A Very Potter Musical/Characters
Because the show is so rich in Alternate Character Interpretations:
Harry Potter
"I'm Harry freakin' Potter and I'm the man!"
Much like his canon counterpart, Harry Potter is 'the boy who lived', an orphan made famous by being the only wizard to ever survive Voldemort's killing curse. However in this universe he is now a bit too full of himself as he's the coolest kid in school who can charm anyone with his guitar. His best friends are Ron and Hermione and he crushes on Cho Chang, causing him to hate her boyfriend Cedric Diggory (all while being oblivious to the girl right for him all along, Ginny). He is chosen as the Gryffindor champion of the House Cup tournament (which is really just a ploy by Voldemort to defeat him). However as the show goes on, Harry begins to grow as a person and by the end he is ready to face his fate as he battles Voldemort. During his first year at Hogwarts he discovers more about his past and himself as he faces off Umbridge and Lucius Malfoy. Played by Darren Criss.
- Actor Allusion: When Harry gives himself a "reason you suck" speech, he references things like "doing weird covers of Disney songs".
- Big Man on Campus
- Genre Blind: Oh, boy:
- But he gets better as the show goes on.
- What about "Do your worst, I'm not afraid of you." delivered to Umbridge?
- The Hero
- I Just Want to Be Normal: Subverted. He's Harry Freakin' Potter!
- Improbable Age: Despite the romantic subplots and the fact that his actor is obviously college age, Harry says, on multiple occasions, "I'm just a twelve-year-old kid!"
- Oblivious to Love
- Only Sane Man: In Act 2.
- Retroactive Recognition: Go on, try and watch the musicals for the first time without going "oh, hi Blaine!"
- Although many Glee fans are probably taken aback by the sudden excess of hair.
- Take That Me:
Harry: In the muggle world, I'm something called a douchebag.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Harry, to himself, twice. In the original musical, he did this in song form ("Hey Dragon").
Ron Weasley
Harry's best friend, who initially comes off as a jerk, especially in regards to his little sister Ginny and his friend Hermione. Ron is on the surface as lazy and big-headed as Harry initially appears, but he feels inadequate in regards to Harry. Upon seeing Hermione reveal herself to be Beautiful All Along at the Yule Ball, he realizes he is in love with her. Unfortunately he makes a fool of himself, causing a misunderstanding with her and he sets out to not only help Harry, but prove himself to her along the way. During first year, Ron becomes BFFs with Harry before learning of his friend's identity. Played by Joey Richter.
- Abusive Sibling: To Ginny in the first half. He gets better in the second act.
- Big Eater: Word of God says that this version of Ron is so poor that he tries to eat as much free food as he can while at Hogwarts.
- Bi the Way: The Scarf of Sexual Preference sorted him as "Bi-curious", which he accepts with a cheery shrug.
- The Big Guy: But he can also be considered The Lancer.
- Ho Yay: With Harry.
Ron: Wanna hold hands?
Harry: I'd love that.
- He also has this weird thing with Snape in the sequel.
- Iconic Item: His headband and (in the sequel) Red Vines.
- Jerkass: As admitted by him.
Ron: I know I've been a real jerkass lately...
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold
- Mr. Exposition: He's the one who explains Harry's own origin story to him. In song form.
- Power-Up Food: Red Vines in the sequel. When he finds himself in times of trouble, he always turns to Red Vines and on at least one occasion they wind up saving the day.
- In the first show, he uses powdered donuts to replenish himself after destroying the second to last Horcrux.
Herman Hermione Granger (Danger...)
"The coolest girl on the face of the planet! The coolest bitch on Earth, goddammit!"
Badass Bookworm Hermione is probably the closest in canon terms to her original counterpart, the only difference now being that she has become the Butt Monkey of Hogwarts. One of Harry's best friends, Hermione is the coolest smartest girl (nay, person) at Hogwarts, she is often the one administering the helpful information to Harry, whom she frets over like a mother. The Yule Ball starts a dramatic change in Hermione as everyone realizes she was Beautiful All Along and actually cool (causing Ron and Draco to fall in love with her in the process). She continues to help Harry on his journey, but she learns to step to the side and allow him to learn and grow on his own. In her first year, she really let the taunts of her classmates get to her, until Future!Draco helps her start the journey to awesomeness. Played by Bonnie Gruesen.
- Beautiful All Along
- Brainy Brunette
- Butt Monkey: "Thanks, Hermione"
- Crowning Music of Awesome: It's not like the original or the sequel are light on awesome songs, but "The Coolest Girl" is really something special.
- Hollywood Homely: Done intentionally for comedy.
- Oblivious to Love: In particular, to Draco's feelings for her.
- More just Ron's feelings if you think about how future Draco spilled the beans in the sequel set a year before.
- Only Sane Man: At the beginning of the first musical, but Harry starts wising up by Act 2.
- The Smart Guy
Draco Malfoy
"This place has really gone to the dogs. Luckily next year, I'll be transferred to Pigfarts!"
A petite wizard who rivals and bullies Harry and his friends. Initially a Slytherin pure-blood supremacist, Draco hates Harry for being the coolest kid in school instead of him and longs to transfer to Pigfarts, a wizarding school on Mars. No one except his sidekicks Crabbe and Goyle take him seriously. He is chosen as the Slytherin champion for the House tournament, battling the Reluctant Dragon. Despite blatant hints throughout the show, Draco does not realize his feelings for Hermione Granger until he sees her all dolled up at the Yule Ball. After Harry (and Neville) humiliate him he joins forces with Voldemort to sneak Death Eaters into Hogwarts and kill Dumbledore in exchange for a rocket to Mars. He can not bring himself to kill Dumbledore though and ends up joining Harry and his friends. In the Sequel, he ends up going back in time with his father and his Death Eaters, orchestrating most of the plot so that the Trio survive their first year... and he totally doesn't have an ulterior motive. Played by Lauren Lopez.
- Bifauxnen
- Cassandra Truth: Draco brags about Pigfarts, a wizarding school on Mars with a lion headmaster named Rumbleroar, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione don't believe him. As it turns out, there really is a school on Mars called Pigfarts. And a talking lion Headmaster called Rumbleroar.
- Cloudcuckoolander:
Draco: "Pigfarts, Pigfarts, here I come. Pigfarts, Pigfarts, yum, yum yum..."
- Composite Character: Takes on the role of Viktor Krum as one of the champions from a morally-suspicious house and his crush on Hermione. There's plenty of Luna Lovegood in there, too; see Cloudcuckoolander.
- Crosscast Role: Wonderfully portrayed by a petite woman.
- Face Heel Turn
- Fake Brit: Very obviously. It's a very unconvincing British Accent.
- Harmless Villain: For the most part.
- Heel Face Turn
- The Lancer
- Large Ham
- Love Redeems: Sort of...
- Luke, I Am Your Father: "It's 'cause you're a ****ing elf!"
- The Napoleon: Draco is just about the shortest person in the show apart from Sango Taijima (Lavender).
- Second Love: Luna Lovegood.
- The Sixth Ranger
- Slouch of Villainy: Constantly fails at this in the most hilarious way possible.
- Small Name, Big Ego: A short blond boy soprano who struts around bragging about the most nonsensical of things, while attempting to strike cool poses. Thing is, he's so over the top in his bizarreness that the kids he bullies don't even know how to respond.
- Throw It In: According to certain sources, the classic punchline to the Unbreakable Vow scene was an improvisation.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: In spite of Hermione ultimately rejecting Draco, Draco finds a Second Love in Luna, who also wears diapers and knows about Pigfarts.
- Took a Level In Badass: In the sequel.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: What he desperately wants from Lucius in the AVPS.
Ginny Weasley
"Wowee, Harry Potter!"
Ron's little sister with a huge crush on Harry. Ginny is initially left out of the group as the Power Trio goes on their adventures, mainly due to her annoying behavior and Ron's brotherly attitude towards her. She truly cares for Harry though and is heartbroken over his crush on Cho. Later when she proves to be kind and truly understanding of Harry's misfortunes, he starts to fall for her as well. Eventually, Ginny finds herself joining in the battle against Voldemort as she proves herself to be the right girl for Harry, as well as showing off a powerful set of pipes. Played by Jaime Lyn Beatty.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: In Ron's opinion, at first.
