The question folks have been asking: What is “Shucked” about?
Glad you asked. The answer is corn.
If you’re going to see “Shucked” at the Providence Performing Arts Center – and you should – be prepared to laugh. In cases, laugh hard.
The emphasis is on comedy in this musical comedy, which launches its first national tour from PPAC. The story is simple. The folks in Cob County live and breathe corn. In fact, after exchanging a kiss, one character says of another, “He tasted like corn.”
But something’s happening to the corn. It’s dying. And if it dies, Cob County goes with it. Someone has to leave – and no one ever leaves Cob County – to find a way to save the corn.
Maizy (Danielle Wade) packs up and travels to Tampa, where she finds the Corn Doctor, Gordy (Quinn Van Antwerp). His “corn” specialty relates to feet, but he’s also a con man who’s deep in debt to some nefarious characters. When Maizy tells her story and shows him a necklace made of purple stones that Gordy believes are valuable, Gordy seizes the opportunity to get out of town and score big.
Can this sleazy corn man save the day? “Shucked” is a musical comedy, so anything can happen, right?
Bottom line: “Shucked” is nonsensical and flat out hilarious. I am a notoriously tough audience, and I was laughing from the start.
The jokes fly. Some are old jokes, but they work. Some are in the style of “Airplane!,” but they work. My favorite character was Peanut (Mike Nappi). He gets several showcase moments with a series of “I thinks…” I won’t share any of them – you have to experience them yourself.
There are also some subtle jokes too. For instance, in the “Ballad of the Rocks” that opens the second act, you’ll hear a touch of “Purple Rain” while they sing about purple rocks.
There is music, of course. Some of it quite good. “Somebody Will,” sung by Beau (Jake Odmark) is a stirring ballad. And “Friends,” sung by Maizy and Lulu (Miki Abraham) is a wonderful duet.
My favorite is “Independently Owned,” a damn-near showstopper sung by Lulu.
This is truly an ensemble show, emphasized by the cast taking their bows as a group. It’s tough to say any one actor was the show’s star. Even the unnamed ensemble members have chances to stand out.
But let’s give a nod to a few of them anyway.
First, the Storytellers, Maya Lagerstam and Tyler Joseph Ellis. They serve as the show’s narrators, and play a few “parts” throughout, like mobsters, and Tampa jewelers, and a palm tree and candelabra. They work perfectly together and are simply delightful.
Then there’s Miki Abraham as Lulu, Maizy’s cousin and a whiskey distiller. She serves up some of the show’s raunchiest jokes, getting some of the show’s biggest laughs. Her delivery is spot-on, thanks to the strength of her characterization.
The press releases for “Shucked” put the show on a par with “Book of Mormon,” and I would have to agree. It’s simple, it’s funny, it’s heartfelt. Everything you want from a musical comedy, and more.
Yes, it’s corny. (Sorry, had to go there.)
[“Shucked’ runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Good seats are still available. For tickets and information, call the box office at 401.421.ARTS, or visit www.ppacri.org.)
