Photo Flash: Get A Magical First Look at HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Previews begin tonight for the Broadway premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre in New York City. Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender announced today that more seats have just been released for previews. For tickets, go to www.HarryPotterThePlay.com.

The interior of the newly renovated Lyric Theatre, co-designed by Christine Jones and Brett J. Banakis, and overseen by Project Director Gary Beestone, was also revealed today.

A play in two parts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has its first preview of Part One tonight, Friday, March 16 at 8:00 PM, with the first preview of Part Two tomorrow, Saturday, March 17 at 8:00 PM. The production officially opens on Sunday, April 22 at the Lyric Theatre (214 West 43rd Street, New York, NY).

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany. The production is one play presented in two parts. Both parts are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings, or each part can be seen separately.

Visit www.HarryPotterThePlay.com for more information and sign up for the mailing list to stay up to date with future ticket releases and the latest news and updates.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in July 2016 at the Palace Theatre in London where it continues to play to sold out houses.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has won 24 major theatre awards in the UK and is the most awarded play in the history of Britain's Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards earlier this year including Best New Play and Best Director.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and the father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

Seven members of the award-winning Original West End Company will reunite on stage for the Broadway premiere: Jamie Parker (Harry Potter), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger) and Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley) with Poppy Miller (Ginny Potter), Sam Clemmett(Albus Potter), Alex Price (Draco Malfoy) and Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy). They will be joined by David Abeles, Brian Abraham, Shirine Babb, Jess Barbagallo, Olivia Bond, Stephen Bradbury, Lauren Nicole Cipoletti, Will Coombs, Joshua De Jesus, Jessie Fisher, Richard Gallagher, Susan Heyward, Geraldine Hughes, Edward James Hyland, Byron Jennings, Katie Kreisler, Joey Labrasca, Andrew Long, Landon Maas, Kathryn Meisle, Angela Reed, Dave Register, Adeola Role, James Romney, Nathan Salstone, Malika Samuel, Alanna Saunders, Brooklyn Shuck, David St. Louis, Stuart Ward, Madeline Weinstein, Alex Weisman and Benjamin Wheelwright playing a variety of characters.

Mr. Parker, Ms. Dumezweni, Mr. Thornley, Ms. Miller, Mr. Clemmett, Mr. Price and Mr. Boyle are appearing with the support of Actors' Equity Association. The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance to this production.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child features movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe. US Casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA. UK Casting by Julia Horan, CDG.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

Additional tickets at all price points for performances from March 16, 2018 to March 10, 2019 will be released as and when available through the official website www.HarryPotterThePlay.com and Ticketmaster.com.

There will be opportunities to purchase tickets in the future including late release and returned tickets which will regularly become available. Details of further ticket releases will be announced via the official Harry Potter and the Cursed Child website, social media channels and the official newsletter.

How To See The Play

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one play presented in two parts. There are three options presented for how to see the play:

· Parts One and Two together on the same day or consecutive evenings (recommended)

· Parts One and Two separately for non-consecutive performances

· Part One or Part Two only

For every performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, there are 300 seats priced at $40 or less per part, and 150 of these seats are priced at $20 per part.

Standard pricing is $20, $40, $80, $130, $165 and $199 per part. During previews (March 16 to April 21, 2018), select price points are reduced and tickets are priced at $20, $40, $70, $120, $155 and $189 per part. Premium tickets are also available for all performances. Standard Ticketmaster service fees apply.

Every Friday at 1:00 PM ET, production will release 40 tickets for every performance for the following week for some of the very best seats in the theatre at $40 ($20 per part). These tickets are known as the "Friday Forty" and will only be available via the the official website www.HarryPotterThePlay.com, TodayTix.com or the TodayTix App.

Entries will be accepted via TodayTix each Friday from 12:01 AM ET until 1:00 PM ET for the following week's performances. Winners will be notified between 1:00 PM ET and 5:00 PM ET.

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan