Returning to performing in front of a live audience for the first time in two years, Donegal Performing Arts will present the off-Broadway comedy hit "PUFFS" on Friday, Nov. 19, and Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m.

The show tells the stories of characters at a well-known wizard school, where a certain boy wizard conquered evil in a series of books and movies. The cast jokes that due to legal obligations, they can't use this boy's full name or the name of school, but they can reveal that "PUFFS" focuses on a group of students who happen to live at the school as well. The show's subtitle is "Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic," and it is billed as "a play for anyone who has never been destined to save the world."

"It's a very funny show," said Megan Harlacher, who portrays Leanne. "It's fun to watch the hysterical situations the characters get into."

Ryan Bedi, who plays Wayne Hopkins, said the show focuses on three characters, much like the books and movies do, but not the three characters you might assume. "There's a trio of Puffs who are an ironic version of the trio of characters everyone knows," he stated. "While (the books' main character) is the most important person, but really wishes he weren't, my character is the least important, but he wants to be the most important. He wants to be the hero."

"PUFFS" is a story of underdogs, said Bella Lapp, who plays Megan Jones. "The whole idea of the show is to focus on the background characters, the characters who fly under the radar," she explained.

And audiences can expect to connect with these characters, said Conner Hyle, who plays Oliver Rivers. "There are a lot of laughs in this show, and the characters are really relatable," he noted.

Kieran Barber, who plays Ernie Mac, stated that he performs with an accent since his character is from Scotland. "My character is a bit over the top, but that's what makes it fun," he said. "Audiences will laugh a lot during the show, but there are also emotional moments."

Bella explained that audiences do not need an extensive knowledge of the boy wizard and his escapades to appreciate the show. "There are inside jokes, so you'll like those if you're a fan, but there's also a lot of comedy that everyone can relate to," she stated.

Director Audra Brackbill said she chose "PUFFS" for several reasons. "This year is about recruiting, rebranding and rebuilding our theater program, so I wanted a show with a pop culture theme so it would appeal to a broad audience and a broad range of students who wanted to be a part of the show," she remarked, noting that she's a big fan of the wizard series. "I also really love the themes of this show. It emphasizes that friendship and loyalty are just as important as bravery."

Tickets for "PUFFS" are available at https://dpa.donegalsd.org.