The 1990s comes back to life in Point Pleasant, when the Panther Players present this amazing fall production of Puffs. Puffs takes place in a magical wizarding school in London and eight individuals that are Puffs, take on seven years of magic school.

Seniors David Mammano (Wayne Hopkins), Gabby Greffen (Megan Jones), and Sophomore Jack Sharpe (Oliver Rivers) make up “the main trio” in this show. Senior Jimmy O’Donnell (Cedric, Mr. Voldy, Uncle Dave) plays a huge role with being the leader of the Puffs, a small southerner, and the key villain that has the Puffs on edge in the second act.

I got to talk to three seniors that are in this show and asked them about their experiences in Puffs.

First I talked to David Mammano. I asked him, as he is playing the main character, what is the biggest challenge when playing Wayne Hopkins? He stated, “My biggest challenge when playing Wayne is sometimes acting like I don’t like someone on stage when I am actually best friends with them in real life!”

Next I talked to Gabby Greffen. I asked her, if Megan Jones was not in this show, what would happen to this story? Gabby answered, “Megan Jones’s character is dynamic and fierce in the way she obtains her feared demeanor while she struggles with her inner good side of her. Megan doesn’t even accept herself for who she really is, a Puff, until the end after her newfound friends support her. She has a full-circle character arc throughout the show as she goes from speaking rudely to people just so they will go away, to enjoying a hug shared with a friend. Megan is needed in this show because her character is important to the plot and demonstrates to the audience that people will be there for you even if you attempt to push them away. The friendship between the trio of Wayne, Megan, and Oliver is beautifully demonstrated through a combination of a comedic yet humane script. From the start, Wayne is not scared of Megan and his persistence in trying to talk to her after she repeatedly shuts him down shows Megan that some people won’t give up on her. Oliver becoming Megan’s boyfriend lets Megan know she has someone out there who likes her for all her flaws. All of the Puffs like her for her flaws because that’s what makes Megan, Megan, and without Megan, the show Puffs would not be the same”.

Finally, I talked to Jimmy O’Donnell. When asked, what is your biggest moment in Puffs, he replied, “My biggest moment in puffs for Cedric is the opening scene. It will introduce my character Cedric and make the statement of who I will be throughout the show. I love how my character is displayed and the personality I have is fitting: ‘Welcome to the Puffs!’ Other than my opening scene I would say, the last words I speak to Wayne Hopkins, my best friend.”

As an involved actor in the theater program, and participant of this show as Ernie Mac, I believe this is one of the best shows we’ve put on at Point Pleasant Boro. The plot moves quickly for covering 7 years, while bringing drama, relationships, and crazy magic all together to the stage.

Show dates are November 16, 17, 18 at 7pm at the Loren Donley Center for the performing arts. Tickets are $12 each. Go to ppbhs.booktix.com to get tickets. We still have plenty of seats available in the house.

Come out and Support the Panther Players, and enjoy this amazing show that are performed by some of the best actors in the Jersey Shore.