The Empty Space Theatre put on a spectacular opening weekend of “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.” “Puffs,” originally written by Matt Cox, premiered Off-Broadway in 2015. 

Wayne Hopkins, Oliver Rivers, Megan Jones, and the rest of the Puffs in the play had the audience roaring with laughter. The cast played 50 different characters, according to the program, and spent the entire evening taking the audience through the world of the Puffs, a word-play on the Harry Potter Hogwarts House Hufflepuff which is, “Arguably the most overlooked house [in Harry Potter],” said Marina Gradowitz, a junior accounting major at Bakersfield College and a Director-At-Large.  

Gradowitz played Megan, an edgy and intimidating teen who befriends two of her fellow Puffs. Megan’s demeanor mimics her mother, Xavia Jones, who was locked away in Wizard Prison for working with the Dark Lord. However, new friends Wayne and Oliver, played by Justin Thompson and Connor Deming, respectively, see through her façade and form a trio (just like the famous trio we know and love from Harry Potter). 

“Puffs” follows Wayne, another orphaned boy not as well-known as his British counterpart, and his two friends through their journey at Wizarding School. Many of the adventures we see Harry, Ron, and Hermione encounter are shown through the lens of Wayne, Oliver, and Megan, “unremarkable” tweens that don’t have the same forte for magic.  

“It’s really fun and liberating to be a teenager in junior high/high school so I get to be silly and absurd all I want,” said Deming, a theater major at Bakersfield College. 

The play is a comedy, and the cast doesn’t fall short in fully dominating their roles.  

“My favorite part of Puffs is the hidden humor that is scattered across the show… whether it’s a reaction, a sweet karate move, or super lame but awesome class dance; it’s chuck full of surprises for first time audience members,” said Deming. 

Deming’s body language and movement speak more than what is said, being able to make the audience laugh with more than just his lines. Thompson’s reminder that he is an “11-year-old boy” (which, from the audience’s perspective, he is not) is a joke easily understood by all ages. Gradowtiz’s ability to make the audience truly feel her struggle between good and evil through just her delivery of her lines is a talent and something to note.  

The rest of the Puffs carry the comedy as well. Sally Bones constantly screams and cries about death, and J. Finch greets his fellow Puffs and the audience with a spectacular karate kick. Leanne, played by Savanna May, is a happy and energetic Puff who loves her friends.  

“Leanne… is the goofy, silly, ‘stereotypical’ Puff. She is filled with so much energy,” said May,  a junior theatre major at California State University, Bakersfield. 

Notably, besides the interjection of Harry and his friends, we get to see more of the life of a beloved character, Cedric [Diggory], also a Puff. After Cedric’s tragic death in Wayne’s Year 4, we get to see how his passing affects the Puffs, who were so excited to have representation over the other Houses. His life was more than just a plot line to show that “He who shall not be named” was coming back. He meant things to the other Puffs, and “Puffs,” did not shy away from showing how that grief can manifest in even younger aged teens.  

A large contributor to the humor was Jeremiah Heitman, who not only directed “Puffs,” but also played the role of the Dark Lord  His stage presence captured the audience. From how he moved across the stage (walking, sometimes being wheeled on some large contraption) down to the delivery of his lines, he took all the performances of Voldemort’s lines you see on TikTok and made them into his own. There was no one else better for the role and no one else who could have made me slump over in my seat, gasping and laughing in the same way. 

Beyond the comedy, however, “Puffs” tells of ordinary people, those that people look down on. 

“Puffs is essentially a story telling the perspectives of those who aren’t necessarily destined to be a chosen one but make their own unique differences on the world anyway,” said Gradowitz.  

Kailey Keeten, a Director-At-Large at The Empty Space and an ensemble member in “Puffs,” echoes the sentiments of Gradowitz. 

“It truly is a show of childhood and growing into a person… I think it’s very easy to find some characters in themselves,” said Keeten.  

We are the heroes of our own story, and what matters is the impact we make on the lives of people we care about rather than the world at large. This message is so important for everyone of all ages to hear because we often find ourselves comparing ourselves to others, thinking that if we were famous or superheroes then we would be truly important or make an impact. But at the end of the day, we all have our own stories, and the life we lead is just as important as anyone else’s.  

“Puffs” is the third show in The Empty Space’s current season, with two more shows this season, and plenty of others at other local theatres in town. Not only do many of these theatres have discounts for students (which is super convenient), but they give not only the actors a place to express themselves, but theater-goers can express themselves as well. 

I love theater, especially musical theater, and I am a Harry Potter nerd. Going to a local theatre gives me a place to explore my interests and experience a beautiful form of artwork.  

“I think it’s important to keep theater alive because it is an art. Art is a very important part, not only in our culture, but in day-to-day [life]. We consume so much art and so much media, it’s a part of our lives. I feel like theater is one of those ones that gets pushed to the background as weird… but there are shows for everyone,” said Keeten, emphasizing that it is essential to keep theater alive because of its cultural significance. 

I highly recommend this play. I don’t think that I could rave about it more. It has incredible comedy, grief, romance, friendships, adventure, and an important message that ties it all up in a neat bow. 

If you have the chance to check out the magic of “Puffs,” they run every Friday and Saturday from Sep. 8-30 at Highland High School.  Check out The Empty Space Website to buy tickets or see the show page.