Review Roundup: SHUCKED North American Tour

The North American tour of Shucked is now underway, kicking off in Providence, RI in October 2024.  Read the reviews so far for Shucked below!

Shucked is the Tony Award–winning musical comedy. Featuring a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, a score by the Grammy Award–winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater. 

The cast includes Miki Abraham as Lulu, Tyler Joseph Ellis as Storyteller 2, Maya Lagerstam as Storyteller 1, Mike Nappi as Peanut, Jake Odmark (Kinky Boots) as Beau, Quinn VanAntwerp as Gordy and Danielle Wade as Maizy.  

The cast also includes Zakiya Baptiste, Mackenzie Bell, Carly Caviglia, Cecily Dionne Davis, Ryan Fitzgerald, Sean Casey Flanagan, Jackson Goad, Erick Pinnick, Nick Raynor, Celeste Rose, Kyle Sherman and Chani Wereley.  

Erica Cataldi-Roberts, BroadwayWorld: Believe everything you’ve read or heard about Shucked’s relentless one liners, puns, and Dad jokes, because this is absolutely true. Your enjoyment - or not - of such quips will greatly factor into your overall enjoyment of the show. The show’s plot is fairly thin - in fact, much of the dramatic tension is openly solved before intermission. This almost makes one wonder if keeping the audience laughing was done at the expense of crafting a more sophisticated story. While many of the jokes are warranted, others are shoehorned in, sometimes at length, to the point where I sometimes found myself hoping the show could simply move on.

Will Demers, Edge Media Network: All of the actors seem at home here. You'd never know this is their first stop on the tour. Grand vocals, fun choreography, and some slapstick round out a fun night of light entertainment with the promise of a neat and happy (and somewhat sappy) resolution by the end of act two. Kids will enjoy the neat production numbers and visuals, and adults will giggle at the many double entendres and maybe even want to sing along.

G.E. Tipton, Music City Review: he music isn’t amazing, but Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally’s lyrics are hilarious. Most of the songs are upbeat and fun Broadway ensemble numbers. Danielle Wade as Maizy has a strong voice and leads in many of them, “Travelin’ Song” being my favorite of hers. The two songs that left the greatest impression on my husband and I were “Somebody Will,” and “Independently Owned.” The first song feels like a familiar country breakup song (Beau is reacting to his break up with Maizy), showing off Jake Odmark’s superb Broadway voice. The second song is sung by Lulu, displaying her independent spirit. Abraham’s voice is fabulous and the catchy song has gotten stuck in my head. The choreography mainly focuses on the comedy elements of the show (such as a corncob kickline) and is good. Everyone is well cast.

Joni Lorraine, BroadwayWorld: Y’all, SHUCKED is in town and it’s just as corny as you might imagine. It’s full to the brim with dad jokes, groan worthy puns, a-maize-ing talent, and a sweet little universal plot. It’s a strange but pleasant marriage between Broadway and corn-try music. An unapologetically silly display of rural Americana, SHUCKED is a timely fresh breath of fun.

Armando Urdiales, BroadwayWorld: Shucked is a laugh-out-loud, toe-tapping triumph that plants itself firmly in your heart. This wildly original musical weaves together gut-busting humor, heartfelt storytelling, and unforgettable songs to create a truly one-of-a-kind theater experience. From the opening number to the final curtain, Shucked is a rollicking celebration of small-town charm and big-hearted dreams. The book, written with razor-sharp wit, delivers punchline after punchline while still packing an emotional punch. Each character feels vibrant and relatable, their quirks and struggles bringing the story of Cobb County to vivid life.

Stage Notes, Dallas Voice: The story is a fairly simple one, but its clever and witty banter gave it a fun freshness. Amid its country music soundtrack, its endless array of corn puns and dad jokes and its rom-com cuteness, Robert Horn’s book and Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally’s music and lyrics blend into a satisfying musical experience with a big heart.

Theresa Bertram, BroadwayWorld: The cast of Shucked is a powerhouse ensemble that delivers laugh after laugh. Time flew by, and I loved every minute of it. Each performer brings a unique energy to their role, creating a dynamic chemistry that drives the show’s humor and heart.

Monica Hooper, Arkansas Democrat Gazette: By the second act of "Shucked," the constant jokes harvest as many groans as giggles. All the jokes are good though. While the constant quips with a pause for laughter wore me out, the rows were still full after the second act. The crowd yukked it up until the end.

Alan Sherrod, Arts Knoxville: Admittedly, that plot is as thin as cornsilk. Fortunately, the story is glued together by two “Storytellers” (Tyler Joseph Ellis and Maya Lagerstam) who act as narrators by filling in plot details for the audience and imparting a really strong presentational energy. They and the excellent ensemble get the show off to a really decent start with “Corn,” a cleverly choreographed number (choreographer Sarah O’Gleby) that is a visual and performance beauty.

Christine Trevino, New City Stage: “Shucked” is all lovable hokeyness. It’s silly, self-aware and more than a little saucy. If you’re on the fence about going, don’t be. It’s never been so fun to consume your vegetables.

Catey Sullivan, Chicago Sun Times: Clark and McAnally’s score, while pleasant and energetic, (the searing power of “Independently Owned” aside), isn’t terribly memorable. Little matter. The cast is good enough to turn pleasant into outstanding. And the fast-flying lyrics are worth paying close attention to. In its titular number, “Shucked” covers 7,000 years of corn history, with a special shoutout to Columbus for bringing “syphilis and smallpox” to the New World and painter Norman Rockwell for featuring corn on many of his various canvases.

Bryna Goeking, Daily Cardinal: The characters are charming, and even when they do bad things it’s hard to be mad. The plot is more of a suggestion than a fact, held together just enough by its narrators. Conflict is mostly used as an opportunity for a catchy dance number or ensemble-backed ballad.

Mark Bretz, LaDue News: The puns are merciless and never-ending and the country-western music proves easy on the ears in this 2023 Broadway musical comedy, now playing in a good-natured, jaunty touring production at The Fabulous Fox.

Alyssa Mutterperi, MD Theatre Guide: The entire cast truly shines, from the ensemble (which, truthfully, is underutilized, especially considering the exceptional talent) to the leading lady. Wade is exactly what you want and need in a comedic lead. Her soaring vocals were beyond impressive, particularly her rendition of 'Maybe Love.' Her charming accent and spot-on comedic timing make her the perfect anchor for this crazy ride.

Jordan Wright, Zebra: What I liked best is that Shucked is a non-stop laugh-a-palooza set to a super catchy score by the brilliant composing duo of Grammy, CMA and 2023 Tony nominee Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally whose multi-Grammy awards and Number #1 hits have had him writing for and/or producing for Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton and Kenny Chesney to name just a few of the country music superstars he’s written for.

Laura Mills, DC Theater Arts: Shucked is a true ensemble piece, and the cast and musicians worked wonderfully together. Robert Horn’s book brings steady pacing with whiplash one-liners, mostly from Peanut (Mike Nappi) and his frequent deep thoughts. In my attempt to stay as spoiler-free as possible, I can safely say that the verbal sparring between Lulu and Gordy was fully charged and damn near explosive. Although the book is unrelentingly corny, it’s the music and lyrics by Grammy-winning Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally that are the heart of the show. The score is a love letter to country music and the art of musical storytelling."

Tavish Young, BroadwayWorld: This big, big show is, at the end of the day, about little things—love, community, and corn. It follows the age-old tale of a young person striking out from their small town into the big world, and learning just how exciting and horrifying the 'real world' can be. It is a comedy through and through. There is nary a minute when a joke, pun, euphemism, or double entendre is uttered. And while this format of dad jokes usually is groan-worthy, these jokes are self-indulgent and witty enough to make that groan a pleasant one.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: In a world where there is always something serious and cynical going on, we could always use something light. Shucked successfully checks all those boxes and brings joy to the audience perfectly.

Elizabeth Cortes, BroadwayWorld: Shucked is definitely corny in all the best ways. Tony-winning director Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, The Sound of Music national tour) brings an air of heart without treacle to the production. If you like an honest-to-goodness musical—and a stupid pun—Shucked will have you grinning from ear to ear."

Katherine Kiessling, Times Union: And while what grew may not go down in musical theater history as a revolutionary work, Shucked offers the Broadway equivalent of a solid popcorn flick: an escapist romp through a maze of love, laughs and corn."

Bill Kellert, Nippertown: 'Shucked’ offers laughs as well as a few groans from the puns and double entendres, and delivers it all by the tractor load. It asks nothing more from its audience than to sit back and enjoy. And isn't that enough?

J. Peter Bergman, The Berkshire Edge: ‘Shucked’ sounds as though it will be a hokey, silly show, but instead it turns out to be a remarkably charming two and a half hours of light musical theater. The jokes, as well as the songs, carry the show into the realm of something special, and it does what so many shows do not do: It returns the word comedy to the honorific ‘Musical Comedy,’ which has almost gotten lost in recent years.

