On February 13, Wilton High School Theatre announced plans to perform J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, becoming the first high school in CT and the first of 28 high schools across the country to do so.
The play, taking place after the epilogue of The Deathly Hallows and featuring Harry Potter’s son, Albus, opened on the West End in 2016 and Broadway in 2018. 2024 marks the year that the play pilots its high school production.
Licensing companies, pick a limited number of schools to evaluate how well high schools can produce and perform the play. Broadway shows include many complex special effects, detailed sets, and other intricacies which can be difficult for high schools to carry out. For example, The Phantom of the Opera needs the chandelier to fall from the ceiling—a production without the chandelier would disappoint and tarnish the show’s reputation.
Kate Rusin, a WHS senior who manages tech for theater, says about pulling this production off, “I know there is a lot of talent already in the theater program, and I think such a well-known and nostalgic name as Harry Potter will help attract even more talent to the program.”
The Cursed Child has won numerous awards for set, lighting, sound, video, and costume at the Laurence Olivier, WhatsOnStage, Tony, and DramaDesk Awards. Undoubtedly, the excellence of the show derives itself from these aspects.
Rusin explains, “The application was a two minute video that showed why your school and community is a magical place and should be the first high school in [our] state to perform it. Kathryn Luckstone, the creative director and producer of all WHS shows, and Mr. Slater brought together a group of students, mostly juniors and underclassmen, who are highly involved in and passionate about theater at WHS [to record it].”
Nick Somma, a WHS student featured in the video says, “I think what separated our application from others is the comedic aspect— many other schools simply gave a tour of their theater and stated point-blank why they thought they’d be a good fit, but Wilton’s application video had students that are all friends with each other and willing to slightly embarrass themselves or joke around a bit.”
Along with Rusin and Somma, WHS students Nicole Allers, Will DeBernardis, and Finn Ryder helped with the application. All are excited to perform in the show next year.
Somma continues, “I am so beyond excited to do HPCC with everyone! Our theater community is so welcoming and kind—we will all support each other all the way and have an absolute blast doing so! The lights, the SFX [sound effects], the costumes (if we get to wear Hogwarts robes I will actually be so happy), the people—it’s going to be so amazing!”Harry Potter fans and show-goers eagerly await the magic of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child set to debut on the WHS stage in November, 2024.
