‘‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’’ by Jack Thorne will come to light on Sunday, July 31

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‘‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’’ is a new play by Jack Thorne. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. It is one play presented in two Parts, which are anticipated to be seen in order on the same day or on two consecutive evenings.

On 10 February 2016, it was declared that both parts of the stage play’s script would be released in print and digital formats as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II published by Potter.

The first edition, entitled “Special Rehearsal Edition”, corresponded to the script used in the preview shows and was scheduled to be published on 31 July 2016, the date of Harry’s birthday in the series and Rowling’s birthday, as well. Since reviews to the script continued after the book was printed, an edited version will be released in 2017 as the “Definitive Collector’s Edition”. According to CNN this was the most preordered book of 2016.

Casie Johnson has had July 31 marked on her calendar for weeks.

“I have read all the books, and I observed all eight movies in one sitting,” says Johnson, 18, of Mountville. “I love how the stories are about spells and potions, and things you might see in fairy tales, but it takes it to another level.”

She says she can’t wait for the new book’s release.

“I am so excited. It’s going to be awesome to go back to a story that hasn’t been touched in a while,” she says. “It felt like the story ended too soon.”

“This book is obviously very different than the original seven books, since it’s a play, but it’s Harry Potter, so we know it’s going to bring out a lot of people,” says Ben Fischer, event coordinator for Barnes & Noble in Lancaster, where a release party will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

Barnes & Noble’s staff plans to go all out for the party, Fischer says. “We’ll have a Horcrux Scavenger Hunt, a Muggle Wall where fans can write what Harry Potter means to them, and guest readers reading from the book.”

The store will also be decorated like scenes from the books.

“We’ll have a 3-D puzzle build of the Astronomy Tower,” Fischer says. “We’ll have a Sorting Hat that sorts people into their house when they come in the door, and then we’ll have tables for each of the four houses with different activities based on the house.”

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