- The Chick
- Demoted to Extra: In the sequel, though Jaime Lyn Beatty plays Rita Skeeter as well.
- Genki Girl
- It's Not You, It's My Enemies: Harry also uses this excuse to dump Ginny, causing them to have an argument while using the Spider-Man movies as examples.
- The Load: To Ron in the sequel. She's apparently attached to him so much that he's overjoyed when Molly takes her away so that Ron and his brothers can catch the train.
YES! FREEDOM!
- Love Interest: Eventually, to Harry.
- My Sister Is Off-Limits: Harry initially turns Ginny down because he's worried about his friendship with Ron. Turns out, Ron is totally cool with it.
- The Watson: With Harry and his friends well established in their secs year, she fulfills this role, getting things like Cho Chang and the Invisibility Cloak explained to her.
Voldemort
"I believe everything has its place. Muggles have their place, mudbloods have their place, and so do your clothes! Namely, A DRESSER!"
The villainous, evil, dark lord-who was beaten by two-year-old Harry. Now bodiless and weak, Professor Quirrell attaches him to the back of his head as he plots to regain his body and defeat Harry once and for all. But to his surprise he finds himself bonding with Quirrell, his first real friend. Eventually his evil plot to regain his body works, but at the cost of his new found friendship, while Harry escapes to warn the world he's back. Now on a mission to destroy Harry and take over the wizarding world, Voldemort might just succeed... if only these sad feelings would just leave him alone! Played by Joe Walker.
- Affably Evil: A lot less serious than his canon counterpart, Voldemort here has a fun loving side along with his classic villain persona.
- A Worldwide Punomenon: "You know, Quirrell, over the past year I've really grown attached to you."
- Bi the Way or possibly If It's You It's Okay
- Mr. Fanservice: After he gets his body back, but even before it's pretty obvious the guy is gorgeous.
- Evil Is Sexy: A handsome young man wearing only a cape, tights, and tap shoes.
- Ho Yay: with Quirell.
- Large Ham
- Love Redeems
- Neat Freak: Even though Quirrell is the sissy in the relationship, it's the Dark Lord who freaks out over dirty laundry on a chair.
Voldemort: I command you to get up and--FOLD THEM, AT LEAST!
- Not Quite Dead
- Take Over the World: What he wants.
- Throw It In: Joe Walker threw in this gem one night: "You'd think killing people might make them like you, but it doesn't. It just makes people dead."
- Walking Shirtless Scene: See his clothing choices above.
Dumbledore
"Who's ready to fight a draaaaaaaaaagon? Of course you're not ready, you're just children, what the hell am I thinking?"
The Headmaster of Hogwarts, much more of a Trickster Mentor than in the original series with a love for Zac Efron and High School Musical. Played by Dylan Saunders.
- Camp Gay / Invisible to Gaydar: Zigzagged. His attempts to hit on Snape and love of High School Musical are for laughs, but played very low-key. Basically, his sexual preference is obvious, but not in such a way that it's the defining trait of his character.
- He also hit on Umbridge because he thought she's a man.
- Informed Attractiveness: He's the most beautiful wizard there ever was.
- Jerkass
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Maybe. He does have a soft spot for Harry, but he's still a jerk.
- Ho Yay: With Snape.
- Large Ham
- Not Quite Dead
- Paper-Thin Disguise: He has a large white beard but, when disguising himself, all he needs to do to become completely unrecognisable is to wear a fake beard. A fake which is, in RL, the same as his usual beard, except brown. It also doesn't cover the white beard underneath. At all.
- Wizard Beard: Shorter than in canon and, in RL, quite clearly fake.
Professor Quirrell
"When I rule the world, I'll plant flowers!"
The new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts with a dark secret: Voldemort is living on the back of his head. Following orders he reinstates the House Cup tournament in a ploy to capture Harry and restore his master-and bonding with a certain dark wizard along the way. Played by Brian Rosenthal.
