Potter parody arrives in the US

By DEEPTI HAJELA

Associated Press

NEW YORK

It was almost a little like magic, the way it all got started. But, hey, when it comes to Harry Potter, what isn’t?

On that day in London in 2005, Dan Clarkson was trying to find someone who could be part of a short Harry Potter comedy skit he was putting together to mark the release of the sixth book in J.K. Rowling’s hit series.

In Covent Garden, he happened to come across Jeff Turner, on his first day of trying his hand at a bit of street comedy.

“I was looking for a Harry Potter, and saw Jeff, and there you go,” Clarkson said.

That was the start of a beautiful friendship, and more importantly for theatergoers, the start of “Potted Potter,” a 70-minute parody of the entire series that has played to thousands in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, and is now making its U.S. debut.

It’s been in previews at the Little Shubert Theatre since mid-May, with the official opening night set for June 3.

The New York City run will go through Aug. 12, and a national tour is being planned.

The show, which bills itself as “The Unauthorized Harry Experience” is a fast-paced, tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek romp through Rowling’s seven books about the boy wizard and his adventures.

Turner, 31, wears a pair of black spectacles in his go-round as Harry, and Clarkson, 33, puts on a series of wigs, accents and adornments to portray a host of other characters, from Harry’s best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, to his arch-enemy Lord Voldemort.

There’s a near-constant patter between the two men, and even some audience participation.