Theater Round-Up: First Look at Daniel Radcliffe in ‘The Lifespan of a Fact,’ ‘Puffs’ Streams on BroadwayHD and More!

There are some big dates to make note of in this week’s theater news, Potter fans! Set your alarms, and mark your calendars because Dan Radcliffe’s The Lifespan of a Fact officially opens on Broadway tomorrow, and the hit off-Broadway comedy Puffs begins streaming on BroadwayHD Thursday, Oct. 18 as well.

In Leaky’s weekly review below, fans can check out details on both, including first look images of Radcliffe from preview performances! Also, read up on other important news, such as the release of two tracks from Imogen Heap’s Cursed Child soundtrack and pre-order information; a celebratory anniversary for Cursed Child New York and ticket news for Cursed Child Australia; an interview with Sonia Friedman on “commercial theater” and an update on the unfortunate–and hopefully temporary–cancelation of the Eugenius! transfer to the West End.

First Look at Daniel Radcliffe in The Lifespan of a Fact

Broadway World shared first look photos of Daniel Radcliffe, best known to Potter fans as Harry himself, in The Lifespan of a Fact, which opens at Studio 54 on Broadway Thursday, Oct. 18–that’s tomorrow!

Radcliffe stars as fact checker Jim Fingal alongside Bobby Cannavale, writer John D’Agata, and Cherry Jones, the editor, in the play based on a book about the writing of an essay–and the give-and-take, push-and-pull relationship that developed between D’Agata and Fingal in that seven-year time period.

The show embarks on a 16-week run and, from the positive feedback on preview performances, looks to be another Radcliffe stage success!

Here, former Potter costar Tom Felton encouraged fans to “go see it” after a viewing and “reunion” in New York City. Also check out Leaky’s coverage here of Radcliffe interviews with The Today Show, The Tonight Show and TheaterMania discussing and promoting the production!

Hear Tracks From Imogen Heap’s Cursed Child Soundtrack

According to Rollingstone, innovative musician Imogen Heap released two tracks from her Harry Potter and the Cursed Child score for previewing.

The first track, “Platform 9 3/4,” opens the first act with an upbeat blend of vocals and sound which perfectly conjures the magical energy and wonder of preparing to board the Hogwarts Express through the secret entrance at Kings Cross station.

The second track, “In Trouble (Again),” appears in the third act and features vocals and sound which swell with intensity while, somehow, still maintaining an other-worldly quality.

Rollingstone reported that Heap recently said of the soundtrack:

“Composing the score for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was ‘like nothing [she’s] ever attempted before…With over 100 moments of music in the play, the challenge was how to weave them together, and I think it has manifested into a really enjoyable listen, with memories for those who’ve seen the play, musical accompaniment to those with the script of the play or simply just to enjoy the music as a stand-alone album. It is crafted to be listened to in its entirety, taking the listener through different worlds within each suite. I don’t know another album like it. I hope others enjoy listening to it as much as I’ve enjoyed making.’ ”

The soundtrack officially releases Nov. 2 but is now available for pre-order! See details below.

Pre-order ‘The Music of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ by @imogenheap on digital today! And if that isn’t enough, two previously unreleased tracks from the album are premiering alongside today’s pre-order. Pre-order all formats of the album here https://t.co/SlDYhUxDwg pic.twitter.com/buCyGC4pzB

— Cursed Child NYC (@HPPlayNYC) October 9, 2018

Warwick Davis’ Eugenius! Transfer to West End Canceled 

The London Theater reported that the musical Eugenius!, produced by Warwick Davis and set for a transfer to the West End on Oct. 27 after a successful run at The Other Palace, has been canceled.

According to producers, financing from investors fell through, so continuing the production as scheduled was no longer feasible. Producer Kevin Wood issued the statement:

“The past few days have been spent frantically trying to replace them but time has run out.  In the New Year we will take stock and come again.

“We have spent too much time and money on this project to just let it die.”

It sounds like there’s still hope for a revival! But, in the meantime, the London Theater advised those who had already purchased tickets to call  +44 (0) 20 7492 0810 or email [email protected].

Cursed Child News from New York to Melbourne

The Broadway cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has now celebrated its milestone 100th performance, proving that the magic of Potter continues to live on, finding a home wherever Hogwarts, fans and Rowling’s incredible wizarding world find themselves paired together.

Hats off to the #CursedChildNYC cast — Saturday was our 100th performance on Broadway! pic.twitter.com/oWYQuu22IZ

— Cursed Child NYC (@HPPlayNYC) October 15, 2018

That world has officially expanded to Melbourne, where the Aussie production speeds toward a Wednesday, Jan. 16 opening! Get to know the new cast below as they begin rehearsals, and go behind the scenes to discuss a production that’s “covered in magic dust already.”

“It’s covered in magic dust already.” We agree with you Gareth! Take a look inside the rehearsal room as the Melbourne cast begin their #CursedChildAUS journey. Tickets for the Melbourne production of #CursedChild are on sale now: https://t.co/F1Om5es0Vfpic.twitter.com/wGe07UXGgB

— Cursed Child AUS (@HPPlayAUS) October 16, 2018

Tickets are on sale now, so get in line through the official website here! Also sign up to receive the Cursed Child Australia newsletter with the latest ticket news and updates here.

Puffs to Stream on BroadwayHD Starting Thursday

Experience the world of Harry Potter through the eyes of the Hufflepuffs as the Off-Broadway comedy @PuffsPlay streams on @BroadwayHDhttps://t.co/07rV2C0OeXpic.twitter.com/AyDqklUmFJ

— Playbill (@playbill) October 15, 2018

The Harry Potter-inspired off-Broadway hit, Puffs, will now be available for viewing at home even as it continues performances at New World Stages, presenting an incredible opportunity for fans who can’t make it to New York to view the long-running comedy.

The play has long been a success with fans for its re-imagining of the magical story from the perspective of the “Puff” house and, according to Playbill, the production will begin streaming on BroadwayHD Thursday, Oct. 18. It will also be available for download on iTunes and Amazon Nov. 22–with bonus material!

Sonia Friedman Talks Commercial Theater and Being an Independent Producer

Sonia Friedman has said she prefers to consider herself an independent producer rather than a commercial one, claiming that commercial theatre is ‘anti-art, anti-creativity and anti-audience’ https://t.co/uoncstLWHdpic.twitter.com/nNa9F09kyw

— The Stage (@TheStage) October 10, 2018

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, the Stage reported that Sonia Friedman reflected on what she considers “commercial theater” after her experiences in the subsidized sector. She said:

“Nothing I do sets out to be commercial. I’ve had an allergy towards that word since I worked in the subsidised sector. I hated commercial theatre.”

She added: “I think it’s anti-art, anti-theatre, anti-creativity, anti-audience, and so I like to think of myself as an independent producer as opposed to a commercial producer.”

She was also honest about the difficulty women with children would have managing a career like hers, simply because of the wealth of time required, but she remained optimistic that the tide was turning within the industry as a whole and becoming a more welcoming of women in those roles. She noted:

“In terms of female directors, female-led plays, female writers – this is the shift. It’s certainly, in our lifetime, the biggest shift and the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen, happening right now. I think we are now seizing the moment and I can’t see it going backwards.”

Friedman has certainly found her moment and seized that success with both hands, and it’s exciting to see where she–and the theater world–will go next!

Read more, including Friedman’s thoughts on “star casting,” here.