There are some experiences that are worth staying up a little later for.
As a Kitsap mom, I'm always looking for fun things to do with my kids that feel a little more special. When an opportunity came along to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Seattle with my teen, I knew this was one of those nights we needed to make an event out of.
Because here's the thing about living in Kitsap County: Seattle really isn't that far away.
Yes, there is a ferry involved. Yes, you have to plan around the sailing schedule. And yes, getting everyone out the door on time can sometimes be its own adventure. But once you're on that boat, watching the Seattle skyline get closer, it starts to feel like you're heading somewhere special.
And that's exactly what this night felt like... and then some for Potterheads like us.
From Kitsap to the Wizarding World
We headed over to Seattle for an evening at the historic Paramount Theatre, where Harry Potter and the Cursed Child recently began its Seattle run.
For me, part of the fun wasn't just seeing the show. It was getting to spend this time with my kiddo. As our kids get older, family outings change. The little-kid activities that once guaranteed excitement don't always have the same appeal. But finding something that a parent and a teenager can both genuinely look forward to? That's a win.
And Harry Potter felt like a particularly good fit.
Whether your family grew up reading the books, watching the movies, or simply knows the characters and the world of Hogwarts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child offers something different: a new story set years after the original series.
But this wasn't my first time experiencing this sequel on stage. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to see the original Harry Potter and the Cursed Child production where it originated in London. That production was a two-part experience, with two acts running about two and a half hours each. It was a much longer theatrical experience, giving the story plenty of time to unfold and allowing audiences to really settle into the world of the play.
So I was especially curious to see how the touring U.S. production would translate that experience into a more condensed version.
The good news?
It works.
The Seattle production is condensed, but it doesn't feel like a watered-down version of the original. The story has been streamlined, but the heart, magic and spectacle that made the London production so memorable are still very much there.
The pacing is tighter, but the production still feels substantial. And, importantly to me, it maintains the integrity of the original performance.
Anyone who has never seen Harry Potter and the Cursed Child before, won't walk away feeling like they're seeing a lesser version because you didn't see the longer London production. And for someone like me who has seen it, the Seattle production still feels like a very worthy return to the wizarding world.
So... Was It Worth the Ferry Ride?
Short answer: YES.
But let me tell you why.
I don't want to give away the surprises because, honestly, some of the fun of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is experiencing them yourself. What I can say is that this isn't simply a play where actors stand on a stage and tell you a Harry Potter story. The production is filled with theatrical magic, illusions, music, movement, and special effects designed to make the wizarding world feel like it is happening right in front of you.
There were definitely moments when I found myself wondering, How did they just do that?
And then there were moments when I wasn't watching as a reviewer or a mom at all, and I was simply sitting there enjoying the show alongside my kid.
That's one of the things I love about live theater. Even when you know a little about what's coming because you've read the book or seen a production before, there is something completely different about experiencing it live again (and sharing the experience alongside your child).
One of the fun parts of the evening was getting dressed up together. Over the years, we've amassed a collection of Harry Potter merchandise, costumes and everyday pieces, so it was the perfect excuse to pull some of it out and wear it to the show. And we definitely weren't the only ones! Many theater-goers wore robes, scarves, house colors and all kinds of Harry Potter-inspired outfits. Families with kids, teens, and adults of all ages seemed to embrace the opportunity to share their love of the wizarding world together.
Making a Seattle Evening Out of It
If you're coming from Kitsap County, I wouldn't necessarily think of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as simply a theater ticket.
I'd think of it as a Seattle day, evening, or overnight adventure.
The Paramount Theatre is right in downtown Seattle, making it easy to build other activities around your show.
Depending on your showtime, you could:
- Take an earlier ferry and spend some time exploring downtown Seattle.
- Grab dinner before the performance.
- Stop for a special dessert or treat.
- Take a family photo in front of the theater.
- Let your teen choose a Seattle activity or restaurant.
There's something special about turning a theater ticket into an entire evening together.
That's the part I think parents sometimes forget.
Our kids won't necessarily remember every activity we took them to. But they may remember that night we took the ferry to Seattle, walked through downtown, grabbed dinner, went to a beautiful old theater and watched something magical together.
That's the memory I'm taking away from this evening.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
If you're coming from Kitsap, my biggest piece of advice is to give yourself plenty of time.
Downtown Seattle, parking, walking to the theater and getting settled in your seats can all take longer than expected. And if you're taking the ferry, you'll want to build plenty of cushion into your schedule. I'd also recommend checking the ferry schedule carefully before you leave and thinking ahead about your return trip.
And don't overschedule. If you're taking a teen, I'd leave some breathing room. Part of the fun is simply wandering around Seattle, grabbing something to eat and enjoying the feeling that you're having a night out.
Would I Recommend It for a Kitsap Family?
Yes.
For my family, this was one of those outings that reminded me that some of the best family memories happen when we step just a little outside our normal routine.
We left Kitsap, rode the ferry, spent an evening in Seattle and walked into the magical world of Harry Potter. And somewhere between the ferry ride and the final curtain, I stopped thinking about the logistics and simply enjoyed being there with my teen. Core memories are the best for both teens and parents!
Performance Schedule through Sept. 12
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm. Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm and Sundays at 1 pm and 7 pm with an additional Matinee on Friday, September 11 at 1:30 pm.
- The Open Captioned Performance is Saturday, September 5 at 2 pm.
- The ASL Performances are Sunday, August 30 at 1 pm (this performance is also Audio Described) and Saturday, September 5 at 8 pm.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Tickets are available online at STGPresents.org, Ticketmaster.com,
or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office at 911 Pine Street
in Downtown Seattle (Monday - Friday, 10am to 6pm).
Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed
by emailing Groups@BroadwayAtTheParamount.com or calling 206-701-8383.
Disclaimers:
Macaroni KID Kitsap is invited as a guest of STG & Broadway at the Paramount.
This review was written with the assistance of AI.
