‘Shucked’ at Bass Hall delivers with laughs and strong message
“Shucked” is, simply put, arguably the funniest comedy I have ever seen in a theater. At Tuesday’s opening night at Bass Hall I was laughing so hard that I almost apologized to the person sitting next to me for being so loud —until I realized they were laughing every bit as loud as me, as was the next person and so forth throughout the entire theater.
Inspired by a long-running legendary country comedy TV show, let’s just say “Shucked” is “Hee Haw” and a whole lot more.
It’s also the latest in the Performing Arts Fort Worth Broadway at the Bass Series Presented by PNC Bank. The show is making its Fort Worth debut and runs through Aug. 3.
From the mind of scriptwriter Robert Horn — who won a Tony Award for penning the musical “Tootsie,” along with being nominated for “Shucked” — comes a musical that takes pride in being, well, corny. Nominated for nine Tony Awards (winning one), “Shucked” has elements that appeal to folks from all walks of life.
Of course, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize from the show’s name that the story and accompanying music are in the country vein. But if you think the show is only for people who prefer a good ol’ Hank Williams song to Bruce Springsteen, you’ll be doing yourself an injustice by skipping “Shucked” for that reason.
Open up, see what else the world has to offer and you might be pleasantly and beneficially surprised. That’s a key message among several in “Shucked,” by the way.
I enjoyed every single song in “Shucked.” When I wasn’t nearly busting my side with laughter, I was tapping my toe to a host of the numbers, starting with the bouncy opening song “Corn” and continuing through such greats as “Independently Owned,” and “Best Man Wins” - which also has perhaps the most combustible choreography in the show by Sarah O’Gleby (whose resume’ includes choreographing “Saturday Night Live,” the Tony Awards and Academy Awards).
The original production — which made its world premiere in Dallas in 2015 — was titled “Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical.” But Horn, along with Grammy-winning music creators Brandy Clark and Mineral Wells’ own Shane McAnally, felt they could create something better.
Add in Tony-winning director Jack O’Brien (“Hairspray”) and, sure enough, it turns out they were right.
Narrated by two storytellers (Tyler Joseph Ellis and Maya Lagerstam), the story centers around the community of Cob County, which thrives on its corn production. Just as two of their favorite young folk are preparing to get married, Maizy (Danielle Wade) and Beau (Jake Odmark), the corn crop suddenly begins to wither and die - even as they are at the alter and Beau’s brother Peanut (Mike Nappi) is officiating the event.
In an effort to save the town and their upcoming marriage — they won’t wed until the problem is solved — Maizy does the unthinkable and leaves town in search of an answer. She travels to Tampa and meets a man named Gordy (Quinn Vanantwerp) who calls himself a “corn doctor.”
Unaware that Gordy is a podiatrist and is talking about a different kind of corn, Maizy believes she’s found Cob County’s saviour. Being from a family of conmen and owing some bad fellows money he can’t pay, Gordy sees this as an opportunity to con Maizy and everyone back in her hometown to solve his own dilemma.
On the heels of an argument with Beau, who didn’t want her to go, Maizy finds herself a bit swept away by Gordy. When she tells Beau they kissed, of course a breakup follows.
As part of the con, Gordy convinces Maizy he’s in love with her and they mistakenly become engaged. Knowing he can’t go back to Tampa once he learns the treasure he hoped to dupe the town out of is nothing more than worthless rock, he goes along with the situation.
Things get a bit more complicated when Gordy realizes he actually does have feelings for Maizy’s cousin, the feisty Lulu (Miki Abraham) - who reluctantly finds herself reciprocating.
All the while, the problem with a dissipating corn crop continues. Of course Gordy does not have the answer, but soon he and everyone else in town learn the solution was right in front of them.
While the action onstage rarely slows down, there are some poignant moments, such as Wade’s performance of “Maybe Love” and Odmark’s “Somebody Will.” Abraham is deliciously jolting with “Independently Owned” and her duet of “Friends” with Wade is heartwarming.
The cast clicks wonderfully delivering one zinger after another with absolute precision. It’s impossible to say one is greater than another when the show is littered with unforgettable ditties such as:
*Cob County is a place where Roe versus Wade is a debate about the best way to cross a small river.
*”I was head over heels, which is just standing up.”
*”I’ve known you ever since that day after I didn’t know you.”
*”Family is telling someone to go to Hell and then worrying that they get there safely.”
Amidst it’s abundance of humor and witticism, “Shucked” is a story about love, unity and tolerance. It’s about working together in a time of adversity, about second chances and redemption.
And it’s as hilarious as watching a city slicker try to figure out the difference between a hen and a rooster - reminding us that sometimes this is necessary if we are going to appreciate and respect each other.
As corny as that message might be.