- Affably Evil
- Ambiguously Gay: Quirrell doesn't seem to be too interested in picking up chicks.
- Not to mention that he admits he has been 'Single all his life," and has a fondness for flowers and books by Jane Austen
- Hilarious in Hindsight when you find out that he canonically and beware of a Pottermore spoiler, used to press wild flowers before he died.
- Not to mention that he admits he has been 'Single all his life," and has a fondness for flowers and books by Jane Austen
- As You Know: Lampshaded, repeatedly.
- Ascended Meme: Almost certainly a coincidence, but see the character quote? Pottermore says that one of his hobbies is pressing wild flowers.
- Composite Character: Also fulfills the purpose of Barty Crouch Jr.
- Ensemble Darkhorse: Quirrellmort became a popular ship in the Harry Potter fandom after the Musical premiered on Youtube. Quirrell himself could be considered one since a fair few people were sad that he didn't make even a brief cameo in the Sequel, even though Brian Rosental was present, playing James Potter, Seamus Finnigan, and the Muggle conductor.
- Hilarious in Hindsight: Pottermore spoiler: He used to press wild flowers before his death.
- Ho Yay: With Voldemort.
- Poke the Poodle:
Quirrell: But, the papers-
Voldemort: Oh, just give 'em all B-'s and be done with it.
Quirrell: Now that's evil!
Severus Snape
The Potions master of Hogwarts whose loyalty is always up in the air. Doesn't do much apart from hamming around, Info Dump-ing and fulfilling Peter Pettigrew's place in the plot. He's still hilarious, though. Played by Joe Moses.
- Berserk Button: Being called a butt-trumpet. Also:
Sirius: You just can't stand that she picked James over you!
- Chewing the Scenery: He's probably the reason there is no scenery in the musical; he'd already eaten it all.
- Cloudcuckoolander: He's made out to be one in the Potion Master's Corner, in which Joe Moses interviews the cast in character. Or at least, in-character as a freaking crazy, random person who's dressed like and talks like Snape.
- Has some elements of this in the plays, as well, though he tends to be a little more grounded in reality there. A little bit.
- Composite Character: Performs the task of cutting off his hand a la Peter Pettigrew.
- Crowning Music of Awesome: "Guys Like Potter". Who knew Snape could sing? And then the Tear Jerker song is punctuated when Snape looks into the Mirror of Erised and sees Lily.
- Friendly Enemy: In the books, Ron thought Snape was a total asshole, and, at the very least, wished he'd be fired. In this continuity, they get along rather well.
- Ho Yay: With Dumbledore, and with Ron(!) in the sequel.
- Also with Draco, such as constantly trying to touch him in Voldermort's office and taking him back to his office when he see's Draco in his underwear
- And some Foe Yay with Lupin in the sequel.
- Hook Hand
- Incoming Ham: "What the Devil is going on heeeere?"
- Jerkass Woobie: In the sequel. Oh, God...
- Large Ham: Of all the hams in this show, he is by far the hammiest.
- More than likely a shout-out to Alan Rickman's deliciously hammy performance in the movies.
- Unlucky Childhood Friend: Same as in the canon.
- Fountain of Memes: For just a few of his oh so quotable lines, see this video
Bellatrix Lestrange
"If I'm going to be evil with you, I need to be evil with all of you!"
Voldemort's girlfriend and right hand woman who is slightly off her rocker. She readily accepts Voldemort once he regains his body and attempts to revamp the relationship as they carry out various evil plans. Unfortunately Voldemort is slightly different after his time with Quirrell and Bellatrix's patience with him starts to slip. Played by Britney Coleman.
- Dark Mistress
- Jerkass
- Most Annoying Sound: Any time she yells. Which is to say, a lot.
- Romantic False Lead
- The Scrappy: In a play where not only is the alternate interpretation of each character fantastic, but believable, AVPM's Bellatrix is a major disappointment; at times, it seems her only purpose in the play is to underline the fact that Voldemort loves Quirrell. And to shriek her lungs out.
Cedric Diggory
"Hufflepuffs are particularly good FINDers."
