Puffs
at Broad Run High School

Reviewed on November 20, 2021

Diana Altenhof
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

An ancient castle stands before you. Behind you, the plain and mundane dredges of England. As you step into the hallowed halls of your brand-new school, eager to immerse yourself in the ways of wizardry, you're greeted by… a talking hat? Which claims you're a loser, loner, and a... badger? It might seem odd, but don't be dismayed! Broad Run High School shows that being in last place isn't so bad after all when they work their magic in "Puffs."

"Puffs" premiered in 2015 as playwright Matt Cox's comedic tribute to the Harry Potter franchise, uplifting its yellow-clad heroes that were "never destined to save the world." Cox removed all trademarked properties and names and gave them clever substitutes to avoid copyright infringement while keeping the source material rich and intact. Hence, the overlooked "Puffs" house gives a fresh lens to Potter's seven years at a "certain school," which even the most unacquainted viewer could name.

"Puffs" follows a trio of misfits who try navigating school with their heads down but eventually make a splash when embracing their powerful differences. Sarah Jakubowski brought an inspiring whimsy to nerdy Wayne Hopkins, an unwitting transplant from New Mexico hoping to go down in history as a hero. As angsty outcast Megan Jones learned to love her Puff-personality, actor Rachael McNutt made powerful choices to keep Megan's core passion alive while molding her into the kind soul she always was. No group being complete without the brains of their operation, Tristan Fishel had Oliver Rivers journey from an Oxford-bound mathematical savant to a lion-hearted protector, all while keeping his protractor on standby. Fishel's comedic timing enriched the spirit of the trio and the production itself.

The energetic ensemble of "Puffs" kept the show mobilized with their endearing, synergized awkwardness true to the house's nature. The group boasted diverse personalities, such as Victoria Reinhardt as the effusively lively Leanne and Adam Tamrjan as the brainless-yet-bold J. Finch. Despite limited stage space, clear physicality ensured each actor was heard and seen. The production used the entire auditorium, dispersing actors and stage crew throughout the area to stir liveliness.

In the wizarding world, magic can have peculiar, unknowable sources. But at Broad Run, one wellspring of delight came straight from the charming technical design. Zoe Anderson and Morgan Cull's lighting illuminated set designer Sayaan Bashir's rotating castle towers and trapdoor centerpiece. They made special use of the four houses' key colors when called for, notable in the sorting ceremony for the "Braves," "Snakes," "Smarts," and, of course, the "Puffs." Floating candles meshed with flashing disco lights and well-timed blackouts, indicative of the show's sentimental-yet-silly nature. Erika Abrillo's props were carefully crafted and thrown with an amusing "bounce" when spellcasting called for it.

When enjoying The-Franchise-That-Must-Not-Be-Named, it's easy for the indicated heroes of the series to ensnare you. "Puffs" comes along to challenge that notion, proving that being unnamed in someone else's story doesn't mean you'll ever go unnoticed in your own. Heartwarming and brimming with wit, Broad Run High School's "Puffs" is one for the books- or seven!

Cami DiVenere
Freedom High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Candlesticks floated magically above the looming set; shimmering black robes wisped along with the cobblestone floors. With a spotlight entrance, the audience was whisked into the world of Braves, Snakes, Smarts, and… who? Broad Run took the story of the boy who lived and turned it completely on its head with their production of Puffs! A parody of that awfully familiar wizarding world, Puffs followed The Puffs, a certain school of magic's most forgotten and "worthless" house, as they went through their own coming of age story while the boy with that iconic lightning scar did, well, whatever main characters do!

Sarah Jakubowski (Wayne Hopkins) portrayed the optimistic outcast with an absurd amount of relatability and plenty of charm to boot! Although charms and spells weren't Wayne's forte, Jakubowski's honest portrayal sold The Puff's ultimate dream of making their mark, even if they weren't marked by a Dark Lord.

