Courtesy of Hennepin Arts
“Shucked,” now playing at the Orpheum in Minneapolis through Jan. 11, is a Tony Award-winning musical comedy that embraces the beauty of being a little corny. In the isolated, corn-obsessed Cob County, the crops suddenly begin to die, forcing the determined Maizy to delay her wedding to Beau and venture into the outside world for help. She finds Gordy, a Florida con man masquerading as a “corn doctor,” and brings him home. Packed with puns and Nashville-worthy tunes, it’s a hilarious, heartfelt fable about opening your mind, saving your community, and finding love in unexpected places.
Our evening is guided by two spirited Storytellers, played by Maya Lagerstrom and Joe Moeller, who shine as they adeptly narrate the action and navigate us through a few intentionally corny situations with charm and agility. At the heart of this tale of love lost and found, however, is the bond between brothers that truly defines family in Cob County. Beau (Nick Bailey) and Peanut (Mike Nappi) form the delightful, comedic bedrock of this brotherhood. Beau, the sturdy, traditional leading man, perfectly plays the straight man to Peanut’s eccentric, stream-of-consciousness energy. Their dynamic is a classic pairing of the grounded and the goofy, proving that true friendship means embracing each other’s quirks, even when the corn chips are down. Bailey delivers a rousing, soul-stirring rendition of the ballad “Somebody Will,” infusing the song with a raw vulnerability and vocal power that elevates the entire production. His performance is a standout moment of pure, heartfelt artistry.
Mikki Abraham is a revelation as Lulu, Maizy’s fiercely independent, whiskey-distilling cousin. With a sharp tongue and a hidden heart of gold, they serve as the community’s skeptical voice of reason. Abraham delivers powerhouse vocals, particularly in the showstopping “Independently Owned.” Taking on the role that won Alex Newell a Tony, they confidently make the rendition entirely their own, eventually revealing a surprising and touching capacity for openness and connection.
Courtesy of Hennepin Arts
“Shucked” boasts an infectious, foot-tapping score by country music powerhouses Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, paired with a script by Robert Horn that delivers relentless humor and heart. Clark and McAnally also provide the easygoing lyrics that give the show its authentic Nashville soul.
The visual aesthetic is anchored by Scott Pask’s imaginative scenic design, featuring a massive, versatile barn structure that dominates the single set. This rustic framework is beautifully elevated by the warm, evocative glow of Japhy Weidman’s lighting. Tilly Grimes delivers colorful, distinctively down-home costumes that immediately define the characters as they two-step through the corn. Sarah O’Gleby’s choreography captures the kinetic spirit of the community, peaking in the rousing, foot-stomping hoedown “Best Man Wins,” which highlights the male ensemble at their absolute best.
Although “Shucked” debuted just a few years ago in 2023, its spirit is rooted in classic musical theater comedy, delivered with a delightful, knowing wink to the legacy of “Hee Haw,” the television comedy-variety show. As “Shucked” reminds us early on, corn is, well, “the same going in as coming out.” You can expect to leave the Orpheum feeling a little lighter, a little happier, and perhaps just a touch cornier than when you arrived.
“Shucked” plays at the Orpheum through Jan. 11; tickets available at hennepinarts.org.
Courtesy of Hennepin Arts
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