A Hufflepuff boy who is unknowingly a rival against Harry for Cho's affections. Chosen as the Hufflepuff champion during House Cup tournament, he fights Puff the Magic Dragon. He gets into a fight with Harry over Cho during the Yule Ball and ends up being murdered by Voldemort. Played by Tyler Brunsman.
- Beta Couple: Despite their status in the Love Triangle, he and Cho are like this.
- Butt Monkey: With the rest of the Hufflepuffs.
- Death of the Hypotenuse: Subverted, his death does not lead to Harry and Cho hooking up.
- Forgotten Fallen Friend: Was he mentioned at all after his death scene?
- Once or twice. To be fair, calling Cedric Harry's friend is a bit of a stretch. Harry says in the opening number that he hates the guy.
- Hufflepuff House: A big part of his schtick.
- Perpetual Smiler
- Running Gag: Hufflepuffs are apparently very good at FINDING things.
Dumbledore: What the hell is a Hufflepuff?
- Sickeningly Sweethearts: With Cho.
- You Look Familiar: After Cedric dies, we find out that he's also Cornelius Fudge! Then Fudge dies too!
- He's also mysteriously alive again in the ending scenes, but without a tie.
- It was probably just Lucius Malfoy, still hanging around after the whole 'Death Eater attack' thing.
- He's also mysteriously alive again in the ending scenes, but without a tie.
Cho Chang
"I'm Cho Chang, y'all."
The "super-mega-foxy-awesome-hot" Cho is Harry's initial crush who is going out with Cedric Diggory. Despite what her name suggests, she is actually a Southern white girl. She is chosen as the Ravenclaw champion during the House Cup tournament and fights Figment the Imaginary dragon. Played by Devin Lytle.
- Alpha Bitch: In her first year.
- Beta Couple: With Cedric, despite being in the Love Triangle.
- Composite Character: Cho also fulfills the role of Fleur Delacour during the tournament, mainly by being a pretty girl champion from a blue-colored house of all girls, much like the film-version of Beauxbatons.
- Fille Fatale
- Girl Posse: Lavender and Pansy follow her around.
- Hot for Teacher: In the sequel.
It's a shame you weren't serious Lupin. I could have been your greatest adventure.
- Ms. Fanservice: In the sequel. She goes from wearing a school uniform to a school uniform.
- Non-Indicative Name
- Race Lift
- Really Gets Around: It seems before hooking up with Cedric.
- Sickeningly Sweethearts: With Cedric.
- Southern Belle
Neville Longbottom
"My, look at these strapping young gentlemen."
A fellow student attending Hogwarts in the Gryffindor house with Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. He's barely there. Played by Richard Campbell.
- Butt Monkey: The only character Ron treats worse then Hermione and Ginny? Neville.
- He may insult Neville behind his back, but he never does anything to his face.
- Crowning Moment of Awesome: Depantsing Malfoy.
Crabbe and Goyle
"WE HATE NERDS!"
"And girls!"
Draco Malfoy's Slytherin sidekicks who hate nerds and girls. Crabbe is played by Julia Albain and Goyle is played by Jim Povolo.
- Acting for Two: This happens for most of the minor character actors, but Goyle is notable for his other character: RUMBLEROOOOOAR! As well as his other other character, Firenze.
- The Brute: Oh, Goyle rules!
- Crosscast Role: Crabbe is played by a girl.
- Ensemble Darkhorse: YEAH YOU'LL BE THE ONE WHO IS TO-TA-LLY AWE-SOME!
- Even Evil Has Standards: Join the rebellion against Umbridge after being given detention.
- Ho Yay: Quite possibly Goyle with Draco.
- Hidden Depths: Goyle drinks chamomile tea before he goes to sleep. Which is as close to Hidden Depths as you get with Goyle.
- Hulk Speak: Goyle.
- No Indoor Voice: Again, Goyle.
- Shout-Out: "WHO DARES DISTURB MY SLUMBER?! GET OVER HERE!! IT'S CLOBBERIN' TIME!"
- The Quiet One: Crabbe.
