The KeyBank Broadway Series ‘Shucked’ pops with puns and heart

With a little research, one finds that there are many different types of humor yet it is a great mystery as to what makes any particular individual laugh. The list includes: Physical, Self Depreciating, Epigrammatic (Witty Wordplay), Topical, Observational, Dark, Blue, Dry, Droll, Farcical, High Brow, Hyperbolic (Exaggerated), Ironic, Juvenile and everyone’s favorite Bodily (let’s here it for fart jokes!).

In the KeyBank Broadway Series of the touring production of the Tony Award winning show “Shucked” we find every single type of humor listed and then some. Despite it’s “Hee-Haw” like connections (book writer Robert Horn’s original concept) it was eventually changed to be a semi-sophisticated show with a strong story line that respects the sensibilities of contemporary audiences rather than a series of country themed sketch comedy acts. That does not mean that some barrel scraping is not done...to wit...my favorite line “Just because you can sprinkle sugar on bull shit does not turn it into a brownie”. To which Peanut replies, “Now you tell me.”

The 2022 Broadway musical features music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally and opened on April 4th of that year. It was on stage through January 14, 2024 receiving nine Tony nominations and winning one for Alex Newell for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Alex is the first openly non-binary performer to be nominated and win a Tony Award. It was also nominated for twelve Drama Desk Awards winning two, again Alex Newell for Best Featured Actor in a Musical as well as Best Music for Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.

Two story tellers (Tyler Joseph Ellis and Maya Lagerstam) tell of the history of Cob County (“Corn”), the yellow grain version of “Brigadoon” where Pilgrims of mixed race and persuasions founded the town and then proceeded to wall it from the outside world with large towering fields of the main moonshine ingredient.

In a large barn, Beau (Jake Odmark) and Maizy (Danielle Wade) are being married by Beau’s best friend, Peanut (Mike Nappi) when suddenly and for no known reason the corn begins to die. The bridal couple postpones the ceremony with Maizy suggesting she go to the big city (Tampa) to find a solution (“Walls”). Beau is against the idea but Maizy leaves anyway.

Arriving in Tampa (“Travelin’ Song”) she sees a sign for a “Corn Doctor” (Podiatrist) whom she mistakenly seeks out. Gordy (Quinn VanAntwerp) comes from a long line of con men but is considered the failed “white sheep” of the family (“Bad”). Currently, he is in deep debt to a member of the mob. When he meets Maizy he sees her bracelet of what appears are precious stones given to her by her grandfather (Erick Pinnick). When the clasp breaks, Gordy offers to fix it but instead takes the bracelet to some shady jewelers who confirm that the stones are valuable. Gordy sees this as a means to get out of debt and after Maizy suddenly kisses him he agrees to go to Cob County. This act of kissing shocks Maizy but she delights in her new found freedom (“Women of the World”).

The two make their way to Cob County where an angry Beau is waiting. An argument ensues between Maizy and Beau as Maizy admits kissing Gordy. Beau stomps off promising that he will find a new love (“Somebody Will”). Maizy ends up at LuLu’s (Miki Abraham) whiskey distillery as Lulu tells her that the mistake was in telling Beau about the kiss, not the kiss itself. Maizy leaves and Gordy arrives trying to sweet-talk Lulu but Lulu is her own woman (“Independently Owned”).

On two phones Gordy receives two separate calls from the jewelers and the mob. From the jewelers they inform him that the stones are not valuable at all and from the mob the boss has died and his debt is cleared. Unfortunately due to the poor cell service he thinks that the stones are still valuable and the mob boss is still out to get him. Overhearing the calls Peanut, Beau and Lulu go to warn Maizy (“Holy Shit”) who refuses to believe them. In her anger, Maizy tells Lulu that her whiskey is bitter which angers Lulu. Finding herself alone, Maizy wonders what love actually is (“Maybe Love”).

As part of his con, Gordy produces a healthy ear of corn to the town (store bought in Tampa) as he reveals that the stones from the bracelet (that are found everywhere) is what is causing the problem of the dying corn. Gordy offers to take all of the stones away which the town agrees to except for Beau, Lulu and Peanut. Gordy kneels to unearth one of the rocks and Maizy misinterprets the action as a proposal and agrees to marry him much to the shock of the town people (“Corn Reprise”).

There is lots to love about this show (think “Book of Mormon” meets “Oklahoma” meets “The Music Man”). To start with, Tyler Joseph Ellis and Maya Lagerstam as Storytellers 2 and 1 are perfect with their sly asides with the audience. Then there is Mike Nappi as Peanut who dispenses home spun corn pone wisdom at the drop of a hat…“I think...if you have enough time to jump in front of a bullet for someone, they have enough time to move.” and “Well...if I had a crystal ball...I would walk different.” Singing standouts include Danielle Wade as Maizy whose Dolly Partonish singing voice works perfectly for the part. Likewise, Miki Abraham as Lulu rocks the joint with “Independently Owned” and Jake Odmark as Beau shines with “Somebody Will” and “OK”. Quinn VanAntwerp as Gordy does well with “Bad”.

Sarah O’Gleby does a great job with the choreography and the small but mighty six piece orchestra under Nick Williams fills the Connor Palace with sound. The show is smartly directed by Jack O’Brien who keeps the action flying fast and furious. The huge barn motif by Scott Pask is awe inspiring. Tilly Grimes costumes with their distressed patchwork is a great fit for the show. Japhy Weideman gives us great lighting design that centers our attention and John Shiver’s sound design has everyone sounding crisp and clear.

If you get to the kernel of the matter this is one corny but truly funny show with a purpose. Mixed in with the treasure trove of one liners and dad jokes is a story of family, friendship and basic values all neatly dovetailed between songs that advance the story. If you are looking for a good laugh with a lot of heart go see this show.

The KeyBank Broadway Series production of “Shucked” will be on stage in the Connor Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio through May 11, 2025. for more information and tickets go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.