Entertainment

How To See 'Fantastic Beasts' With J.K. Rowling

by Cristina Arreola

Have you dreamed of watching the Harry Potter movies side-by-side with the series' author, J.K. Rowling? Perhaps, you've imagined yourself sitting in a dim theatre, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans in one hand and Butterbeer in the other, as you chat with Eddie Redmayne about which Hogwarts House you belong in? Well now's your chance to see Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them with J.K. Rowling and Eddie Redmayne at a special NYC screening later this year.

J.K. Rowling announced on Monday that she will join the Oscar-winning actor on stage at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, Nov. 12, for a special advanced screening of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, the much-anticipated film that takes place in the Harry Potter universe before the events of the original series. The event, which is recommended for children over the age of 10, is being presented in partnership with Scholastic Inc., the US publishers of Harry Potter, and Warner Bros. Pictures.

At 11 a.m. ET today, tickets to the family event will go on sale. They range in price from $25 to $500, and will be available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office on 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in New York City, online at Carnegie Hall's official website, or via telephone at 212-247-7800.

Fantastic Beasts doesn't come out until Nov. 18, so this screening will allow lucky attendees to not only brag about seeing J.K. Rowling but also about seeing the movie ahead of all their friends. Plus, you can feel pretty good knowing that all the proceeds benefit J.K. Rowling's charity, the Lumos Foundation. In fact, Every single cent (or Galleon) raised by the event will go to a fund that helps children. None of the proceeds will go to administrative, fundraising, or overhead costs.

Lumos, named after the light-giving spell in the Harry Potter series, is an international, non-profit organization founded by J.K. Rowling that assists countries reform their services for disadvantaged children by moving from systems based on orphanages and residential institutions to services that help families stay together. By 2050, Lumos hopes to end the use of orphanages and institutions for vulnerable children.

"J.K. Rowling's brilliant Harry Potter series has inspired and encouraged millions of children around the world," said Dick Robinson, Chairman, President and CEO of Scholastic, in a press release. "Now... The Lumos Foundation are improving the lives of millions more children by helping them return to family life, and Scholastic is proud to support this important work."

Good luck securing a ticket — we hope to see you there! If you can't be there, you can see the movie on Nov. 18 or purchase a copy of the screenplay, published by Scholastic, on Nov. 19.

Images: Scholastic Inc.