- Those Two Guys: As in the source material, they basically exist for the sole purpose of forming a Terrible Trio with Draco. Once Draco takes a more active role in the plot, they basically stop appearing altogether, barring cameos at the end.
- Throw It In: Goyle's best line ("OH, GOYLE RULES!") was thrown in by the actor.
Dolores Umbridge
"WHO DISRASPECT DA UMBRIDGE?!?"
A Ministry of Magic official sent to oversee security at Hogwarts. Develops an intense crush on Dumbledore. Played by Joe Walker.
- Ax Crazy: LITERALLY.
- Bifauxnen: She's played by the same highly attractive actor who played Voldemort in the first musical, and despite wearing a very silly costume he makes drag look good enough to give Tim Curry a run for his money.
- Brawn Hilda
- Clingy Jealous Girl
- Establishing Character Moment: Threatening to rip the girls' "perky little boobs" off if they misbehave.
- Huge Schoolgirl: When she was younger.
- Mommy Issues
- Team Mom: She at least sees herself as this to the
childrenchillens of Hogwarts. - Woman Scorned: Both in her backstory and when Dumbledore "dumps" her. But she's more or less in denial of that.
- Yandere: And how.
Remus Lupin
"I'm not dangerous and I'm not homeless! ...Anymore."
The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and a homeless drunk. Also a werewolf and James Potter's best friend. Played by Brian Holden.
- Cluster F-Bomb/Gosh Dang It to Heck: Swears more than anyone in the show, but remembers he's around children, and Bowdlerizes himself.
Oh shit, you guys are kids. I've got to watch my damn mouth around you little bastards. I'm sorry. Shoot. I've got to watch my damn mouth around you little bastards.
- Dirty Old Man: Towards Cho Chang (but then again, so is every other heterosexual male in the show).
- Ho Yay: With Sirius.
- Insistent Terminology: Lupin is James Potter's best friend, and anyone who says otherwise is mistaken. Even James Potter.
- Walking Shirtless Scene: Post-transformation, Lupin spends long stretches of time in nothing but his underwear.
Sirius Black
"It's your father's old invisibility cloak. We used to use it to play jokes on Snape! And we would solve mysteries and shit."
A fugitive from Azkaban, wanted for the murder of Peter Pettigrew. Also betrayed the Potters to Voldemort. Or did he? Played by Pussy Wiener Nicholas Joseph Strauss Matathia.
- Chewing the Scenery: "Lupin, my friend! You know the man you really are! His heart still beats in there!" Definitely a Shout-Out to Gary Oldman's performance in Prisoner of Azkaban.
- Ho Yay: With both Lupin and Harry.
- Lupin and Sirius can be seen exchanging a kiss in the background during the finale. About 5:16 into this
- Large Ham: Seems to have difficulty controlling THE VOLUME OF HIS VOICE!
- Malicious Slander: Rita Skeeter wrote in an article that Sirius was going to "drug and kill" Harry, when he really said he was just going to hug and kiss him.
Lucius Malfoy
"I wanted to know if you were interested in a role in the evil scheme I've just choreographed."
Draco's father who is quite the dancer. A Death Eater, he travels back in time to try to finish off Harry before he can take on Voldemort. Played by Tyler Brunsman.
- Bishounen: He's remarkably pretty, and his British accent is remarkably pretty, and his legs are so long.
- Crowning Music of Awesome: "It's Not Over Yet". Also counts as his Villain Song.
- Draco in Leather Pants: Very tight, Jareth-y pants.
- Mr. Fanservice
- Kick the Dog: Crumpling up a drawing Draco gave him.
- Large Ham: Dances around stage doing high kicks, and on at least one occasion has his minions dramatically carry him across the stage.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Draco shows off some moves he learned from the centaurs, making Lucius proud that he finally learned to dance.
- White-Haired Pretty Boy: To the max.
- Whole Costume Reference: Seemingly to Jareth from Labyrinth.
- It should be noted that the tights, vest, and puffy shirt are a standard male classical ballet costume, which was a huge part of Lucius's character. Though referencing Labyrinth does seem like a very Starkid thing to do.