***** We have all heard the expression, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, telling us that until we see what’s inside, we shouldn’t judge! The same could be said about plays. When I heard there was a musical called “shucked”, I thought it might just be like the old TV show, “Hee-Haw” or perhaps a Smothers Brothers type of silly, country bumpkin comedy. Well, shucks! Tonight we were exposed to one of the most hilarious musicals I have ever seen.

While “shucked” is a simple story (book by Robert Horn) and the music and lyrics ( Shane Mcanally and Brandy Clark) are quite “country”, it is indeed a well done story and under the direction of Jack O’Brien with some downhome choreography by Sarah O’Gleby, you are getting two hours and twenty five minutes of pure fun ( and yes, it has a lot of hokey lines, but they are delivered to perfection.

The play has two storytellers, Maya Lagerstam and Tyler Joseph Ellis who have great vocal range, great delivery and are almost on the stage the entire play. It is the wedding day ofMaizy ( a delightful performance by Danielle Wade) and Beau (Jake Odmark nails this role), but the wedding never takes place because the town’s corn supply is bad. Without the corn, they cannot survive, so Maizy heads to Tampa to find someone who can bring back their crop. As she heads to town she spots a sign that leads her to a Corn Doctor  ( a podiatrist) named Gordy ( deftly handled by Quinn Vanantwerp) who is in deep trouble financially. Turns out, Maizey’s grandpa (Erick Pinnick) made a bracelet for her that is made of special rocks, Gordy is told that these rocks are valuable so he tells Maizey that he will come with her to save the corn. Of course, he is after the rocks to sell and pay off his creditors.

He appears to save the corn and Maizey finds herself torn between the two men in her life. He cousin/best friend Lulu ( a spectacular performance by Miki Abraham) who makes whisky out of corn, finds herself falling for Gordy and what we see is a true love story with as it turns out a happily every after, for all! Turns out that small town families are much more supportive than better educated people from major cities. The show is quite funny with many lines that take a few seconds for audience member to truly GET! Once they do, the laughter rips thru the theater and in many cases, you will hear applause for a one liner.

Beau’s brother, Peanut (Mike Nappi is a pure riot) has most of the one liners, although we do get some very special lines from Storyteller Tyler Joseph Ellis, who truly delivers his lines like a down home, aw shucks type of guy! While you will probably not remember the songs or the music, you will remember some of the one-lines and puns as they will stick in your brain and each time you think about that line, you are sure to remember when and how it was delivered. This show is a hoot! I truly think it is worth seeing more than once as I know I missed something while I was laughing.

This show is a great way to start 2025, but is only here until the 19th so I suggest you clear your calendar, go to your computer and order your tickets before they leave town.

“shucked”  performances are as follows: