John Pinckard, a two time Tony award-winning producer, co-founder of Tilted Windmills Theatricals and SOTD alumnus, has opened another hit Off-Broadway. Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic opened at the Elektra Theatre Off-Broadway this fall season to rave reviews.
“Tickets are selling really well and the audiences that are coming are really loving it,” said Pinckard.
Describing the show, Pinckard insists it is much more than just a “silly parody.” Instead, he said, “It’s a thoughtful play with original characters that people really love.”
Before it had its Off-Broadway debut, Puffs was workshopped at the University of Florida this past summer. Jordan Albright, a recent graduate of the UF School of Theatre + Dance, saw the show in New York this fall and said, “It was great and very interesting to see not just theatre fans but also Harry Potter fans in the audience.”
“The UF School of Theatre + Dance’s contribution to this show is massive and cannot be overstated,” said Pinckard. Taking the show to Gainesville let the cast and crew explore new opportunities and helped them realize a fully formed production. The set and layout were even built to resemble the Elektra Theatre.
“We got to explore and try new things that we couldn’t have done in New York,” explained Pinckard.
Looking into the future, Puffs has recently extended its time at the Elektra Theatre until at least March of next year, and Tilted Windmills is looking at new projects to bring to the School of Theatre + Dance this summer. Pinckard is looking forward to summer 2017, and he says there are some big plans in the works and is “excited about taking our partnership with UF to the next level.”
The School of Theatre + Dance is equally as excited.
“I can say that faculty, staff and students in the School have responded with enthusiasm to previous collaborations with Tilted Windmills, and that we anticipate another project this summer,” said Jerry Dickey, director of the School of Theatre + Dance.
Puffs is playing Off-Broadway at the Elektra Theatre. For more information please visit: www.puffstheplay.com
