By Colton Silva
Benicia High School has always been very well known for its high quality productions. From Improv shows, to the Musical Theater showcases, and especially the fall plays and spring musicals. And this fall will be performing one of the biggest spectacles yet entitled, “Puffs” or “Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic”.
“Puffs” is a spoof/parody comedic play based on the beloved books and films in the Harry Potter franchise. It follows the whole story of Harry Potter, but through the eyes of a group of unique students in the Hufflepuff house.
The show is a 5-door comedy that follows the “Comedia Del Arte” structure where actors are constantly entering and exiting the stage, so there is never a down moment. For example: as a character exists, another character may be entering at the same time or that same actor who just exited has roughly about seven seconds before they re-enter as a completely different character. It builds a big “wow factor” for the audience and keeps up with the fast paced energy the show endorses.
Additionally, the show has a ton of moments that require Improvisation so the show is not the same every night. So no matter what show you see, you will always be getting a unique experience.
As a part of the cast myself, I decided to interview some of the cast and technical crew as they get ready for their upcoming opening night.
I first went to leading actor and longtime improviser, Aidan Hachman, to ask him about his process over the rehearsals getting ready for his role as The Narrator. “Nailing down the British accent and preventing myself from slipping back into American English was my hardest challenge,” stated Hachman. “As well as getting the physicality down which has also been difficult.”
I then moved on to asking what audiences can expect from this show. “The audience can expect a reeeally, really fast paced show and a lot of technical effects and tricks.” Hachman continued, “There’s really gonna be some stuff that surprises people.”
I then moved onto an understudy member of the cast, Leilani Didasa, asking her about how she is feeling for her first show at Benicia High School. “I’m feeling a mixture of excitement and perturbed.” I then went on to ask about their favorite moment that they can’t wait to perform. “My favorite scene is ‘FIELD TRIP’ because it’s really fun to act drunk.”
Finally, I moved onto technical crewmember and house manager, Natalie Peters, to ask what the technical process of putting this beast of a show together has been. “The technical process is very difficult,” said Peters. “And as House Managers, my partner and I don’t just have our foot in one single medium, but we are dabbling in multiple things at once. Decorating the house and the lobby requires that we use textiles, woodworking, painting and many other types of artistic mediums. We have also helped build things for the set when the help is necessary, putting more hard work on our plate. But nonetheless, the work is worth it to see the faces of our audience.”
Additionally, there will be an opening night gala on the evening of December 12th with a costume contest and other special treats and surprises in the lobby before the show.
On behalf of Panther Productions, we hope all who are reading this come see this magical and hilarious production opening December 12th and running till December 20th.
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