By Keolanani Kinghorn
Shucked is a new musical comedy written byTony-Award-winning playwright opening at Pioneer Theater Company in Salt Lake City and you don’t want to miss this one. Shucked proves sometimes tearing down a few walls, rather than growing them, is the only way to preserve our way of life. Since this is a Broadway bound show, Pioneer Theatre Company audiences can boast that they saw this show first—before even New York audiences.
With book by Robert Horn, and Grammy-nominated songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (music and lyrics) and directed by three-time-Tony-Award-winning Jack O’Brien Shucked opens with “Corn”, a big number by the full company, including delightful Nashville singers, and choreographed by Sarah O’Gleby. Storytellers Ashley D. Kelley and Taylor Trensch introduce the audience to Corn Cob County. The fantastic huge barn set, with scenic design by Scott Pask, is where the town faces a crisis that threatens their livelihood: the corn is dying. In ”Corn”, we are introduced to the town’s favorite young couple, Maizy (Caroline Innerbichler) and Beau (Andrew Durand)who share a sweet duet in the middle of the opening as they write their vows to each other for their upcoming nuptials. We are also introduced to Lulu (Alex Newell)—Maizy’s cousin—who gets to show off the iconic high notes Newell is known for, and Beau’s brother Peanut (Kevin Cahoon)who offers advice and comic relief to every situation he enters. When the town realizes their way of life is threatened, Maizy steps up to find a solution and leaves to find help in the big city (Tampa, Florida). She ends up finding a local con man, Gordy (John Behlmann), who takes advantage of her naivete, and seeing a chance to solve a little financial problem of his own, follows Maizy back, conveniently capturing her heart along the way. It’s a hoe-down with puns and non-stop jokes, leading up to its raucous, yet heart-warming conclusion.
Costume design was done by Tilly Grimes, Hair and Wig Design by Mia Neal, Sound design by John Shivers, and Lighting design by Japhy Weideman. Their work creates a down-home spectacle you’ll love.
The audience loved this show. The laughs were so abundant that it sometimes felt like the set of a live sitcom show—but in the best way—the actors and actresses are constantly pausing for laughs. Storytellers Trensch and Kelley, are so great with their comedic timing, and it is crucial since they are constantly breaking the fourth wall to tell jokes to the audience. Cahoon is a comedic genius; Horn wrote some hilarious lines for his character, Peanut, but Cahoon’s delivery is nuanced and slick. He takes his one-liners to a new level.
Innerbichler delighted me with her country charm, jokes, and perfect twang in her singing. She can belt with the best of them, but her emotional complexity and range as an actress are so impressive. Durand has a voice that I could listen to for days. When the ensemble backs him up in “Somebody Will,” his vocal riffs are incredible. And his solo, “I’ll Be OK” might just break your heart in the second act.
I have to say that my favorite song, hands down was Newell’s solo “Independently Owned…[and Operated].” If there was a recording of it, I would buy it today, and I can see it instantly being fan favorite anthem for independent women. Newell slays it with the modulation midway through the song. One of my favorite quotes in the show also came from Newell’s character, Lulu: “Being in a family is telling someone to go to Hell and then worrying that they will get there safely.”
This show is a home run and only runs until November 12th before it heads to Broadway. I highly suggest seeing it before it leaves Utah and you’ll miss your opportunity to see it in the beautiful Pioneer Theater. If you wait, you have to pay for a plane ticket and a higher price on Broadway to see such an amazing show. What I took from this show is that we all need community and the love that comes from communities that support each other, and yes—we will sometimes make mistakes, need to make amends, and need to embrace change, but with a little faith and trust we can get through anything together.
Content Advisory
Language: There is some mild language and a few innuendos
Rating: If this was a movie, Shucked would be rated “PG-13”
Pioneer Theatre Company presents Shucked, Book by Robert Horn, Music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112
October 28 – November 12, 2022, Monday—Thursday, 7:00 PM, Friday-Saturday, 7:30 PM, Saturday, 2 PM, ASL-interpreted performance Saturday, November 12 2:00 PM. Please contact the box office 801-581-6961 for more information.
Tickets : Main Floor/Loge $72 (day of show $77), Back of Main Floor/Back of Loge $48 (day of show $53)
Contact: 801-581-6961
Pioneer Theatre Company’s Website
Pioneer Theatre Company’s Facebook Page
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