Alongside Jakubowski were Rachael McNutt (Megan Jones) and Tristan Fishel (Oliver Rivers). McNutt's role as the "wrongly placed" Puff gave her a strong base for her character but didn't limit her ability. McNutt balanced depressing backstories with laughable attempts at social interaction, owned her angst, and kept the audience spellbound with her layered and consistent attitude. Fishel lent himself to a silly, nerdy posture, and mathematically calculated quips! Despite Fishel's awkwardness and McNutt's inept hugging, their blundered attempts at romance weren't in need of a love potion, as their chemistry onstage had schoolmates swooning! Their friendship with the headstrong Jakubowski made them the perfect trio that kept the audience mystified, even without the help of magic spells!

As the celebrity of the Puff house, Nick Kaplan (Cedric) had the Puffs, and audience, adoring him. With his iconic entrance theme and confident attitude, Kaplan was cheered each moment he stepped on the stage, all the way until his untimely death. His presence wasn't missed, though, as Kaplan was reborn into the grandiose and dramatic Mr. Voldy, who burst from the stage floor, bare feet and all, in order to continue his over-the-top comedic performance, claiming the lives of characters and audience members with his killer comedy.

Although the Puff's motto was "Third or Nothing!" they truly deserved first place for their endearing characters, excellent comedy, and cohesive sense of community! Kiki Reinhardt (Leanne), Adam Tamrjan (J. Finch), and Hannah Scarlatoiu (Susie Bones) embodied their roles as loyal Puffs. With standout comedic moments and gags, the Puffs and school staff blended together as a tight-knit group and filled the stage with plenty of hilarity that left the entire audience in such hysterics you might've thought they were throwing up slugs!

What wizarding world is complete without the magic that makes it all feel unreal? Sayaan Bashir designed the vast castle set. Complete with spinning walls, hidden entryways, and a spooky bathtub, the set had plenty of tricks up its sleeve and created a home for the Puffs while also assisting the actors in their comedic entrances. Excluding the broomsticks, there sure were a lot of high-flying tricks in this production. Prop designer Erika Abrillo created plenty of cursed objects: Dragon eggs, magic books, and even flying birds, which developed into a well-coordinated running joke so goofy that audiences badgered for more. The combined effort of both teams transfigured the stage and teleported audiences to a world beyond belief.

Aside from being near the kitchens, the best thing about Broad Run's Puffs was their mastery of comedy, lively cast, and otherworldly technical elements that created a fantastical and familiar home away from home for all who saw themselves as "just a Puff."

Tanvi Talusani
Freedom High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Most of us have heard about Harry Potter. We know his story and his accomplishments. But, what about the other people in Hogwarts? What were their stories and lives like in Hogwarts?

In Matt Cox's "Puffs," the story of Harry Potter's time at Hogwarts is shown through the perspective of the Hufflepuffs, the underdogs intimidated by the other houses. The show was performed Off-Broadway in 2015 and has been a very popular play ever since.

In a magical performance of "Puffs," Broad Run High School took the audience to the realm of magic, where everything is not quite as it seems in the books. New friendships are made, some friends are lost forever, and enchanting events always seem to occur every year. Though some parts of the year were very "serious," the actors brilliantly incorporated well-timed comedic elements, creating interactions with other members of the stage, including the stage crew, and with the audience.

Throughout the story, Wayne Hopkins, played by Sarah Jakubowski, has wanted to be a hero all Hopkins's life. Sarah stays true to the role of Wayne as members of Hufflepuff perish, embracing the pain as Hopkins would. Sarah embodies the character, even as improv scenes emerge. Jakubowski handles the changes like a pro. Wayne's friend, Oliver Rivers, played by Tristan Fishel, was a very memorable character in the play, known for Oliver's nervous behavior around other kids and Oliver's love for math. Fishel plays Oliver with the same nervousness and timid behavior that couldn't make the audience stop laughing. Of course, the audience couldn't forget Harry, played by Amarissa Salama, who created a new perspective of Harry Potter. Instead of Harry being selfless and caring, Harry is shown as a braggart and a show-off. Salama took on the role with confidence, shown throughout the show with excessive gestures and an upbeat tone. From beginning to end, the audience could not deny that there was a certain "Ron-mance" between Harry and Ron!

