Shucked

In the New Musical "Shucked," it is suggested that one of the most brilliant inspirations to emerge from God's mind wasn't the creation of humanity but rather the cultivation of corn. This farm-to-fable narrative about a humble yet remarkable plant, with its golden kernels and nourishing qualities, holds a special place for those living in a fictional place that's somewhere north to south and south to north, called Cob County. A captivating Tony Award-winning musical comedy that invites its audience to embrace a fresh perspective on the value of corn, encouraging them to think smaller and discover the profound significance in the little things in life! With an exceptional narration by Maya Lagerstam and Tyler Joseph Eliis, portraying Storyteller 1 and Storyteller 2, the retelling unfolds in the quaint small Midwestern town surrounded by a wall of corn in Cob County. The story centers on Maizy, Beau, and the plight of the local farmers as their cornfields begin to wither. Seeking to live a life of simplicity and nostalgia, the people of Cob County have isolated themselves from the outside world. Still, the mysterious plague on their crops threatens their desire to maintain their hominy lifestyle.

Jake Odmark and Daniellle Wade

Maizy, a spirited young woman on the cusp of marrying her longtime boyfriend, Beau, poses the question of bringing an outsider to help fix their problem, but her request falls on deaf ears. Don't miss the Puns here: deaf eyes, ears of corn. Frustrated by the locals' not wanting outside assistance, she boldly proclaims that they need someone to venture beyond the confines of their cornfields to seek a solution for their dying harvest. Still, most townsfolk, including her independently owned, strong-will cousin Lulu, resist inviting a stranger into their tight-knit community, fearing the consequences of disrupting their way of life. With Maizy feeling an unwavering sense of purpose, she ignores their doubts. She embarks on a journey to a foreign land called Tampa (Yes, Tampa, Florida)! Maizy walks down the bustling Tampa streets, where she sees a sign that reads "Corn Doctor. Hoping this doctor can help the town restore their precious corn, she enters the building and finds a handsome man named Gordy. She believes he might solve her corn problems, but Gordy, who is closing for the day, is a clever and cunning con artist currently posing as a podiatrist. When Maizy shares her concerns, he dismisses her. However, his demeanor shifts when he catches sight of her delicate stone bracelet, which suddenly slips from her wrist. The vibrant stones catch the light, revealing their exquisite beauty. Curiosity piqued, he quickly has the stones examined by an appraiser. When he learns they are worth a small fortune and senses an opportunity, he falsely assures Maizy that he can help her with her corn problems to reach Cob County in search of more valuable stones to pull himself out of the financial hole he's dug.

Directed by Jack O'Brien and from a book by Robert Horn, Shucked is a witty and enthralling story about finding yourself, love, and corn. Filled with puns, ridiculously witty one-liners, and corny jokes, Shucked is thoroughly entertaining and whimsically fun. At times, the storyline strays away from Cob County's problems with their corn not growing and goes into more of a love story, but that's okay when you are having so much fun with the alternative narrative where the only thing love needs is a little love and corn. Scott Pask captivates the audience with a stunning scenic design that transports them to a charming broken barn set against a picturesque backdrop of swaying cornfields. Japhy Weideman's lighting design provides the perfect hue of night and day at Cob County. With an exceptional narration by Maya Lagerstam and Tyler Joseph Ellis as Storytellers 1 and 2, they provide a nostalgic recall of Cob County's harvest of corn drying up. The superb cast features Miki Abraham, who was sensational as LuLu and rocked the house with Independently Owned. Quinn VanAntwerp as the slack, fast-talking Gordy, Mike Nappi, who was hilarious as "I Think," Peanut, Erick Pinnick (Grandpa), Kyle Sherman (Tank) and masterfully led by Jake Odmark and Danielle Wade as Beau and Maizy. I told my wife Brenda that Wade's twang in her singing voice reminded me of a young Dolly Parton and her duet with Abraham; singing "Friends" will surely bring the audience to tears.

The Music and Lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally are simple and magnificent. They produce fantastic songs that seamlessly flow with the narrative, like Walls, Woman of the World, Independently Owned, Maybe Love, OK, Friends, and Corn. Running two hours and twenty-five minutes, including an intermission, the musical "Shucked" roots in one of Robert Horn's earlier works, specifically the 2015 production "Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical." This connection adds an interesting layer to "Shucked," showcasing Horn's ability to blend humor with storytelling.

Shucked is only at the CIBC until January 19, so don't miss this musical, a cornucopia of laughter and frivolity.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

CIBC Theatre

SHUCKED

Book by Robert Horn

Music and Lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally

Directed by Jack O'Brien

Playing now until January 19, 2025

Thanks for visiting our website. For tickets, click above and for additional reviews, click below.