Harry Potter Exhibition Comes To NYC Tuesday
Updated 4/05/2011 10:45 a.m.
By Carly Petrone
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Muggles unite!
On Tuesday, Harry Potter fans will have the chance to step directly into Hogwarts at Harry Potter: The Exhibit at Discovery Time Square.
1010 WINS' Alice Stockton Rossini: What A Day To Be A Muggle!
Podcast
The exhibit features hundreds of artifacts and costumes on display and various sets completely recreated, and a majority of the items have been flown in directly from the movie set in order to make it as authentic as possible. You'll feel like a real Hogwart student as you walk into the Great Hall, stop by the Gryffindor boys' dormitory, sit in Hagrid's chair inside his hut, and stroll through the Forbidden Forest.
Also See: Photos From The Exhibit
It was Chief Creative Officer Eddie Newquist's vision to make the whole Harry Potter exhibition as immersive as possible. As an avid fan of the books and films you can feel his excitement as he talks about creating this magical experience. He knows how rare it is to have both a book and movie series become such a phenomenon.
There are plenty of interactive features within the exhibit, making it fun for the whole family. Pull a young Mandrake from its pot, toss a quaffle, or step inside the photo booth upstairs to be part of a scene from the film. Fans can also check out Harry's first pair of glasses, his actual invitation letter to Hogwarts, and his official wand. There's even an audio tour available, which pays tribute to those who worked on the films.
Costume designers, set decorators, and other members of the crew walk you through every room, share their stories from the set, and give each visitor more insight into what went on behind the scenes. Even David Barron and David Heyman, the producers of the films, are proud to welcome you as you enter this enchanted world.
"It's a very unique situation where a book series that is beloved by a generation suddenly becomes a movie series that is beloved by a generation," he said. "It just intertwined perfectly. It's a moment in time and a snapshot of our culture. If you waited in line at the store to buy the book or saw the movie the first night it came out, you're going to remember that moment probably for the rest of your life because it's got that classic quality already to it."
And you don't have to be a fan of Harry Potter to enjoy the exhibition. Kids and adults can definitely share in the experience and get a first hand look at hundreds of artifacts and props used in all eight films (including the yet to be released Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2). Even if you aren't familiar with every installment of the books or films, you'll absolutely have an appreciation for the craftsmanship that went into the making of this imaginative world. You'll truly get a sense of how the characters lived in the inventive world created by J.K. Rowling. Have fun but watch out for those chocolate frogs and magical spells - you might start to believe you're a wizard after all!
Make sure to buy your ticket today before the exhibition moves to its next international location. Exhibit officially opens April 5th and will run until September 5, 2011. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22.50 for seniors (65 and older), and $19.50 for children (4-12), children under 4 years of age are free. Harry Potter: The Exhibition is brought to you in partnership with Warner Brothers Consumer Products and Global Experience Specialists, Inc. (GES).
Discovery Time Square
226 W. 44th St.
New York, NY 10036
866-987-9692
discoverytsx.com
Will you be checking out the exhibit? Have you had enough of Harry Potter already? Sound off in our comments section.
Carly Petrone is a freelance writer and make-up artist living in NYC.
