others were remarkable.

South County's cast and crew brought about a brilliant return to live theatre. A play that was originally three hours long in its 2015 Off-Broadway production moved far more quickly and captured the magic of the wizarding world. Whether it was onstage, offstage, or both, the magic of live theatre was at its finest.

KD Bectel
Alexandria City High School
Submitted for publication to Lorton Valley Star

In a magically hilarious, fast paced, gripping show, we got to see the epic highs and lows of magic high school this weekend at South County High School's performance of "Puffs (Two Act for Young Wizards)" by Matt Cox.

Puffs takes place during seven years at a certain Wizard School, where a certain boy wizard accomplished great feats, but this isn't about him. Puffs follows the Puff house, where all the rest of the students go when they aren't destined to save the world.

Noah Pflugrath opened the show as the Narrator and immediately captured the audience's attention, quite literally casting a spell over us. Zach Patel showed an immense emotional range on stage as the main character, Wayne Hopkins, in Puffs. Patel was totally embodying the character and was clearly very comfortable on stage, especially in his final scene at the train station. As Cedric in act one, Rae Eppard was a focal point in the show from the character's spectacular entrance where Cedric ran down the aisles, high fiving audience members, to (SPOILERS!) his death. Seeing Eppard return in act two as Mr. Voldy was hysterical and continued to show Eppard's ability to engage the audience with their performance. Each ensemble character was unique and memorable, particularly Talia Williams as Leanne and Javier Quiroz as J. Finch Fletchley, who each received audible gasps at their deaths, and Madeleine Madamba as Harry, who never failed to make the audience chuckle.

The stage management, lights, and sound cues were next level in this play. Almost every light and sound cue was seamless, and much work must've been put into this show's extensive calling script. Stage Manager Dominique Monette had her work cut out for her and did not disappoint with the production. From epic battle scenes, to gags and dances, everything ran smoothly together. Almost every actor had a mic, and the sound crew balanced volume levels expertly. Lighting choices, such as the green spotlight on Mr. Voldy and cooler lights in certain scenes, complimented each scene and helped communicate the tone and mood.

This show would not be complete without the HUNDREDS of props. Prop lead Emma Skog coordinated 215 props, 141 of which were handmade for Puffs. To keep track of everything they had three crew members dedicated to props and six tables just for props backstage. The attention to detail in each prop was phenomenal. Props like the monster book featured student made art that really popped on stage. Each wand was rigged with a modified tea light which made the wand-tips actually glow for spells!

This performance made anyone's Potterhead heart sing with delight and weep with nostalgia. South County High School's theatre department had the audience totally engaged and rolling with laughter from start to finish.

Natalie Laclede
Thomas A. Edison High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

An eleven-year-old boy, about to attend his first year at the school of witchcraft and wizardry! Who could it be but Mr. Har- Wayne Hopkins?

In "Puffs (Two Act for Young Wizards)," a perfectly timed comedic spoof written by Matt Cox, Wayne travels to England where he is sorted into a house, and he finds out what it truly means to be a Puff. Getting through seven years of school in 110 minutes, we follow Wayne and his friends as he is overshadowed by the prodigy, Potter, while still ever searching for his true character among the stereotypes of magical students.

Incredible performances from the students of South County High School encapsulated the spirit of each of the characters, including that of Zach Patel who played the beloved Wayne Hopkins as he grew throughout the seven years we see. Energetic, and riveting to see in character, Zach took us through the eventful journey, accompanied by Kyra Charters playing Megan Jones whose acting never failed to seem genuine. Characters you could never peel your eyes from were those of Cedric and Mr. Voldy, both performed incredibly by Rae Eppard, who commanded the stage with impervious comedic timing. Even small one-time roles such as Professor Lanny played by Jordyn Packer or Zach Smith played by, who could have guessed, Zach Smith, were well thought out and had the audience engaged in their every word.

The students of South County High school had the challenge of creating magic with the technology we normal people have access to. Lights of every color flashed about the stage to create the effect of spells being cast, ingeniously designed by Sarah Khalil. Something this play had no shortage of was props, and you could clearly see the dedication put into making the 215 of them. Objects, designed by Emma Skog, flew about the stage, in and out of doors, over top of the set, and tossed to our helpful and comedic guide throughout this journey, the Narrator, played by Noah Pflugrath.

Even through heartbreaking, and especially humorous scenes, Puffs was portrayed with outstanding professionalism. Although it might seem like Puffs are just the misfits of all the wizards, they have their own story too, one just as exciting and important as that of a certain 'chosen one.'

Diego Salazar Jara
Justice High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Welcome fellow wizards to the famous school of magic for the Smarts, Braves, Snakes, and the Puffs. South County High School's production of "Puffs (Two Act Edition for Young Wizards)" shows what it means to be a part of the Puff house and the joy of their famous Puff "Hi!!!". "Puffs (Two Act Edition for Young Wizards)", written by Matt Cox, first premiered in 2015 and has run off-Broadway until 2019.

"Puffs" tells the story of a lesser-known orphan, Wayne Hopkins, and his friends, Megan and Oliver, as they grow to become great wizards while living in the shadows of the other houses. In their seven-year adventure, Wayne and friends learn how to cast spells, go to Halloween dances, and try to get third place at the House Cup, all while discovering what makes a Puff special.

Noah Pflugrath, who played Narrator, was able to set the mood and encapsulate the magical tones of the show from the very start as the story's narrator. Although playing a character without much to play from, Pflugrath was able to personalize his character and fit right in with the others. Zach Patel, who played Wayne Hopkins, had a fascinating interpretation of Wayne and created many dynamic relationships with the other actors. Patel was also able to demonstrate Wayne's character growth and range of emotion in the show, going from an enthusiastic teen wizard to a more somber attitude, and finally to a grown proud Puff.

Another memorable character was Cedric/Mr.Voldy, played by Rae Eppard. Between the inspirational and joyful Cedric, along with the evil but comedic Mr.Voldy, Eppard was able to portray two different but equally engaging characters with many memorable moments. The ensemble as a whole was united and had great energy throughout. Between the unique and fun members of the Puff House to the talented and synchronous movements of the Bathroom Ballerinas, each actor worked together to create a powerful and magical world, showing how even an underdog can be a hero.

The technical aspects of the show were well executed and each helped set the magical tones of the show. The lighting, led by Sarah Khalil, was used to create many of the magical spells as well as setting the atmosphere of each moment. This was shown with the use of quick light cues when casting a specific spell as well as the use of green light for Mr. Voldy to convey the evil character. The transitions from brighter yellow hues to darker blues also visualized the growth in the story, making each moment more impactful. Another aspect that helped create the magical tones were the unique and innovative props, led by Emma Skog. Between the cup of fire, Leanne's teddy bear, and the grand dragon egg, each prop was creatively made and added depth to the characters and story.

As a whole, South County's talented cast and crew worked together to create an inspirational and magical piece that redefines what makes a hero. Being a Puff is something any wizard should be proud of, so remember to give a confident Puff's "Hi!!!" when watching South County High School's "Puffs (Two Act Edition for Young Wizards)".