By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo copyright: Brian Gawne/The Gaslight Theatre
Henry Porter (Jacob Brown) loves his student life at the Frogwaits Magical Academy. If only that spoiled blond rich kid Gregor Belfry (Mike Yarema) wasn't so annoying.
True fans of the Harry Potter phenomenon will find lots to enjoy in Gaslight Theatre's zippy new production of “Henry Porter and the Sorcerer's Secret,” a fanciful tale full of academic robes, capes, enormous beards and a most remarkable array of British accents.
The more you remember of the inspirational source material (both the books and movies) the more you will appreciate the detail of Gaslight's elaborate costumes (Renee Cloutier) and sets (Tom Benson).
The story arc begins with the orphan boy Henry (Jacob Brown) living with his aunt and uncle at 4057 Primrose Lane, somewhere in England. Quickly Henry becomes 18, gets invited to enroll in the Frogwaits Magical Academy and begins to discover some mysterious powers of his own.
In a brief but brilliant tribute to Pink Floyd's “Another Brick in the Wall,” teen Henry accidentally sends his birthday cake sailing across the Primrose family's living room. His grumpy uncle shouts out, “Hey, Henry, leave that cake alone!”
Signature events in Henry's hero journey begin with his Frogwaits arrival and the first year students' traditional Hatting Ceremony, the friendship of large-bodied grounds keeper Newminus Madgridge (Todd Thompson), and the student rivalry with arrogantly wealthy Gregor Belfry (Mike Yarema), whose blond hair and boorish manner seem to recall Donald Trump – but maybe that's just my overactive imagination.
There's also the ensuing battle between Gregor and Henry riding sleek broomsticks in a bout of Gringwich that cris-crosses the entire overhead portion of the Gaslight Theatre.
We all know they only have happy endings at the Gaslight, so there has to be an additional threat to Henry's survival. That would be the determination of Zlandagore (Jake Chapman), a Dark Warlock with evil associates Belladonna Perchance (Janee Page) and Cassandra (Erin Thompson) who join in pursuit of young Henry's demise before he can become a powerful Wizard himself.
To emphasize this point, all three enemies wear the blackest of wardrobes.
Also onstage to keep the magic moving right along at Frogwaits are the more than amply hirsute Professor and Headmaster Fronius Rumpledore (Dave Orley), kindly Professor McGarrigle (Heather Stricker), Professor Snipe (also Chapman), Hortense Dalloway the prestidigitation instructor (also Page), spell-casting instructor Doris Umber (Erin Helm) and fellow student McKenzie Skinner (also Erin Thompson).
The accompanying Olio brings more youthful charm with it's ever popular Muppet Show. Yarema plays green-hued master of ceremonies Kermit the frog. All of the Sesame Street characters will be quickly recognized. Who hasn't watched “Sesame Street” on public television.
The song list includes “Ma-Na-Ma-Na,” “Crocodile Rock” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The jokes include several of those “If xxx married xxx, her name would be xxx.”
Included were “If Yoko Ono married Sonny Bono, her name would be Yoko Ono Bono” and my personal all-time classic favorite, “If Ella Fitzgerald married Darth Vader, her name would be Ella Vader.”
"Henry Porter and the Sorcerer's Secret” continues Tuesdays through Sundays to Nov. 5, with performances at various time in the Gaslight Theater, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. Tickets (before tax) are $27, with discounts for groups, students, seniors, military, first responders and children age 2-12. Reservations are required.
For details and reservations, call 520-886-9428 or visit The Gaslight Theatre box office, open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Online its www.thegaslighttheatre.com
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