Shucked

Full of corny jokes, corny puns, and well….corn, Shucked is a musical-comedy unlike any other. Shucked, written by Robert Horn, Brandy Clark, and Shane McAnally, made its Broadway debut in 2023 and went on to receive nine nominations at the 76th Tony Awards — including one for Best Musical. 

Shucked follows the story of a corn loving community in Cob County, a small town that lives isolated from the outside world. They are happy with this, as everyone’s lives revolve around their corn harvests and each other. As the story begins, the audience is introduced to a young couple about to be married. Maizy (played by Danielle Wade) and Beau (played by Jake Odmark) are interrupted in the middle of their wedding ceremony by the corn crop suddenly dying. As a result, the wedding is postponed and Maizy decides to venture beyond the town limits and try to find a cure for the corn. However, everything unravels when Maizy brings back a con-man posing as a corn doctor who has ulterior motives for coming to Cob County. 

Shucked is full of hilarious, laugh out loud moments. From songs such as “Corn”, “Travelin’ Song”, “Ballad of the Rocks”, to the nonstop one-liners. The dialogue is quick and full of laughs, so many of which left me.. a-maized..at the cast’s ability to churn out so many cracks in a row. A special mention is deserved for Tyler Joseph Ellis (Storyteller #2), Maya Lagerstam (Storyteller #1), and Mike Nappi (Peanut), who stole the show with their comedic timing. The vocals in songs such as “I Do” and “OK” also blew me away. All of the songs are very country-based and will be stuck in your head for days after. The songs were enhanced by the fun choreography as well and use of props, which consisted of mostly corn! Another special mention is deserved for the touring crew as well, particularly the lighting and sound teams, for they knew how to do a strategically timed spotlight, and everyone who worked hard to put this production on at the Overture. 

Despite all of the humor and silliness, the story is, at its heart, full of love and one that stresses the importance of community and what it means to belong somewhere. 

This is one of the most unique shows out there, and a wild ride from start to finish, one that is worth venturing out to catch! And if you don’t walk out craving corn in some form, you simply have to go back and watch it again! 

Highly Recommended 

Reviewed by Emilie Giardina

This production is running February 4-February 9th at Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, WI. Overture Center is located at 201 State St., Madison, WI, 53703. The production is approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes, including one intermission. 

Tickets can be purchased here or by calling the box office at 608-258-4141.