Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department brings magical mischief to the stage with “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic”

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department presents a clever and imaginative comedy experience when they bring "Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic" to the LMC Mendel Center Hanson Theatre on the College’s Benton Harbor Campus.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 20-22 and 2 p.m. Nov. 23. Concessions and a bar featuring a specialty cocktail will be available at each performance. Tickets are available online at www.TheMendelCenter.com/events.

“Puffs” is a parody of a well-known boy wizard story told from the perspective of the underdogs, who are often overlooked and underestimated.  The Puffs are a group of misfits who always come in last. Over the course of seven increasingly eventful years, they hope to at least come in third place, but they eventually find that friendship and belonging are the real prize.

“The ‘Puffs’ storyline is part of our thematic season of fantasy, the magic of imagination, connection, and belonging. It aligns with our Spring semester musical production of 'Big Fish,' which we will present on the LMC Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre stage in March,” stated director and LMC Theatre Instructor Shalico Sain.

Sain added that she selected this production as the fall play because she felt the audience would connect with its comedic take on a familiar story.

“Quite frankly, I found the script side-splitting hilarious, and I thought we could all use some levity in our lives and world right now. What better place than to come to the theatre to escape and enjoy some laughs for a few hours,” Sain stated.

This lighthearted show is campy and told in a comedic stylized way, with exaggerated, ironic, non-realistic themes and effects. “Puffs” is geared for adults and contains adult language and humor. It is recommended for mature audiences.

Cast members:

      Garreth Smiley as Narrator

      Aiden Apreza as Wayne Hopkins

      Klara Johnson as Megan Jones

      Quintin Sharpe as Oliver Rivers

      Calie Madsen as Susie Bones, Second Headmaster

      AJ Dyer as Ernie Mac, Viktor

      Allison MacMillan as Hannah, Professor McG

      Anton Martin as Cedric, Zach Smith

      Deonna McGrew as Sally Perks, Hermeoone #3, Bippy

      Oria Messinger as Leanne, Frenchy, Ginny

      Gavin Blake as Voldy, Professor Locky, First Headmaster, Clumsy Longbottom

      Einra Leie as Xavia Jones, Rowena, Scorpius

      Kyle McAndrew as Harry, Colin, Death Buddy, Uncle Dave

      Joanna Blue as Death Buddy, Soul Sucking Security Guard

      Zechariah Childs as J. Finch Fletchley, Dragon

      Anidale Doyle as Myrtle, Hermeoone #1

      Dawn Maverick as Hermeoone #2, Rita Scooter, Death Buddy #1, Goyle

      Caleb Maynard as Tall Man, Seamus, Potions Teacher, Professor Turban, Mr. Bagman, Death Buddy

      Mikayla Mennito as Blondy Malfoy, Death Buddy

      Chris Paine as Mr. Nick, Real Mr. Moody, A Fat Friar, Sal

      Kristen Robinson as Ghost History Teacher, Helga, Sproutty, Lanny, Runes, Babble

Production crew:

      Rob Lunn, LMC Visual & Performing Arts Department Chair

      Shalico Sain, Producer & Director

      Mindy McCaffrey, LMC Visual & Performing Arts Department Administrative Assistant

      Elizabeth Coffee, Stage Manager

      Tabitha Hoskins, Costume Designer

      Dolphy Clark, Technical Director & Lighting Designer

      John Taylor, Master Carpenter & Set Designer

      Aaron Rennhack, Scenic Builder

      Kyra Utroske, Set Designer & Scenic Artist

      Cindy Jakeway, Scenic Artist

      Leo Rediess, Sound Designer

      Paige Mulick, Choreographer

      Kyle McAndrew, Props

Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students under 18. Tickets are available at www.TheMendelCenter.com/events. 

"Puffs (Two Act Edition)" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

About the Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department  

The Visual & Performing Arts Department allows students to reach new levels of excellence through classroom instruction and public performance. Many programs, including instrumental and vocal music, theatre, and dance, are based in the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, the only performing arts center of its kind in southwest Michigan. Here, LMC students have opportunities to study the performing arts in a venue that attracts thousands of patrons annually. Programs including drawing, painting, and graphic design allow students to explore the possibilities in the visual arts. 
 
Auditions are held for select ensembles that perform on the same stages as world-renowned touring acts. Students in any major also have opportunities to audition for plays and musicals, join three vocal ensembles, and perform in a variety of instrumental ensembles. One of only two colleges in Michigan to carry the prestigious All-Steinway designation, LMC has a team of highly qualified faculty that bring real-world expertise to the classroom.  

For more information about the Visual and Performing Arts department and performances, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/arts, email mmccaffrey@lakemichigancollege.edu, or call 269-927-8876.

The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center is 30 minutes from Niles and 40 minutes from the Kalamazoo and South Bend areas. It is located on the Lake Michigan College campus at 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, one mile east of I-94 (Exit 30) and one mile west of the US 31 Bypass (exit 24). Its GPS mapping address is 1100 Yore Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI.