Chicago production company stages NEW Harry Potter parody

A brand new Harry Potter-themed stage parody, titled “Chester and the Unbearable Burden, Parts I and II” premieres this week in Chicago, IL.

With inspiration drawn from the celebrated Potter saga as well as The Lord of the Rings, this play is a “love letter” to both literary works. The show’s writer, Ben Fort, is a graduate of the writing program at The Second City, a prestigious drama school that has hatched many Saturday Night Live cast members, and which has begun the comedic writing careers of actors such as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Steve Carrell.

The show’s premise:

Dirkwood Wizarding Academy’s Spooksday Ball is fast approaching, and Chester would like to take a girl other than his best friend Lillian. First, Chester must prove he’s not just another wizard orphaned by the Dark Lord Molvak.

Chester’s problems increase when strange visitors, Sean and Hamfast, arrive at Dirkwood with a mysterious ring and a transcendent elf who bears ominous news of Molvak’s return.

Can Chester conquer death with the help of Lillian and Headmaster Dilfor? Will Chester be thwarted by escaped convict Gene or the sinister Professor Tansy? See for yourself in this two-part fantasy comedy filled with death, love, protagonism, and teen angst.

“Chester” performances run Thursdays-Sundays, February 9 to March 6 at the Athenaeum Theater (2936 N. Southport Ave, Chicago IL). MuggleNet will be attending and will provide a written review of the show next week. The show’s creators have been very active on both Twitter and Facebook, even holding a “Monoctopus Drawing Contest” based on one of Chester’s antagonists in the show.

For more information, including a trailer of the show, please visit the Six Hours Short web site. Tickets can be purchased on-line at this link. We hope to see all of Chicago’s (and surrounding areas’) Potter fans visiting this theater and supporting its newest production!