Peter Hall, Buffalo Rising: So, yes, some of the music, costumes, and sets would be at home on “Hee Haw,” and some of the milder, corny puns would be too, but most of the jokes have very thinly veiled sexual references. Not suitable for TV, but the Shea’s audience was in stitches. SHUCKED, by the way, is recommended for ages 10+, but as usual, if you “get” the joke, then you’re old enough. If you don’t “get” the joke, no harm, no foul.

Lynne Menefee, MD Theatre Guide: “Shucked” doesn’t necessarily do any ground-breaking here. You have seen this plot before but the spectacular voices, great humor, and message about love (‘Maybe Love”) offer a joyous and hopeful respite from the challenges of the real world.

Timoth David Copney, BroadwayWorld: I know these are some of the darkest and most dangerous days in our lifetimes. With despair and desperation haunting so many people on the planet, thank the powers that be for letting us forget all that for a couple of hours and wallow in the shallows of some good old fashioned corn porn. To quote another favorite show of mine, ‘ain’t nothing dirty goin’ on.’ And there didn’t need to be. When it’s this funny, with this much amazing talent on stage, just relax and enjoy the corny ride.

Kathy Scrizzi Driscol, Cape Cod Times: “Shucked,” on a Boston stop through April 20 of its North American tour, made me laugh. A lot, and often in spite of better judgment at the most groan-worthy moments in this rapid-fire script of jokes, puns and double entendres. Plus what began life as a “Hee Haw” wannabe titled “Moonshine” includes thoughtful messages at its heart about women’s roles, love, and the value of bringing people together despite mistrust.

Mark Meszoros, The News Herald: “Shucked” has a million of them. If you’re looking for a night chock-full of knee-slapping jokes and toe-tapping tunes, your search concludes at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square.

Roy Berko, BroadwayWorld: Sound like a fantasy? It is. A delightful fantasy that has laughs galore, lots of corny jokes, and wonderful characters. The touring show, under the direction of Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Sarah O’Gleby, is an emotional joy. The singing, dancing, acting, comic timing and preposterous storytelling, all work well.

Joey Morona, Cleveland.com: “Shucked isn’t here to change the world or unlock any deeper truths. But for two and a half hours, it’ll make you laugh, maybe cry, definitely tap your toes. It’s sweet, versatile and guaranteed to pop just like... wait for it... corn!”

Emma Loggins, FanBolt: A personal note here – At a time when our world feels increasingly divided, ‘Shucked’ offers a refreshing reminder of our shared humanity and the power of community. It suggests that sometimes tearing down walls, rather than building them, is the best way forward – a message delivered with such genuine warmth and uproarious humor that you hardly realize you’re being given vegetables with your dessert.

Lawrence Toppman, The Charlotte Ledger: Shucked is a popcorn musical: lively, clunky, handsomely presented, good-natured, emotionally uninvolving, well-performed, overlong, heavily larded with jokes about penises and butts, occasionally quite witty yet frequently repeating aged gags from vaudeville and stand-up comedy. (‘Your horse came in at twenty to one.’ ‘Well, that’s pretty good!’ ‘The other horses came in at 12:30.’) I had a brainlessly good time I can scarcely remember two hours later, as I write this.”

Deborah Bostock-Kelley, BroadwayWorld: From the first beat, the show pulses with energy. The choreography is crisp and full of character, with dancers stomping, spinning, and shuffling through routines that somehow feel both tightly rehearsed and joyously unhinged. Vocally, the cast is phenomenal. Every note lands with clarity and heart, with harmonies that swell and soar and solos that stop you in your tracks. ‘Best Friends’ is a standout with Lulu (Miki Abraham) and Maizy (Danielle Wade)—a tender duet about family and choosing who is your Best Friend. ‘OK’ by melancholy Beau (Jake Odmark) left the audience broken-hearted. ‘Independently Owned’ was another showstopper by Lulu. There truly was only powerhouse standout vocals in the entire ensemble. The soundtrack to this comedy romp was exceptional.

Stephanie Hayes, Tampa Bay Times: But the rude truth of the Tampa gag is always right there, an albatross we can’t seem to shake. If someone as sheltered as Maizy thinks Tampa is a cosmopolitan city, the audience knows it is not. In the show’s context, Tampa is not somewhere a serious person might turn, but rather, a gaudy hotbed of criminals, eccentrics and opportunists.

