Puffs - or seven increasingly eventful years at a certain school of magic and magic

Note: Puffs is the latest youth production at the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre. As with the youth production of Percy Jackson at the High Springs Playhouse, this review will not include a numerical rating.

Calling Puffs a spoof of that certain boy wizard, the one who shall not be named, is a disservice to the amount of heart and humor brought to life by the young actors at the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre.

Once again, ART exceeds expectations and defies the limitations of what can be accomplished in their theater. The entire configuration of the stage and seating has completely transformed from the previous show into a fully realized (Huffle)Puff common room, bedecked in black and yellow, with trinkets and knick-knacks to capture the whimsy of the Puffs. The set designer, Nolan LeGault, elevated the space and the experience by fabricating an entire forest of tree trunks working through every nook and cranny.

For anyone with passing knowledge of the wizarding world of Harry Potter, which serves as the inspiration behind Puffs, the general story will feel familiar and comfortable. Seven years of increasingly dangerous events at a school for witches and wizards, but this time the trauma is concentrated into roughly two hours and told from the perspective of the hapless, badger loving Puff kids. For anyone unfamiliar with Harry Potter, the jokes may be confusing, at best. This show is certainly best served with a healthy dose of nostalgia.

It is evident throughout the performance that this was an incredibly fun play for the young actors, with jokes galore, outlandish characters, and ridiculous quick changes that are as impressive as they are silly. Behind all of the silliness, though, there lies a surprisingly heartbreaking story of kids enduring the trials and tribulations thrust upon them by the adults of the world. To soften the blows, the show benefits from truly outstanding comedic performances. Gustavo Meucci, who is double cast as Cedric and Mr. Voldy, plays both parts with unrivaled flair, drawing in the attention of the Puffs, as well as the audience. Mr. Voldy, in particular, is so outrageously written and performed, that snorts of laughter were commonplace throughout the second act. Oliver Xu, playing the Narrator of Puffs, provides a wonderfully charming balance of professionalism and wit, coupled with a convincing British accent. The stoic nature of Mr. Xu's character highlights the absurdity of the story unfolding around him.

Whether in leading roles or as support, the actors are brilliant in creating characters that the audience cares about, giving weight to the emotional turmoil that the play builds towards. The three misfit friends at the center of the story, played by Felix Cassisi, Ella Grace, and Jaylen Thompson, are endearing and relatable in their awkward attempts to find their place in the wizarding community. On the surface, Puffs is every bit the goofy, nostalgic jaunt that the audience might expect, but these actors do an admirable job of making it feel like so much more.

With so many actors, costume changes, and scripted chaos, it is important to remember that pacing is pivotal to a show. There are moments of dead space that may be the result of accomodating quick changes in such a rapidfire show, but it's vital to keep the energy high during these times for the sake of the audience. Despite these moments, the audience remained invested in the show from introduction to curtain call.

At the time of writing, the run is sold out, but there is a waitlist for tickets that can be found at acrosstown.org/buy-tickets.