Joe Siegel — Theater Critic

The message of the show is a simple one. People with disabilities and conditions like rapid aging need to be treated with the dignity they deserve. Kimberly asks for it and we want to see her receive it.

“The Outsiders” works as well as it does due to the efforts of the creative team in establishing a cruel world where violence often takes the place of open dialogue. Seeing the ways the rich kids demean and threaten the poor kids can be disturbing to watch. There is some intense violence in this show which really underscores the dangers teenagers can experience.

There are individual scenes which work well. I enjoyed Larry Yando, doing double duty as Harry’s beloved mentor and father figure, Dumbledore. Yando also amusingly channels the late Alan Rickman as Professor Snape. Snape’s sardonic demeanor and the way he interacts with Harry and Ron is delightful. Nick Dillenburg is charming and likeable as the adult Harry. There’s a sweet and funny scene with Harry and Albus at the train station. Overall, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” will be a must-see for hardcore Harry Potter fans. For others, I recommend sticking with the books.

Jordan Markus is enormously charming and exuberant as Jackson, an enigmatic and deeply troubled man who had the biggest selling album of all time, “Thriller.”