Step 2: Wait, wait, wait. Wait for the day to finally arrive to see show.
Step 3: Eat a hearty lunch and bring a bottle of water on the day of the show, because it's a long show and you will feel thirsty. I was unable to locate the "single" water fountain that the ushers told me existed somewhere near a men's room (on another floor).
Step 4: Go see the show. The Lyric Theatre's recommendation is to arrive 1 hour before show starts. I don't think that's necessary unless you have little kids who need to linger in every single room, and then use the bathroom. As always, women's line is muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch longer than the men's. Recommendation #1 to ALL theaters: Put more stalls in the women's bathrooms.
Step 5: Before heading to your seat (if you have at least 20min), check out the Patronus room. It's near the HP gift shop. If you don't know what a Patronus is, shame on you. This means that you haven't read the first 7 books. You won't be punished, as the definition will be provided during the show. Step 6: If you are short and are sitting in the upper sections, you can get a pillow to sit on. There are ample pillows available in the closets before heading up the stairs to your seats.
Step 7: Enjoy your surroundings - both the other audience members (many will be wearing HP themed clothes) and the Lyric Theatre, which did a fantastic job in setting the HP theme. My favorite was the little dragons made out of metal (brass?) hanging above, with each tongue holding a lamp. Also, check out the carpet below as you walk. Red, with the "H" emblazoned each step of the way. Look above you, as you come up the stairs. You've got a view of the sky. The Lyric Theatre is spacious and smells fresh (yes, I am sensitive to smell, and nothing is more unpleasant than something that smells stale....well, there is body odor, but that's for another post). There are also stands by each door selling HP goodies.
Step 8: Settle down in your seat at least 10min before the show starts. Get to know your seatmate, as knowing if they are true HP fans will make for a joyous/interesting/loud discussion. And if they haven't read the books, then be there to answer any questions if they get confused with the storyline.
Step 9: And off we go for an amazing journey for Part I (2pm) and Part II (7:30pm). You will get a ShowBill booklet for each part. In there, it actually gives a summary of Books 1 to 7 (for the newbies or just those who need a refresher), as well as some common words used in the wizarding world (e.g., Muggles, Polyjuice Potion, etc.).
My Verdict: Amazing job bringing this play to life, and transporting me through this magical journey. It was everything I had hoped for and so much more. I don't have enough words to say what this play did to me. But to anyone who wants to be placed in a magical world, filled with creativity and brilliant acting, and learn about friendship, father-son relationships, forgiveness, and making tough decisions, then this play is a must see! The special effects are creative and make you think - How is this possible? How did they do it? You can't dwell too much on it, because well, you're off to the next scene, but still, it leaves for much pondering how much technology has improved and changed over the years. Lastly, bring a cardigan or sweatshirt, because this Lyric Theatre is cold (just ask the tip of my nose....ha, ha). Recommendation #2 - to the Lyric Theatre specifically: Please lower the AC. It must have been 65 degrees. I was shivering. May have been a strategy on their part to have audience members purchase the $60 HPCC sweatshirts, but I wasn't buying.
Summary of my favorite scenes:
1. The cliffhanger right before intermission of Part I, when Dolores Umbridge makes an announcement. I won't give it away as I do believe in #KeeptheSecrets (you will get a free pin w/this hashtag as you exit the theatre after Part I).
2. Moaning Myrtle's meeting with Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter. Her voice inflection and playful nature had the audience laughing along. Well done to the actress, Lauren Nicole Cipoletti.
3. The set design with the use of the time turner, and the way the stage became slightly blurried.
4. Opening of Part II with the music/dance performance.
5. Scene when Draco Malfoy hugs his son when they are reunited in 1981. I'm not giving away more or the preciseness of the date.
6. After Albus Potter drinks the Polyjuice potion and becomes Ron Weasley, and then has a run-in with his wife, Hermione. I won't say more, except it happened right in front of Hermione's office. The scene was hilarious.
One faux pas: Not sure if my view was blocked or not, but it seems that Hufflepuff's sign was not held up during the sorting hat ceremony during Part I. I would have added 1min to the scene, where a student was sorted into Hufflepuff. Just saying.
Final Note: I loved this play so much. The casting was spot-on. While I was unable to see the actors' facial expressions because I was sitting way too far away from the stage, their voices held the right amount of emotion and strength, as did their body language. I am very grateful that this show came to NYC, because otherwise I don't think I would have had a chance to see it. I hope this show runs for many, many years for others to enjoy. And maybe, just maybe, I'll one day get super-cheap tickets (like Friday 40), and see it again. There's no rush. But if there is ever a show I wouldn't mind seeing again, it would be this one.
