‘Shucked’ Theater Review: Corny Humor With Heart

The new musical Shucked is that rare thing on Broadway these days – neither a revival of a 50s musical or inspired by the life of a pop star. It’s a thoroughly original – and thoroughly corny – Broadway crowdpleaser.

In the show, the citizens of the fictional Cob County – pun intended! – make their livelihoods from corn, existing completely isolated from modern life. When the crops suddenly stop producing, Maizy (Caroline Innerbichler) decides to venture to the big city – Tampa, no less! – in search of a cure. There, she meets con man Gordy (John Behlmann), who returns with her in search of the gemstones he believes to be plentiful there.

Mazy’s boyfriend Beau (Andrew Durand) and sassy cousin Lulu (Alex Newell) vie to break up Mazy and Gordy, serving as amusing comic foils along the way.

With music by country team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, Shucked offers some catchy tunes and beats you into submission with endless dad jokes. High-minded it is not, but Shucked offers plenty of audience-pleasing moments and cornpone fun.  

Shucked is now playing at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre. Get tickets here!