Washington, DC, is getting shucked on Pennsylvania Avenue — but not for long! The National Tour of the Tony-winning musical Shucked is playing a limited engagement at the National Theatre, bringing exactly what is needed to the DC area: humor, heart, and an abundance of carefree corny content.
Shucked is an American fable that takes place in the fictional town of Cobb County, a community whose livelihood depends entirely on corn. The show kicks off with the opening number packed with exposition, witty wordplay, and delicious corn-ography. Storyteller 1 (Maya Lagerstam) and Storyteller 2 (Nick Raynor) are always ready to interject a playful pun or intercede as a quick side character. The two Storytellers are infectiously joyful, making it impossible not to have a great time.
When the county’s crops mysteriously begin to fail, the spirited and independent Maizy bravely ventures beyond Cobb County in search of help. Danielle Wade as Maizy is a pint-sized powerhouse of comedic timing and crystalline vocals. Wade embodies Maizy’s stubborn optimism, despite the protestations of her beau Beau, played by Jake Odmark. She defies expectation and sets off on a journey beyond the walls of her hometown in order to find something — or someone — to save them. Enter Gordy, a reluctant con man trying to find his place in the world, played by Quinn Vanantwerp. The two find what they’ve been looking for in each other and return to Cobb County, but I’ll leave the rest of the tale to the Storytellers.
Lulu (Miki Abraham) is a one-woman whiskey dynasty and brings unparalleled vocals to the barn-raising “Independently Owned,” proving she is fiercely independent and expressive with her opinions. She quickly smashes expectations and puts Gordy in his place when she says, “We may be simple folks, but there’s a cornfield of difference between simple and stupid. That’s a simple mistake stupid people make.” Another standout musical number, “Best Man Wins,” features Beau, Peanut, and the male ensemble members and choreography by Sarah O’Gleby, utilizing every nearby object at their disposal. My favorite song of the show is “I Do,” performed by Lulu, Beau, Gordy, Maizy, and the Storytellers. It’s the kind of song that sneaks up and grabs you by the heart through its intertwining lines and beautiful harmonies.
Shucked is a true ensemble piece, and the cast and musicians worked wonderfully together. Robert Horn’s book brings steady pacing with whiplash one-liners, mostly from Peanut (Mike Nappi) and his frequent deep thoughts. In my attempt to stay as spoiler-free as possible, I can safely say that the verbal sparring between Lulu and Gordy was fully charged and damn near explosive. Although the book is unrelentingly corny, it’s the music and lyrics by Grammy-winning Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally that are the heart of the show. The score is a love letter to country music and the art of musical storytelling.
The scenic design by Scott Pask is innovative and versatile, using platforms, beams, and barrels that are moved in seamless and often humorous ways, all encapsulated by a proscenium designed as a rustic barn. It is a scaled-down version of the original two-tiered design from the Broadway run in 2023, but it works well for the touring production. The costume design by Tilly Grimes gives a timeless look of worn denim and quilted comfort to the county residents, a stark contrast to the pastel and florals of the outsiders.
This fantastic fable from Cobb County is a fun romp into an animated world of colorful characters, dad jokes, and country music, but more importantly, it gives audiences a much-needed respite from the barrage of breaking headlines. When some in power may demand to build a wall and demand isolation, the creative team gives us a window into a different possibility. I’m reminded that there is more happiness to be had, and it doesn’t have to come at the detriment of others.
Tickets for Shucked at the National Theatre are available for performances through March 2, 2025. Given the show’s popularity and limited run, I highly recommend getting your tickets as soon as possible. But if you can’t make a live performance of this fun show, be sure to stalk the Shucked social media for updates on the planned feature film produced by Mandalay Pictures.
Running Time: Two hours and 15 minutes, including one intermission.
The North American tour of Shucked plays through March 2, 2025, at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington. Tickets ($69–$129) are available online, at the box office, or by calling (202) 628-6161.
The cast and creative credits for the touring production are here.
Shucked is recommended for ages 10+
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COVID Safety: Masks are strongly recommended but not required for all ticket holders. For full COVID protocol, go here.
