Puffs: One of the best plays to go across North’s stage

Sitting in a theater for two hours straight for a play might sound boring and painful, but for Puffs it was well worth it. This show definitely goes into the books as one of the greatest plays performed at North High.
Every winter season the Fargo North Theater Department performs a one act play. This year they put on the show Puffs, which is based on Harry Potter and the Hufflepuffs. The whole play follows the story of Wayne, a new young wizard, and the Puffs. It starts when they arrive at the wizarding school at age 12, and goes up until they’re 18. They performed this show, along with their ensemble dance number, on Feb. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m.
The one act begins with the narrator, played by Ella Schreiber, walking onto the stage and beginning the story as if it was about Harry Potter. Two actors entered the stage holding baby Potter, similar to how the first movie starts. Then suddenly they threw the child off stage, because this show wasn’t focused on Harry, but on the Puffs. Throughout the show, they made jokes about Harry Potter relating to the books and movies. I for one am not a die-hard Harry Potter fan, so I did not get a few of the jokes. However, I was laughing for the majority of the show.
Throughout the two hours, they go through seven years of the Puffs’ lives. Without even knowing Harry Potter, you know that the Puffs are kind of the joke of the school. All the other wizards are always pranking them and laughing at them, but they don’t care.
Megan, played by Macky Conlin, was the angsty puff who felt like she wasn’t one of them. It was enjoyable to watch the character development through the show as she slowly became friends, and in some cases more than friends, with her fellow Puffs.
There were a few moments, specifically during year five and six, that I began zoning out. However, year seven came in full swing with the Puffs fighting the Dark Lord and his followers. It was very fun to watch throughout the play as the Puffs grow as people and wizards, and work together to fight. Although, the saddest moment was definitely during this final year, where many of the Puffs die during the battle. I am not joking when I say I, along with many others, shouted, “No!” when J. Finch, played by Cameron Murphy, jumped in front of Ernie Mac, played by Paul Meidinger, and died for him.
There were many moments throughout the play that I really enjoyed. It was very funny to watch all the Puffs get drunk on butterbeer. Leanne, played by Natalie Syverson, even ended up passed out in the audience, and the other Puffs were going crazy. Another enjoyable scene was the dance. It was funny to see them all awkwardly dance, especially Hannah, played by Sylvia Schwantes, and J. Finch. The background music for the dances and other scenes also made this show a lot more interesting.
Macky Conlin, Cormac Gibney, and Gavin Nordeng, who played Megan, Wayne, and Oliver respectively, all did excellent jobs. Despite never having major leads in a show at North, they were able to portray their characters really well and truly were the stars of this play. Each of them filled their role perfectly.
Puffs had my attention the whole two hours. With only being on a few hours of sleep, I’m very impressed that the show was able to keep me awake and made me leave feeling more awake than I had all day. Everyone in this show did an excellent job fulfilling their jobs on and off stage. Throughout the play I was continuously impressed by their abilities to act and entertain the audience.