SAC’s Theatre Department opened its spring production of “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic” tonight at 7 p.m. at the San Pedro Playhouse Theatre.
The two-act play is a comedic parody of the Harry Potter series that retells the story from the less heroic perspective of House Hufflepuff. The plot follows best friends Wayne, Megan and Oliver as they navigate the absurd trials and tribulations of life attending a certain school of magic.
Theatre Program Coordinator and Director of the show, Laura T. Garza, wanted to tell a heart-warming story that theatergoers could personally relate to.
“It is ridiculously funny, and hopefully we can have audiences that will walk out of here both laughing and crying and talking about how fun it was, especially today in our world,” said Garza. “I feel like we need a lot more laughs and levity, and this show definitely brings that.”
Like many people, Garza has her own personal attachment to the franchise and hopes that audiences’ familiarity with the story would add a sense of connection to the world that would be impossible to get from an original script.
“I’m a big fan. I read all the books first and then watched all of the movies, but I did that with my son,” Garza said. “And so this is something that we shared, right? A special moment. And so that drew me into it, first and foremost. I think they (the audience) are going to find it very relatable because it’ll probably take them back to some nostalgic time of their own.”
Under her direction, Garza was able to bring a sense of camaraderie and positivity to the set that influenced the cast’s performances and relationships with each other.
“I’ve had the best time I’ve ever had with any cast ever on this production,” Isaiah Flores, who plays Oliver, said. “It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m super grateful for it, and I don’t even want it to end at all.”
That feeling was especially potent among the show’s central trio, who admitted they developed a strong bond throughout the process.
“We’ve worked with each other before, me and Isaiah, and Laura just came in,” Luis De La Torre, who plays Wayne, admitted while talking about Megan’s Actress and newcomer, Laura Ozuna. “We knew really nothing about Laura and to see her work and take off with it, we just clicked instantly.”
“I have to say that I felt a connection with these two guys,” said Ozuna. I felt very welcomed. I felt like it was a safe place to try new things. It’s been such a fun process. And through that process, you build that trust and you build that connection. These are some really awesome friends that I’ve made.”
“Puffs” plays at the San Pedro Playhouse from April 23 to 25 at 7 p.m. and on April 26 at 2 p.m.
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