Potted Potter is an “unauthorized” telling of Harry Potter’s story in a completely new and hilarious way – and in only 70 minutes!
This hit show debuted in the UK, went to Broadway and is now in Washington, DC at the Shakespeare Theatre for a limited time.
I saw Potted Potter several years ago when my oldest child was deep into his Harry Potter phase. My son and I both loved the show and I was excited to see it headed back to DC with my younger children.
The entire cast consists of only two people. One is the UK’s self-proclaimed foremost expert on Harry Potter and close, personal friend of J.K. Rowling.
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The other claims to have read the books but it soon becomes evident he has no idea what Harry Potter is about and he can’t do a good job covering that up.
The show is a witty, fast-paced family-friendly comedy that is delightful!
I really liked that this show is interactive, including a Quidditch match and opportunities to interact with the actors.
The highlight for me was the finale. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but it involves a rewriting of a 1970’s disco ballad into a duo that turns the focus, of course, on Harry Potter.
I thought the play was great for everyone. I saw it with my husband and two children, ages 7 and almost 12.
Two in the group are die-hard fans, one likes the movies, and one has very little interest in Harry Potter at all. The great thing about this play is that we all enjoyed it.
There were undoubtedly some “inside jokes” that the non-Harry Potter fan didn’t catch but that wasn’t enough for them to be lost at all.
At the performance we saw there were also plenty of adults there without children and we think this would also make a great date night or Mom’s night out.
Costumes are encouraged but not required. My kids loved wearing their Hogwarts robes and carrying their wands. We saw lots of other kids in robes and adults wearing their Quidditch shirts too!
Good to Know
- The show runs through July 17, 2022.
- Tickets and more information can be found here.
- Tickets start at $49.00.
- There is metered parking around the Shakespeare Theatre, but it’s limited to two hours during most times of the day and can be hard to find. We recommend taking metro or booking a nearby garage through Spothero.
- There is no intermission so plan accordingly! Make sure younger children go to the bathroom before the performance begins.
- There is a small café upstairs at the Shakespeare Theatre.
- Note that as of this writing the Shakespeare Theatre is requiring masks.
- Because this is a light comedy it’s okay to bring a child who may not be able to stay completely still or quiet for the entire show, as long as they will not disrupt the performance.
- The Shakespeare theatre is near many great restaurants as well as fast food restaurants. There is something nearby for everyone if you want to grab a bite before or after the show.
