By ANNE SIEGEL, Exclusive to Theatrecriticism.com
MILWAUKEE – Okay, we’re not Iowa. But when the Broadway national tour of Shucked opened this week in Madison, WI – the Wisconsin state capitol – it attracted more theatergoers than the number of deer grazing in an acre of corn.
When Shucked ended its respectable Broadway run in 2024, it had earned a Tony Award for cast member Alex Newell, who won fame as Lulu for her rendition of the hit number, “Independently Owned.” In all, the show was nominated for nine Tony Awards, and it earned respectful notices by New York theater critics, too.
The critics raved about the show’s “originality,” despite the fact that it got its start as a musical version of the old TV show, “Hee Haw.”
Well, Shucked has come a long way from its “Hee Haw” days, and its Wisconsin premiere was eagerly anticipated by Madison theater patrons at the Overture Center. Not only is Madison the state capitol, it’s also a college town filled with eggheads who teach at the nearby University of Wisconsin-Madison (yes, the university has a famed agricultural division. Would-be writers can even major in agricultural journalism, should they so desire.)
In case you were still wondering, Shucked is all about growing corn. Yes, the show is brimming with “corny” jokes, many told by one of the characters. The show’s set looks like the innards of a dilapidated barn (set design by Scott Pask), with plenty of gaps between the wooden boards to expose a horizon of corn in the distance, as well as spectacular lighting effects (by Japhy Weideman). Utilitarian commercial lights hang down from the ceiling, ostensibly to provide a light source. But in order for this show to work, the true “lighting” must come from within the characters populating Cob County.
Farm Fans Enjoy Every Kernel of ‘Shucked’
In a state that produces the third biggest corn crop in the country, any musical that has the sweet smell of hybrid corn is going to be a hit. In this case, the young, fresh-faced farmers in Shucked are liable to inspire a local fan club. Theatergoers who attended the tour’s opening night didn’t seem put off by the show’s “country hick” attitude, nor at the farm-inspired wardrobe of its cast (costumes by Tilly Grimes).
Looking at the crowd on this bitterly cold opening night, one could see numerous hooded parkas, thick, padded gloves jeans and heavy boots. There wasn’t a teensy, beaded black dress in sight. Shucked continues at the Overture Center through February 9.
The musical was written by Robert Horn (Tootsie), with music and lyrics by established country music writers Brandy Clark and Shan McAnally. Music direction was provided by Nick Williams.
The show opens with an outstanding production number, “Corn.” At one point, when the cast isn’t actually dancing, it lines up a row of corn cobs to do some fancy “cobwork” of their own. This zany but effective device (by choreographer Sarah O’Gleby and probably director Jack O’Brien) is sure to delight kids and older audience members alike. It will be remembered long after plot details have evaporated from memory.
Since the Broadway show has closed, two of the tour’s cast members are part of the show’s Broadway run. Miki Abraham does a lovely turn as Lulu, a cousin of the show’s heroine, Maizy (Danielle Wade). Also, Quinn VanAntwerp reprises his Broadway role as con man Gordy. It takes some savvy actors and singers to pull off this ensemble piece, and performers with marquee names are certainly not required.
The entire touring cast is pitch-perfect in its efforts to tell the tale of a very small, isolated community. The characters are about as believable as they can be in this goofy fable. Every opportunity to tell a corn-related joke is part of the fun, despite the fact that these “dad jokes” are more often groaners than truly hilarious. As the show progresses, some of the dialogue veers into semi-raunchy territory, making this show more suited for teens and older theatergoers. Although most of the double-entendres will sail over younger kids’ heads, some of the dialogue isn’t what you’d want your kids repeating at school the next day.
The musical has a lot of heart, and that’s a compliment. Maizy, the main character, wants to emerge from her rural town to experience the wider world. Her boyfriend Beau (a strapping and handsome Jake Odmark) can’t imagine his childhood sweetheart striking out on her own. But when a mysterious source starts causing the corn to fail, Maizy is convinced that she has to do Something.
As one female resident reminds her male partner, “the rooster crows, but it’s the hen that delivers the goods.”
Without explaining why, Maizy uses various forms of transportation to end up in Tampa. As one can imagine, the sights and sounds are both wonderful and perplexing to a sheltered country girl. Maizy is so sweet and innocent, she can’t help but fall under the spell of a shady podiatrist (who advertises his services as a “corn doctor”). Gordy returns with Maizy and quickly finds a way to profit from Cob County’s dilemma. In a musical number that pays tribute to The Music Man’s Harold Hill, he gets everyone in town excited about his plans to make the corn thrive again. Maizy is so overwhelmed by his charisma that she agrees to marry him (although he never really asked her).
Shucked is full of contemporary culture references, including a clover one to Prince’s song, “Purple Rain.”
The now-sullen Beau thinks he can’t compete with the fast-talking city slicker. He and “the boys” pump up each other’s ego, however, during a couple of fun tunes. Beau decides to win back Maizy at any cost. Of course, the ending to this story is foretold in the show’s first scene, in which Maizy and Beau are about to be hitched before the corn trouble begins.
The fun of Shucked lies in watching the characters (mainly, Maizy, Beau, Lulu and Gordy) learn something about themselves. Even the immature Peanut (Mike Nappi), whose brain probably inspired his nickname, can see the value of what’s around him. In the end, all the residents of Cob County realize they are more fortunate than they know. Whether they are actual kin or not, they know they can depend on each other no matter what comes.
Much of the charm in Shucked can be credited to the show’s clever book and music, integrated by veteran director Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, The Full Monty, The Piano Lesson). The cast dives into the material with gleeful energy, making this musical a nearly irresistible entertainment.
Shucked (2 hours, 30 minutes with one intermission) continues through February 9 at Madison’s Overture Center at 201 State Street. The touing show appears as part of the center’s Broadway series. For tickets, click here or call 608-258-4141.
