You really don’t need to be a Harry Potter buff to enjoy the supremely silly new production of “Puffs,” now at The Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline.

The rambunctious, enthusiastic cast gives the word “madcap” whole new meaning. With “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic,” which also was given a full-throated, wild rendition at Moline’s Spotlight Theatre three years ago this month, for all fans who grew up alongside Harry Potter and want to revisit that world, “Puffs” exudes a jovial, slapstick energy, and the mainly young performers at Black Box commit to it completely.

Bringing the show to life is director Kailey Ackermann and co-director Kat Jecklin, and there is boundless life in this frenetic cast (which spends a good deal of the 90-minute run time, with no intermission) scampering across the long stage. The action certainly moves fast to cover seven years in this vaguely familiar wizarding school (which took the famous eight films, from 2001-2011, over 19 hours to cover).

A scene from “Puffs,” playing through Aug. 15 at Black Box Theatre. (credit: Capturing Fireflies Photography)

The performers include Aaron Deneckere as Wayne, Aiden Earley as Ernie Mac, Cayla Odendahl as the Narrator, Eden Myers as Leanne, Elissa Dynes as Megan, Emma Hughes as Hannah/Xavia, Matt Call as J. Finch, Savannah Skidmore as Sally, Tommy Ratkiewicz as Cedric/Voldy, Valerie Moore as Susie/Harry and Vea Vavrosky as Oliver. Most of the actors also appear as other minor characters as well.

Ackermann is ecstatic to be directing her first show at the Black Box, and that love of performing shines through on stage. I particularly admired seeing the always energetic Matt Call easily turn from his last very serious role (as the obnoxious, disliked Adams in Music Guild’s “1776”) to flex his formidable comedic muscles, which here include Wayne’s uncle – at the start finding three quarters, in an inside joke between platforms 9 and 10 – and a loud, mean, obnoxious coach at the school.

A scene from “Puffs,” playing through Aug. 15 at Black Box Theatre. (credit: Capturing Fireflies Photography)

“Puffs” is a nickname for the Hogwarts house of Hufflepuff, whose best-known student is here, Cedric Diggory, who is the cool, popular student. In the original story, he was captain of the Quidditch team, but “Puffs” has nearly no mention of the sport, and does not refer to the other main houses (though there is the magic Sorting Hat), and Tommy Ratkiewicz makes an exceedingly handsome, magnetic Cedric, who is swaggering and sure of himself, with a literal spring in his step.

A scene from “Puffs,” playing through Aug. 15 at Black Box Theatre. (credit: Capturing Fireflies Photography)

Deneckere is the most relatable, normal and likable of the students as an optimistic Wayne, who is self-deprecating, saying he sucks at magic. He has a good chemistry with Vavrosky as the nerdy, nervous Oliver. Dynes is also a singular draw as the (initially) sullen, cynical, goth Megan, in her black leather and black panty hose. The friendship of the three main characters, throughout their school adventures, is a joy to behold.

Tommy Ratkiewicz (center) in “Puffs” at The Black Box Theatre (credit: Capturing Fireflies Photography)

Moore is a standout in her very brief scenes as Harry (who definitely is not the focus of “Puffs”), and I really appreciated the effect of the lit ends of each student’s wand.

I could not follow any logic to the story, and these are not the famous characters everyone knows, but that’s not the point. From Ratkiewicz reappearing as the Dark Lord (Voldy), who’s actually harmless, to a climactic battle with a heart-pounding soundtrack, it’s just a fun escape, and it seems like the actors are also having a ball. That’s what matters.

BBT will continue performances of “Puffs” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 13-15. Tickets ($18.75) are available HERE.

Tommy Ratkiewicz (center) in “Puffs” at The Black Box Theatre (credit: Capturing Fireflies Photography)

Eden Myers (left) and Elissa Dynes in “Puffs” at Black Box Theatre. (credit: Capturing Fireflies Photography)

Vea Vavrosky (left) as Oliver and Aaron Deneckere as Wayne in “Puffs” at Black Box Theatre. (credit: Capturing Fireflies Photography)

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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.