BY AYO DEMPS

Just in time for Halloween, Shoestring Theatre is time-traveling back to the 1990s, to present Puffs, or “Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic.” Running Friday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Nov. 5, this parody of a certain gargantuan boy-wizard franchise is perfect for anyone who has ever felt like they’re a background character in someone else’s grand story.

We are presented with a Narrator (played by Hali Brown), who sets up our world with childlike wonder. You already know the story. There’s a boy. He’s special and magical and everyone worships the ground he walks on. He goes to a magical school for seven years, and every year, overcomes greater and greater challenges. Well. This isn’t about him. He’s insufferable.

Instead, we have Wayne Hopkins (played by Wren Alexander). He’s also magical, although significantly less special. He’s our main character, although he doesn’t think he is. When he arrives at the school, which has four houses with animal mascots (that are named in non-copyrighted ways), he is sorted into…the Puffs, known for loyalty, working hard, being really nice and, oh, badgers. Badgers are great, at least according to the Puff Who Mattered, Cedric (Eli Alexander).

Over the next seven years, we are treated to a new perspective on the story of a certain Boy Who Lived, Oliver Rivers (Nick Destro), a boy genius raised in the non-magical world, and Goth daughter of a Dark Wizard, Megan Jones (Collette Martin), who becomes a not-so Golden Trio, as Harry (Kate Budzinski) cavorts with Hermeeone (played alternatively by a disembodied wig and various actors) and Ron Mop (played by…a mop).

Puffs is a delightful play on the Island of Misfit Toys. J. Finch Fletchley (Candido Soto III) is boyish and fun. And possibly imaginary. Susie Bones’ (Juli Freeman) entire family was murdered by the Dark Lord (also Eli Alexander). Except her aunt. Who’s that? It’s Ernie Mac (Xavier Soto Colon), and he’s basically the best.

Hannah (Maya Swain) is so awkward, but so endearing, that no one minds. Sally Perks (Dominique Tate) goes to this school, and is very excited about it! Emily (Emily Williams) also goes to this school, and is definitely not imaginary. And Leanne (Natalie Alonzo) was raised in a cabin in the woods, and has never seen other children. Oh, and guess what? They’re all wizards!

And when I say we go through all seven years of magic school … I mean it. The cast is completed by a strong ensemble who portray Lord Voldy’s dark army, the Death Buddies, but also recognizable characters (with satirical and thus legally inactionable names) like Professor McG, Ginnyand others (Tiffany Demps); A Certain Potions Professor and others (Jacob Erthal); The First and Second Headmaster and others (Brian Casey/Steve Gelovich); Blondo Malfoy, A Dragon and others (Emma Ellis); Clumsy Long-Bottom and others (Brandon Jackson); A Very Tall Man and others (Westley McIntyre); and Prof. Sproutty and others (Liz Lavery).

From Year One, The Puffs and The Sorcerers attempt to earn points and make friends, to Year Four, The Puffs and the year they mattered, and finishing with the final year, The Puffs and the time Harry came back and caused a war at school (which is closely followed by an obligatory segment called 19 Years Later), it’s an absolute dragon coaster ride!

Directed by Ayo Demps, assistant-directed by Christina Sills, and stage-managed by Lori Lemoine, this show is asterisked for strong language, sexual situations, and frank talk of death.

But we have a family-friendly performance at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, preceding Shoestring’s free community event, the second annual Trunk or Treat!

Tickets are on sale now at shoestringtheatre.net, or call the box office at 386-228-3777. See you at the theater!