Limestone Theatre To Present "Puffs" During 5-Show Run November 21-24

For seven years, a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. The upcoming play coming to Limestone College Theatre, however, does not tell his story. Instead, it is the story of the Puffs – who just happened to be there, too.

Limestone College’s Department of Theatre will present the hit off-Broadway play “Puffs!” during a five-show run November 21-24.

Show time is at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21- Saturday, Nov. 23. There will be a 3 p.m. performances on Saturday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 24.

“Puffs!” – also known as “Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic” – is a Harry Potter-inspired comedy. Written by Matt Cox, “Puffs!” finally gives the Hufflepuffs their due.

The off-Broadway play tackles Hogwarts from the perspective of its least celebrated house, Hufflepuff, long considered the home of leftover students who weren’t brave, smart, or ruthless enough to earn spots in the other school-sanctioned cliques.

In this story coming to Limestone Theatre, the would-be hero is Wayne (played by Billy Smith), a schlubby transplant from New Mexico who dreams he’s destined for greatness despite being painfully ordinary. Wayne’s own trio is rounded out by Oliver (played by Alex Smith), a math geek frustrated by Hogwarts’ rather limited curriculum, and Megan (played by Bre Surratt), a goth chick determined to prove she’s less like the other Puffs and more like her mother, a follower of Voldemort.

Other members of the Limestone cast, some playing multiple roles, include Nick Albert, J.R. Bloomer, Jamaas Britton, Mallory Haynes, Jasmine Mills, Hayden Peterson, Sabrina Schmidt, and Carlie Shope.

“The play closed off-Broadway in August of this year, and Limestone College Theatre is proud to be the first theatre in South Carolina to premier this hilarious look at a particular house of well-meaning students who happen to have a badger as their mascot,” said Director of Theatre and Musical Theatre Dr. Tim Baxter-Ferguson, who is directing the production. “If anyone in your family is a huge fan of a certain school of magic and magic, and a certain boy who failed to die, then this fresh and hilarious, and decidedly adult comic farce is just the ticket. Our students feel very fortunate to have started rehearsal just days after the play closed in New York.”

Bill West-Davis is the production’s lighting and costume designer. Grace Wylie serves as stage manager. Baxter-Ferguson is the scenic and proper designer.

Advance tickets are available at www.showtix4u (search “Limestone College”). Adult tickets are $12 each, while child and senior citizen admission is $10. Non-Limestone student tickets are $6 each, and Limestone faculty, staff, and students will be admitted for free with current college identification card. Tickets will also be available at the box office one hour prior to each performance.