Shucked is the new musical that kicked off a theatre run on April 1 and runs through April 6 at the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center as part of the Hippodrome Broadway Series in Baltimore.
The story begins interestingly enough in a fictional place called Cobb County (not to be confused with the actual Cobb County in Georgia), where all its residents’ happiness and joy revolve around corn. A pair of storytellers (Tyler Joseph Ellis and Maya Lagerstam) prepare us for the corny tale that rocked their rural utopia. Corn begins to wither out of nowhere, and nobody knows what to do about it. Two local lovebirds, Maizy (Danielle Wade) and Beau (Jake Odmark), were on the cusp of getting married before the corn drama overtook the town. Maizy was the only one brave enough to leave to seek help, and that’s where the story truly begins.
Humor was injected into every crack and crevice of this musical, and no topic was spared. Not for one second did I ever think watching people wax idiotic about corn could be turned into such a great musical. As someone who’s a massive fan of dad jokes, the corn puns were well received. From Peanut’s (Mike Nappi) delayed thought process to smart quips from Maizy’s cousin Lulu (Miki Abraham), the performances were beyond entertaining.
The writing was phenomenal, taking a simple concept like corn and making an entire production around the ingredient we can’t get enough of (corn starch, corn syrup, etc). Ready to tackle controversial topics (“Roe v Wade is a debate on the best way to cross the river”) and poke fun at major cities (cue an entire song about Tampa and poking fun at the age range and attire), Shucked is different than any musical you’ve seen before.
The scene design laid the groundwork for a true country environment. From pickup trucks and catalytic converters to corn stalks and all the fun that comes with Tampa, the stage effortlessly shifted from rural oasis to big city past its prime. The singing was on point as well, with the opening number finishing to a thunderous applause, and the song, “I Do” boasted a soulful, four-part harmony. I can also say, as this is my introductory performance to the Hippodrome, the theatre boasts sublime acoustics, enhancing the overall experience of the production.
Shucked gets a 9 out of 10. The Tony Award®-winning musical comedy is an instant hit. The comedy is a big win for scenic designer Scott Pask and a graceful “welcome home” for Baltimore County local Erick Pinnick, who plays Grandpa in the musical. One thing I’ll add is that, unlike what I’ve seen marketed, this is absolutely not ok for ages 10+. If this were a film, it would be rated R. While it’s definitely a comedy and focuses on something as innocent as corn, it’s full of explicit language, sexual innuendo, and at one point, pokes fun at a “meth head”. So leave the kids at home for this one and enjoy a fun night in Baltimore!
Find tickets HERE
-Jon Jones