Last month, I had an old friend from my Dispatch/Argus days email me a review I did in 2018 of Quad City Music Guild’s “Shrek the Musical,” and its headline could easily apply to the current Guild show, “The SpongeBob Musical”: “Colorful, entertaining ‘Shrek’ is a blast and a lesson.”

Both based on iconic animated characters, presented in the peak of summer, our silly sojourn now to the underwater psychedelic chaos of Bikini Bottom is a perfect vacation getaway – a cute panoply of rainbow hues, exaggerated characters, and relentless energy all in service of a consistently playful, good time.

First done locally in 2023 at Moline’s Spotlight Theatre, the SpongeBob musical (which premiered in 2016) is based on the phenomenally popular Nickelodeon animated series, “SpongeBob SquarePants” (which premiered in 1999 and has already inspired four feature films and other spinoff series and films).

Juniper Garza (center) as Plankton leads “When the Going Gets Tough” in the new Music Guild production.

The fizzy, fun musical is based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg and features a book by Kyle Jarrow, with a wide variety of original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics are by Jonathan Coulton, with additional music by Tom Kitt.

In the goofy story (which ends up being about friendship, togetherness and hope), when the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano (the tempestuous Mt. Humungous, imposing here on the right corner of the stage) will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world, embodied by our title hero.

At Music Guild — directed by Anthony Greer, with choreography by Harper Clark – the uniformly excellent cast is comprised of Deven Reed as SpongeBob; Myka Walljasper as Patrick; Taylor Bley as the four-legged Squidward; Lauren Casillas as Sandy the scientific squirrel; Joe Wren as Mr. Krabs; Juni Garza as Plankton; Kailee McCaw as Pearl, and Ella Hansen as Karen.

Kailee McCaw plays Pearl Krabs in the new “SpongeBob Musical” at Music Guild, Moline.

A musical theatre major at Augustana, Deven Reed makes a wonderful debut at Music Guild (with blonde hair but not a sponge head), boasting irrepressible energy and irresistible idealism. His infectious enthusiasm in the role spreads to the entire ensemble cast, and one of many kudos goes to costume designer Becki Arnold – who makes this show colors explode and pop, from the top to bottom of every performer.

I especially love the extraordinary diversity of wigs in the cast – including bright blue, green, yellow and pink, with Ella Hansen showing off a stylish purple bob, adding to a seductive chemistry she shares with Juniper Garza as the evil, flamboyant Plankton. The wild outfits throughout the cast are a consistent wonder to behold.

Each of the main characters nails their indelible roles. Walljasper is a perfect Patrick the starfish – she appears perpetually dumbfounded, often with her mouth open, and her “Super Sea Star Savior” (with the pink worshipping sardines) is one of many show highlights. Patrick and SpongeBob’s “BFF” is adorable; love the dancing letters!

Garza and Hansen really shine in Plankton’s boisterous rap number, “When the Going Gets Tough,” and Garza’s rapid-fire verse is both breathtaking and gloriously indecipherable. Lighting designer Ambrose Pennock takes the spotlight with really neat effects in “(Just a) Simple Sponge,” showing off fluorescent colors and glowing green props.

Kailee McCraw unfurls an amazingly strong voice, especially in Pearl’s arguing with her Krabby Dad in “Daddy Knows Best.” Wren is great as a full-throated capitalist, at fast-food war with Plankton’s “Chum Bucket.”

Another highlight reflects the nerdy smarts of Lauren Casillas as Sandy, who overcomes her isolation as the hero the story needs, and that need for teamwork is embodied in the inspiring “Hero is My Middle Name,” with SpongeBob and Patrick. Another beautiful costume touch here is jellyfish dancers who hold pink umbrellas bedecked with glittery, fluttery green attachments.

Taylor Bley plays Squidward in the new “SpongeBob Musical” at Music Guild, Moline.

Taylor Bley is a hilarious riot as the grumpy pessimist Squidward, who must overcome his own challenges (mocked as a loser by the cruel Electric Shakes boy band). The big Act II number, “I’m Not a Loser,” is a goofy, triumphant fantasy and ode to self-confidence, as Bley is backed and supported by sea anemones dressed (of course) in sparkly red outfits, and they all do a deliriously ebullient tap number, including the obligatory kick line.

After a fight, Patrick and SpongeBob make up in the tender “(I Guess I) Miss You,” and the ever-cheerful SpongeBob motivates everyone before the cataclysmic cliffhanger in “Best Day Ever.” The jaunty, buoyant song starts with Reed in his innocent, soft voice floating, and reflecting the joyous effervescence of the show. Reed even goes over during the number to hit a tambourine at the left corner, where the sound effects guy (Jared Ross as “foley fish”) at left offers entertaining accompaniment – including grooving without playing anything — off and on throughout.

Augustana College student Deven Reed plays the title role in the “SpongeBob Musical” at Music Guild through Sunday, July 19.

Lots of floating bubbles at the show’s end make another cool sight, and Greer’s program note says the musical doesn’t only add onto the well-known cartoon, but also speaks to adult themes regarding the importance of community, critiques of government and media-driven panic, the dangers of scapegoating, and the power of the individual. It truly is a lesson, as well as a blast.

“SpongeBob” continues this Thursday through Sunday – July 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., and July 19 at 2 p.m. at the Prospect Park Theater, 1584 34th Ave., Moline. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $15 for children (12 and under), available by calling the box office at 309-762-6610 or by visiting the QCMG website, www.qcmusicguild.com.

Myka Walljasper, left, plays Patrick, Deven Reed is SpongeBob and Lauren Casillas is Sandy in the new show at Quad City Music Guild, Moline.

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Jonathan Turner

Jonathan Turner -- who has called the Quad Cities home since 1995 -- has decades of experience as a professional journalist and pianist. His experience writing for daily newspapers, public radio and local TV encompasses a wide range of subjects, including the arts, politics, education, economic development, historic preservation, business, and tourism.

Jonathan most loves writing about music and the arts (which he now does as a freelancer for the River Cities Reader and Visit Quad Cities). He has a passion for accompanying musicals, singers, choirs and instrumentalists, including playing for QC Music Guild's 2023 productions of RENT and SWEENEY TODD. He is assistant music director and accompanist for the spring 2025 Music Guild show, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE. He wrote an original musical based on The Book of Job, which premiered at Playcrafters in 2010. Jonathan penned a 175-page history book about downtown Davenport, that was published by The History Press in 2016, and a travel guide about the QC published by Reedy Press in 2022.