Fun and Corny times in Cob County (Broadway Across America)

Shucked 

Music and Lyrics by Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally 

Book by Robert Horn

Directed by Jack O'Brien  Review by Regina Harris

Entire contents are copyright @2025 by Regina Harris. All rights 

reserved . 

The 2023 hit Broadway play Shucked opened Tuesday night at Kentucky Performing Arts to a near sold-out audience. The crowd was all ears as they ate up corny jokes (though they were occasionally downright syrupy). The music and dancing like a cornfield on a windy day, and the vocals ranged from silky to gritty. The set design evoked Hee-Haw meets Broadway. Every aspect of this play was a-maize-ing! 

Shucked is a feel-good coming of age musical that doesn't roast the psyche or grill societal disparities. While its cornpone presentation goes down like moonshine, the characters are relatable, if a little cracked. Storytellers 1 and 2, played by Maya Lagerstam and Tyler Joseph Ellis respectively kept the pace; but it was Lagerstam's characterizations were particularly crunchy. Together they tell the story of Cob County, a small town whose crop is failing. Local girl Maizy (Danielle Wade) a sweet and tender-hearted young woman, feels pressed to leave the town and seek help to save her home and family. She thinks she finds that help in Gordy (Quinn Vanantwerp), a big city shuckster whose motivations are self-serving at best. Vanantwerp heats up the stage with the ensemble in "Bad," revealing his dynamic vocal range and sexy moves. Maizy takes him home to Cob County where her family grills him, especially her salty cousin Lulu (Miki Abraham) who shook the rafters not only with her impeccable comic timing, but her killer vocals. 

At the same time, Maizy and her ex-fiancé Beau (Jake Odmark), must confront their cracked relationship. Beau is a tad egotistical. Odmark himself is an amazing vocalist who crushed it with "Somebody Will." Beau's cornball best friend Peanut (Mike Nappi) helps Beau peel back his husk-tough exterior to reveal the soft kernels underneath using oodles of dad joke humor (a paper plane that doesn't fly is just stationary!) Toasted town party animal Tank (Kyle Sherman) drops in occasionally with half-baked observations. Maizy's hot Grandpa (Erick Pinnick) has dance moves that sizzle as he helps her find her truth. The ensemble raised the roof with its toe tapping rhythms and high spirits. 

Overall, this upbeat and uproarious hoe-down will have you cheering on these wholesome characters and dancing to the down-home beat. There are a few mildly sexual references, so it is suggested for age 10 and above, but the entire family can hop on this wagon and be carried away on a folksy and fun journey. It is true comfort food for the soul! 

Shucked  PNC Broadway in Louisville 

May 15, 16 @7:00 pm 

May 17 @ 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm 

May 18 @ 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm 

Kentucky Performing Arts

501 Main Street 

Louisville, KY 40202 

https://www.kentuckyperformingarts.org