The tech elements in the production were critical in the making of the show. Lighting, headed by Zoe Anderson and Morgan Cull played a major role in creating the atmosphere in the room. In the bathtub scene with Cedric, the lighting crew created an illusion with the lights, giving the appearance of water. Of course, the bubble machine did help. The addition of candles gave the impression of Hogwarts, as the school always has many candles in its rooms. The candles also contributed to some eerie scenes during the play. The lighting was unique and captured all aspects of the play, creating calm yet chaotic environments and soothing yet malevolent moods.

The atmosphere captured by the lighting crew was accentuated with the help of sound, headed by Jaxon Lichtman and Alice McNutt. The sound crew perfectly timed their cues and added another dimension to the play as a whole. The setting was exemplified with the help of the set team. The sets were sui generis, complete with opening doors, spinning sets, and a different scene on each flat. The paintings, created by Lydia Wang, on the set were beautifully done, with painstaking attention to detail. The tech teams worked together to create a well-set atmosphere and setting for the play.

In a spellbinding performance of "Puffs," Broad Run High School told the story of the friendly Hufflepuffs, better known as the "Puffs," through the seven years at "a certain school of magic." Their goal is, "It's third or nothing!"

Catherine Kane
Falls Church High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

Everyone is the main character of their own story. Regardless of chaos, tragedy, or drama in others' lives, people continue on, sometimes invisibly. The play Puffs follows a group of students at a certain school of magic in England. While the most known telling of the school of magic centers on one "chosen boy" who dominates the narrative, little is known about the inner workings of the other "houses'' in the school.

The plot centers the students in the Puffs' house; the name comes from a play on words of the original (and trademarked) name of the house. Broad Run High School in Ashburn, VA, put on a production of Puffs.

The play occurs in the same plotline of its original source material, the Harry Potter series, originally written by J.K. Rowling and since adapted into a $25 billion franchise for Warner Brothers. Owls are still carrying mysterious letters of invitation to young wizards, in the Puffs' case to suburban New Jersey, and evil grown men who are not to be named are still terrorizing adolescents.

The unassuming hero in Puffs is Wayne Hopkins, played by Sarah Jakubowski. Wayne is a happy-go-lucky kid from New Mexico who lived with his uncle, who conveniently happened to not mention to him that he was a wizard (sound familiar?). Much like his alternate storyline counterpart, he is aided in his adventures by two friends, Oliver and Megan. Much like Ron and Hermoine, Oliver and Megan fall in love with each other and leave their hero friend in the dust of unrequited love for younger girls and people who act like little girls (Sally Perks).

Tristan Fishel and Rachael McNutt, who play Oliver and Megan, respectively, gave exemplary performances. Both actors made conscious choices in their reactions and body language that were true to the character and plot. Another stand-out performance came from Austin Lobel, who played the cheeky and self-effacing narrator. He remained a steady presence in the show, popping in every once in a while, to remind the audience that, yes, he is in on the joke too.

The real 'he-who-is-not-named' of the Harry Potter movies is the special effects coordinator and CGI artists who put the magic in the "school of magic." Live theatre is not granted the same conveniences; instead, it relies on the magic that the crew can create. Every off-stage throw, sound cue, and mysterious appearance was masterfully executed. The sound crew, Jaxon Lichtman and Alice McNutt, impeccably hit the mark on every sound effect; the stage crew never broke the spell of objects being summoned via a wand.

A significant number of the scenes in Puffs were directed by two student co-directors, Francesca Fiorello and Anna Koutsouftikis, who coordinated a meticulous battle scene that incorporated rapid entrances and exits, the weaving of performers on stage, and special effects of tying it all together.

In one of the final scenes of Puffs', the long-bearded headmaster of the school tells Wayne that the most powerful force in the world is not magic; it's love. Given the hiatus of live theatre due to the pandemic, any theatre lover who sees real people on stage in front of them might just have to agree.

