I went into Harry Potter and the Cursed Child expecting a big Broadway production. I did not expect to spend nearly three hours wondering how on earth they were doing half of what I was seeing. What unfolded on the Eccles stage was equal parts theater, illusion, and pure magic, and I loved every minute of it.

The show opened at the Eccles Theater this week, and it was easily one of the most technically impressive productions I have seen come through Salt Lake City. That said, the effects were only part of what made the show so good. Underneath all the magic was a surprisingly emotional story about complicated families, friendship, and the pressure children feel when they are trying to live up to the people who came before them.

The story picks up years after the original Harry Potter series. Harry is grown up, married to Ginny, and raising three kids while working at the Ministry of Magic. His youngest son, Albus, is struggling with what it means to be Harry Potter’s son and all the expectations that come with that.

And then there’s Scorpius Malfoy.

Adam Grant Morrison, who plays Albus Potter, and David Fine, who plays Scorpius, were so good together. Their friendship really is the heart of the show. Morrison makes Albus frustrated and complicated without making him hard to root for, and Fine is hilarious as Scorpius. Some of my favorite moments of the entire night were his. The two of them find themselves caught up in an adventure that had the potential to change both the past and the future.

Nick Dillenburg plays an older Harry who is still carrying a lot from his own childhood while trying to figure out how to parent a son he doesn’t always understand. His relationship with Albus is messy, which made it feel surprisingly real. Their scenes together kept the story grounded, even when everything happening around them felt impossible.

I also really liked Ryan Hallahan as Draco. You kind of have a love hate relationship with Draco anyway, but seeing a more vulnerable side of him as a dad made me like the character even more.

Rachel Leslie is great as Hermione, bringing the same strong confidence to the character that fans will remember from the books, and Matt Harrington gets some huge laughs as Ron. Abbi Hawk as Ginny was another favorite for me. She was strong without losing the softer side of Ginny, especially in the scenes with Harry and Albus. Emily Schultheis also brought a lot to the role of Delphi Diggory and was incredibly fun to watch.

Then there was the magic.

This is the part I don’t even know how to explain without giving things away.

There were several moments when I genuinely had no idea what I had just watched happen. Characters disappeared right in front of us. Objects moved on their own. Spells flew across the stage. Dementors swept onto the stage. Even the way they moved through time was ridiculously cool.

I kept trying to figure out how they were doing everything and eventually gave up and just enjoyed it.

The whole production moves incredibly fast. Even the scene changes feel like part of the magic. A turn of a cloak can completely change what is happening onstage, and before you’ve figured out one effect, they’re already onto the next one.

The music deserves its own mention. This was a play, not a musical, but the music was present throughout and became an essential part of the experience. It added energy and tension without overwhelming the performances.

Director John Tiffany and the creative team somehow made all of it work together. Nothing felt accidental. The lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, and illusions and magic by Jamie Harrison are a huge part of what makes the show feel so different from anything else I’ve seen. The magic simply kept coming.

The magic is obviously a huge reason to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but it wasn’t my favorite part by the end.

The characters were.

You also don’t need to remember every tiny detail from the Harry Potter books to follow the show. Harry Potter fans will obviously catch more of the references and recognize more of the characters, but the story itself is pretty easy to follow.

At its core, this is a story about parents and children who love each other but don’t always understand each other. It’s also about finding the person who makes you feel less alone.

I expected the spectacle.

I did not expect to care quite so much about Albus and Scorpius by the end.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was funny, emotional, beautifully performed, and unlike anything else I’ve seen in a touring production. The effects were incredible, but the cast and the relationships between the characters were what made the experience unforgettable.

I walked out still talking about how they did half of the magic, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be wondering about some of it for a long time.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is playing at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City through October 11. The show runs approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes, including one intermission, and is recommended for ages 8 and older.

Whether you’re a lifelong Harry Potter fan or simply someone who loves great theater, this is a show worth experiencing.