John Thomason, Boca Magazine: A year from now, will I recall every detail of this comedy of remarriage and its gently delivered message about embracing outsiders rather than viewing them as a threat? Probably not. But there are enough classic—and I do mean classic—jokes crammed into this overlong trifle that I’m likely to quote them long after the show’s specifics have wilted in my memory. That’s why it’s nearly impossible to be bored or disengaged by “Shucked,” even at its most familiar: There’s a linguistic surprise—or two or three or four—on every page.

Rod Stafford Hagwood, South Florida Sun-Sentinel: This is a funny show. Puns aplenty come flying at you like popcorn kernels, and the maize malapropisms will have you all ears (clearly they’re much better at it than we are). If one joke doesn’t land with you, just wait a few seconds for the next ribald ribbing or one-liner — delivered with the same assured rhythm, like some sort of countrified 1930s screwball comedy.

Albert Gutierrez, BroadwayWorld: One reason SHUCKED has been so well received is its masterful balance of tone. Don’t get me wrong, this musical is rife with corny jokes and clever puns and random, pithy asides up the wazoo. It’s an intentionally funny musical with jokes running a mile a minute. However, the knee-slapping comedy of this musical never comes with that wink and a nod that is a tired old sitcom’s bread and butter. The comedy comes mainly from every character playing the straight man. To them, in their world, and in the context of their conversations, nothing is funny. It’s high stakes drama, it’s soap operatic relationship twists, it’s heavy themes of how fear of change creates tradition. And yet, the libretto makes it hilarious. It’s up to the audience to decide what’s funny and what isn’t, not the characters on the stage. As a result, every winning line is earned because it’s not just done for a cheap joke and an easy laugh. The comedy helps serve the story as much as the songs do.

Seth Kubersky , Orlando Weekly: However, it isn’t too long into the first act before this hominy homily starts to reveal some lumps. Robert Horn’s joke-a-minute script extends a storybook-simple plot across two acts by padding it with a parade of age-old gags relying on heartland stereotypes and groan-inducing puns, from PG-13 rated dick humor to dad jokes that were already dated back when they were done on Hee-Haw. There’s no denying the lion’s share of laughs landed with Orlando’s opening night audience — including myself — but they came at the cost of developing any dramatic tension or deeper meanings, beyond “believe in yourself and others.”

Andy Haynes, Attractions Magazine: All told, in a touring Broadway series season here in Orlando dominated by jukebox musicals and 30-year-old shows, “Shucked” is a breath of fresh air. A new musical with modern sensibilities that definitely isn’t afraid of taking itself too seriously, “Shucked” is an absolute delight. If this is the direction and style that new musicals want to take, then I am here for it.

Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star Telgram: “Shucked” is, simply put, arguably the funniest comedy I have ever seen in a theater. At Tuesday’s opening night at Bass Hall I was laughing so hard that I almost apologized to the person sitting next to me for being so loud —until I realized they were laughing every bit as loud as me, as was the next person and so forth throughout the entire theater.

Zach Wetzel, BroadwayWorld: If you like puns, especially corn-related ones, you will find them in SHUCKED! This is a laugh-a-minute (perhaps every 30 seconds!) comedic extravaganza that will leave you hungry for more. I went in completely cold, knowing nothing about the play except that it is corn-centric. But SHUCKED is also a fable and a sweetly optimistic look at shifting cultural norms. Just like shucking corn, watching SHUCKED will unwrap layers of emotional depth as the play progresses. Directed by Jack O'Brien, SHUCKED is deliciously salty popcorn entertainment. The name of the game is fun. O'Brien's staging guarantees that audiences will leave smiling and not be bored for one second. Even someone like myself who enjoys darker material is likely to enjoy the cheesy jokes, and that's impressive.

ErinMarie Reiter, BroadwayWorld: The script is loaded with rapid-fire jokes, but the humor always feels sunny. There’s a rhythm to the writing, a trust that the audience can keep up. If you miss one gag, another’s right behind it. In between all the laughs, the story makes room for sincerity about family, trust, and finding your voice.

Drew Sitton, Downtown News: Kyle Sherman stepped in as Beau, the fiancé of leading lady Maizy (Danielle Wade), on the night I saw it, revealing a stunning tenor voice in reaching solos. In fact, all of the solos showcased the talent of the cast in moving yet always funny serenades. Hearing the show’s most famous anthem, “Independently Owned,” from understudy Cecily Dionne Davis, gave me chills. Davis also had great chemistry with conman Gordy, played by Quinn VanAntwerp, who had the same role on Broadway.

Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune: This show’s apolitical, outrageously silly humor and the warmth of its open-hearted characters make “Shucked” a balm for the soul in today’s deeply divided America. Now playing through Sunday at the San Diego Civic Theatre, “Shucked” features a toe-tapping country music score by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, a corn pun-filled book by Robert Horn and witty, fast-paced direction by Jack O’Brien (former artistic director of San Diego’s The Old Globe). It also features exceptional choreography by Sarah O’Gleby, particularly in the all-male barrel-dancing number “Best Man Wins.”

Socks Whitmore, BroadwayWorld: Shuck’s book and lyrics are stuffed to the ears with heavy-handed puns and bits, most especially from its two self-aware young narrators known as Storyteller 1 & 2, who frequently weave themselves into the action and chime in with cheeky one-liners. The comedy spans from racy to ridiculous, but even when it edges on forced, the performers are met with long laughs and audience delight.

Linda Hodges, BroadwayWorld: SHUCKED hits that rare, sweet spot: warm, funny and a little bit bawdy, with butter-smooth vocals and just the right pinch of saltiness. It earned an instant, unanimous standing O on opening night. Go see it…and if you dare, sneak in some popcorn!

Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle: But resistance is futile. ‘Shucked’ knows that, deep down, you’re just a puerile punster looking for instant gratification, and all it takes is a bombardment of double entendres and one-liners for your true self to rear her yukking, dopey grin.”

Jim Harrington, The Mercury News: What’s the funniest musical that you can think of? ‘Spamalot’? ‘Hairspray’? ‘Mean Girls’? All worthy contenders, for sure. Yet, I laughed harder — and certainly more often — during opening night of ‘Shucked’ at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco than I did while watching any of those other entirely worthy productions. There are 498,735 jokes (give or take) in this 2022 musical, which received nine nominations — including for Best Musical — at the 76th Tony Awards. And roughly 498,736 of jokes work (do the math and you’ll see what I did there) in ‘Shucked,’ which is making its West Coast debut at the Curran.

Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver: Aw shucks, you really should experience this play on your own. If you enjoy a good laugh or a few dozen of them along with a good story filled with song, dance and romance, then this one is for you.

Alex Miller, On Stage Colorado: This one is just pure fun, a musical comedy that dishes up a laugh every 10 seconds or so without worrying too much about how. Puns galore, P&P humor (poop and penis) and folksy-dorky assessments of everything from cliché sayings to small-town romance.

Krista Garver, BroadwayWorld: What makes it work is the cast's fearless commitment to the bit. Storytellers Maya Lagerstam and Joe Moeller expertly guide us through the mayhem with winking self-awareness, while Wade brings genuine charm to Maizy's wide-eyed determination. Miki Abraham lights up the stage as Maizy's Best Friend, Lulu, and Nick Bailey is delightful as her faux-tough-guy fiancé, Beau. But the real MVP is Mike Nappi as Peanut, Maizy's would-be brother-in-law, who delivers the show's most eye-rolling puns with absolute sincerity.

Jay Irwin, BroadwayWorld: Basically, this was delightful, corny fun (yeah, I had to) from beginning to end and should not be missed. And so, with my three-letter rating system, I give Shucked a “so sad I missed this one on Broadway” YAY+. If you want a good time, just go before you miss out on this one. I’ll be sad for you if you let it pass you by. And I may mock you a little too with a hearty “I told you so.”

Sarah Mosqueda, Daily Pilot: With book by Tony-award winner Robert Horn and music and lyrics by country music songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, known for writing songs for artists like Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert, “Shucked” celebrates heartland America and country music with a harvest of corny jokes and a story focused on community.

Michael Quintos, BroadwayWorld: SHUCKED had me laughing heartily at all of its strange shenanigans and down-home humor, that the experience feels like watching a Kristen Wiig sketch on SNL (think Doonese with the weird baby arms) that's so endearingly eccentric and quirky that it's almost (almost) a work of genius.

Christopher Smith, The Orange County Register: Instead of the usual crash-bang upbeat closing number, which basically guarantees a protracted standing ovation and multiple bows for the leads, the show has a quiet ending, then the “Shucked” ensemble come out together, bow, and up come the house lights.

Average Rating: 81.5%