A Harry Potter and the Cursed Child billboard has popped up in Times Square
A giant billboard for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has apparated in Times Square.
The billboard was unveiled on 1 September and as with London’s West End debut last year, it urged fans to “keep the secrets”.
The Broadway run will begin in March 2018.
September 1 is the date on which the first day in the play takes place.
A number of actors from London’s West End cast will reprise roles on Broadway.
Jamie Parker will play Harry Potter and Noma Dumezweni will return as Hermione Grainger alongside five of the original cast members.
Paul Thornley will also return as Ron Weasley alongside Poppy Miller as Ginny Potter, Sam Clemmett as Albus Potter, Alex Price as Draco Malfoy and Anthony Boyle as Scorpius Malfoy.
The original production on the West End has been awarded 22 major theatre accolades.
It broke records when it won nine Olivier awards and also won Best Play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
Parker told Pottermore: “I cannot wait to bring Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to Broadway, so a whole new audience can have their chance to come along. Theatre land in New York City is one of the most exciting places going.”
And Dumezweni added: “New York – Broadway – it’s happening! To be able to go there with this extraordinary show… My dream list is ticked! Playing a character who means so much to me and, of course, to so many, makes it even more special. It’s an absolute privilege and I’m looking forward to this next adventure working with our Broadway company.”
Thornley adds: “It has been the most brilliant job and this is the cherry on the icing on the top of a massive cake. Look out New York, the wizards are coming!”
Four children alternating two roles will join the cast members, alongside a number of other fresh faces:
David Abeles, Brian Abraham, Shirine Babb, Jess Barbagallo, Stephen Bradbury, Lauren Nicole Cipoletti, Joshua De Jesus, Jessie Fisher, Richard Gallagher, Susan Heyward, Geraldine Hughes, Edward James Hyland, Byron Jennings, Katie Kreisler, Joey LaBrasca, Andrew Long, Kathryn Meisle, Angela Reed, Dave Register, Adeola Role, James Romney, Malika Samuel, Alanna Saunders, David St. Louis, Stuart Ward, Madeline Weinstein, Alex Weisman and Benjamin Wheelwright.
Director John Tiffany said of the casting choices: “We have assembled an extraordinary cast for Broadway… Our Cursed Child family is growing with 28 brilliant new actors bringing their unique talents to our production.
“I also can’t wait to dive back into it with seven of our original London cast members reprising their thrilling performances for New York audiences. The adventure continues.”
The Cursed Child will kick off on Broadway in March 2018 at the Lyric Theatre and the official gala opening will take place on 22 April.
Tickets go on sale on 12 October via Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan programme, which is intended to protect against bots and ticket touts.
To get tickets fans will need to pre-register and registration opens on 1 October, closing on 5 October.
Harry Potter fans lucky enough to be at the opening night of the Cursed Child in London were warned to “keep the secrets”.
The 1,500 audience members were given badges as they left the theatre requesting that they “keep the secrets”.
JK Rowling took to Twitter to warn followers to read or see the play, that they would be driven to tears.
The famed author revealed last year that she would be writing a stage show about the story after Harry Potter left Hogwarts.
Some followers of Rowling were disappointed to hear that it would only be a stage production.
However they have since been appeased, as publisher Little, Brown, announced that the script will be published in a new book.
The book was released, naturally, on Harry Potter’s birthday last year – 31 July.
A description of the new book reads: “It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children.
“While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes darkness comes from unexpected places.”
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The cast was unveiled last December for the highly anticipated stage play – which will act as a sequel to the series.
Rowling revealed she deliberately never mentioned the ethnicity of Hermione – after the black actress was cast in the role.
She tweeted: “Canon: brown eyes, frizzy hair and very clever. White skin was never specified. Rowling loves black Hermione [kiss emoji]”.
Little, Brown CEO David Shelley said: “We are so thrilled to be publishing the script of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Rowling and her team have received a huge number of appeals from fans who can’t be in London to see the play and who would like to read the play in book format – and so we are absolutely delighted to be able to make it available for them.”
Rowling last year unveiled some of her rejection letters to help inspire fans not to give up on their dreams – and it was super inspiring.
The author was also named as one of the most philanthropic celebrities,alongside Elton John.
