Warm up those wands, wizards, because the world of Harry Potter is hoping to cast a marketing spell over the metro area this summer.
The franchise, based on British author J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series, is promoting its spin-off products and marking its 25th film-debut anniversary this summer as Denver is set to host Broadway’s touring “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” opening at the Buell Theatre on Saturday, May 30, while HBO Max’s big-budget TV remake looms for a Dec. 25 premiere.
Here’s a quick guide to the spellbinding (at least we hope) events that we know of so far:
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”
This original, Tony-winning play was announced for Denver last year, and it’s finally hitting the stage at the Denver Performing Arts Complex for . Tickets have been on sale since Halloween, but there are still plenty left given the large number of shows. It’s a sequel to the books and movie series that follows Harry’s son, Albus, causing (and then trying to fix) a multiverse time-travel mess. Tickets are $57.82-$223.02 (fees included) by calling Denver Center for the Performing Arts at 303-446-4829 or visiting .
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition”
Described by its creators as “the most comprehensive touring exhibition ever presented on Harry Potter and the extended world,” this new, interactive and behind-the-scenes show opens on June 26 along South Broadway, according to producers. It’s linked to the Broadway show’s visit, with “wonders from the extended world” that includes the play but also the “Fantastic Beasts” spin-offs. Tickets for the show, also featuring photo opps, props, costumes and fun activities, went on sale this month for $20-$28 via . It takes place at 417 S. Broadway, a former Ace Hardware store in an empty strip mall in the Baker neighborhood.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” concert
Colorado Symphony’s always-lush film score performances return with this June 20-21 show, featuring composer John Williams’ music from the inaugural, 2001 film “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” The Boettcher Concert Hall show, part of the larger Harry Potter Film Concert Series, will feature the Colorado Symphony performing live, to picture, every note” from the film, which will be shown in high-definition on four large screens suspended above the orchestra, according to the Symphony. Tickets for the show at 1000 14th St. are $15-$123 via .
“DroneArt Show: Harry Potter”
Outside of a Quidditch match, this is the only airborne Potter-themed event you’ll see this year. In this case, it’s zooming over the Auraria campus with LED-studded choreography. “DroneArt Show: Harry Potter” will stage what it’s calling “a first-of-its-kind open-air drone spectacle” at the multi-college campus just west of downtown, with 1,200 synchronized drones programmed to “iconic music and moments from the films,” organizers said. The July 10-11 shows at the Tivoli Quad also feature a live violinist and LED bracelets “that allow them to interact further with the magic of the performance.” Tickets for the hour-long show are $44.90-$54.90 and available via . On-site parking costs extra and can also be purchased online for $25.