Lucia Ku
Falls Church High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

The tale of Harry Potter, the boy who lived, has captivated the world for over 20 years. A core part of its universe deals with its houses: Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff. Gryffindors are often the heroes, and Slytherin, the villains, and there are supporting Ravenclaw characters. But what about the Hufflepuffs? Fortunately, Broad Run High School's Puffs answered this question. In essence, the play went through all seven years of the plot of the Harry Potter series from the perspective of the Puffs (a stand-in for Hufflepuffs), who learned that while they may be perpetual failures, that failing is simply a step on the way to success. Hijinks ensued as the Puffs witnessed increasingly more chaotic and dangerous situations a la the canon Harry Potter series.

The protagonist Wayne Hopkins (Sarah Jakubowski) was portrayed with a unique sense of eternal youth and unbreakable hopefulness. This character's presence was bolstered by both Oliver Rivers (Tristan Fishel) and Megan Jones (Rachael McNutt). McNutt's interpretation of her character was perfectly angsty as her yearning to be more than "just" a Puff was palpably honest and relatable despite the fantasy of the setting. Meanwhile, Fishel's performance as Oliver was refreshingly hilarious.

The ensemble (namely the rest of the Puffs) made the play feel complete, not only with constant stage business but also with comedic delivery. One particular standout moment was their overeager chorus of "Hi!" every time they would meet a new character.

The acting was not the only high point of the show, however. The set was elaborately decorated with a trapdoor centerpiece and floating candles and elaborately moved between scenes with transitions that rival professional productions. The sound was also very strong here, with impeccably timed sound effects that made it feel like wands were truly moving objects on stage, for example.

One would be remiss not to include the student direction. In particular, the battle scene was superbly blocked, with staging including the aisles fully immersing the audience into the middle of the fight. More generally, the incorporation of the aisles and the sides of the stage was a strong technique to keep the audience engaged.

Broad Run High School created a fun night for Harry Potter fans and non-fans alike, with actors who kept up with the fast-paced comedy and backstage technicians to truly bring the show to life. It was certainly unforgettable.

Stephanie Long
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Blue Ridge Leader

We all know the exciting adventures of one mysterious school of magic, but with four houses, one is left out of the narration, the Puffs. Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox, as performed by Broad Run High School, this story shares the tales of the Puff's house during the time at school in which Harry keeps bringing trouble. Friendships were made, people were lost, and the Puffs found themselves asking the question: Are we failures, and is that a good thing?

This performance had a fantastic way of showing the actions of the Puffs and the events they were going through. This all was elevated by lighting and sound. The lighting, done by Zoe Anderson and Morgan Cull, fit perfectly with the events happening in the show, colors changing on the sync to signify a multitude of things in life: the house someone was put in or the emotion of the scene. The lighting was also done by dimming the stage lights when someone had an inner monologue or when the attention needed to be on someone else, which was also done using a spotlight that would be shone all around the auditorium depending on where the person was which may not have been on the stage. As for the sound, Jaxon Lichtman did a great job with cues as small as a flick of a wand for a whooshing sound. Sounds were also used to signify the Puffs earning or losing points which added much more to the play than just having it be said that they gained or lost a point.

Special recognition to the actor Tristan Fishel who played Oliver Rivers is due as he did a fantastic job portraying his character. His costume matched his character, and his character matched his voice. The amount of detail put into his character was present on stage. Fishel did a great job at adding comedic elements to a character, not trying to be funny on purpose. Tristan also did a great job portraying the awkwardness of his character and played his character perfectly.

In this show, not only was the cast making the audience laugh but also the crew. At the beginning of the show, the narrator claims that the show will be five hours, only to be yelled at by a stage crew member in the lighting and soundbox that would not be happening. That wasn't all though one other stage crew member got a laugh out of the audience every time she was on stage, whether it was her holding a fuzzy "snake" and making an unenthusiastic hissing noise or telling the narrator that she doesn't get paid enough, you could hear a collective laugh from the audience.

After going so long without live performances, Broad Run made a fantastic comeback with their take on Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox. And they deserve a round of applause and another audience laugh.