Flathead High School chosen to premiere ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' high school edition
Lincoln McElwain as Scorpius Malfoy and Fallon Maas as Albus Severus Potter in the Flathead High School production of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” with performances scheduled Oct. 24-27. (Photo provided by Flathead High School Theatre).
Flathead High School Theatre brings the magical wizarding world of Hogwarts to Montana as it premieres high school edition of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Oct. 24-27.
FHS was one of 31 high schools nationwide selected to perform the Harry Potter stage production after winning Broadway Licensing Global’s Wands at the Ready competition held November through December 2023. To compete, schools submitted videos demonstrating “a passion for the arts, as well as student inclusion and diversity," according to broadwaylicensing.com.
Set 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure, this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When Harry Potter’s headstrong son, Albus, forms an unlikely friendship with Harry’s fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all — with the power to change the past and future forever. With thrilling spells, time traveling escapades, and an epic battle against mysterious forces, this production promises to captivate audiences of all ages.
"When I saw the Broadway production, I was convinced it was real magic. Now after working on the show myself, I'm partially convinced it still is,” director and FHS theater instructor Liz Sykora said. “Our characters are time traveling, getting eaten by magical bookcases, and casting spells. While I hope we have done the original script justice, I'm still convinced they have a real McGonagall on staff somewhere — one that has an endless amount of cash, magical abilities, and skill.”
The Broadway script was adapted for the high school stages by Broadway Licensing Global in collaboration with the show’s original creative team and approval of Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling.
“The impact of Harry Potter transcends generations. Older generations remember lining up for midnight releases in bookstores and movie theaters. Younger generations watched the movies growing up or played Hogwarts Legacy,” Sykora said. “The characters in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are like old friends to many of us, no matter our age.”
The FHS cast includes Fallon Maas, Maxwell Jones, Lily Amundson, Helena Pershall, Keelan Moore, Szonja Czinner, Bronson Willcut, Ada Milner, Lincoln McElwain, Badge Busse, Samuel Randall, Lou Corbett, Bayliss Cummings, Samara Hackley, Elysia Hernandez, Adisen Haag, David Moody, Miles Kuss, Myla Johnson, Taylor Welch, Emmah Sawyer, Shannon Brown, Trinity Hogard, Mia Lamantia, Aubrie Mannon, Mackenzie Murray, Jolee Pitts, Gabrielle Thomas, Abigail O’Connell and Natalie Young.
The stage and technical crew include Simon Ort, Paisley Boykin-Smith, Iris Bruce, Michael Palmer, Ava Plum, Nalani Sullivan, Sophie Hebert, Matthew Ottman, Iris Bruce, Jacob Linden, Michelle DeYoung, Tabor Oppor, Piper McElwain, Zoey Franklin and Lynn Beisel.
“We all ‘believe in magic,’ but seeing the magic of this show come to life is truly spectacular,” said McElwain, who will play Scorpius Malfoy.
This is not the first production FHS has won exclusive rights to produce. In 2022, the high school won a nationwide competition to produce Disney’s “Frozen: The Broadway Musical,” with performances in 2023. Some of the “Frozen” cast and crew return to the stage for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
"This show is really special to me because for ‘Frozen,’ I was the stage manager, and now I am playing a principal character,” Maas said who will play Albus Severus Potter.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” performances start at 6:27 pm in the David M. Hashley Theatre in FHS, 644 Fourth Ave. W., Kalispell.
Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $6 for children, students and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased online at gofan.co by searching “Flathead High School,” in the school’s main office, Photo Video Plus located at 284 Fourth Ave. West North, or at the door.