Corn, weddings and valuable minerals may not have much in common. However, one thing they share is that they are features of “Shucked,” the hilarious, pun-filled musical playing at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center from May 13-18, 2025. Tickets are available for purchase here.
“Shucked” begins with the two narrators, referred to as Storyteller One (Maya Lagerstam) and Storyteller Two (Tyler Joseph Ellis), setting the scene for the tale. They explain that the show revolves around a small town in the fictional Cob County, where the citizens are just as obsessed with corn as they are suspicious of outsiders. Tragedy strikes as the headstrong Maizy (Danielle Wade) and down to earth Beau (Jake Odmark) say their wedding vows; the corn starts dying. It’s up to Maizy to go to the outside world to find someone to revive the corn, despite the hesitance of other Cob County residents, including her cousin, Lulu (Miki Abraham).
She ultimately decides to travel to Tampa, where she meets Gordy (Quinn VanAntwerp), a con man who is in desperate need of some money to pay off a debt to the mob. He tricks Maizy into bringing him back to Cob County with her, claiming that he can fix the corn. In reality, he wishes to make his fortune by exploiting Cob County for the valuable minerals covering the town. Gordy’s arrival leads to drama in the town as the townspeople learn to reconcile their fear of outsiders with their desire to revive the corn, and as Maizy struggles to decide what she really wants from her life.
While the story may sound absurd, its absurdity makes for a comedy show that has deep commentary on society hidden beneath puns, lewd jokes and songs about corn. Unity is a key theme in “Shucked.” The town is only able to solve the corn crisis when they start trusting Gordy and work together to remove the rocks blocking water from reaching the soil. Even though their self-imposed isolation nearly prevents the corn from being saved, the townspeople’s fierce loyalty to each other is an inspiring message on the importance of community.
The importance of family is also a prevalent theme throughout the show. It can be seen in the relationship between Maizy and LuLu, who support each other throughout the drama that unfolds, even though they may disapprove of each other’s choices. Beau and his brother, Peanut (Mike Nappi), also demonstrate this unity through their interactions. Peanut does whatever he can to lift Beau’s spirits after Maizy breaks off her engagement to Beau. He’s there to make Beau laugh and encourages Beau to go after Maizy.
Though the family members offer advice to the central characters as to what they should do about the conflict, “Shucked” makes it clear that an individual should make their own decisions regarding their life. Maizy defies everyone’s advice to not rock the boat and ends up saving the town. While Beau eventually chooses to win Maizy back, he initially decides to walk away from her in order to find someone that will recognize his value as a person. When he does decide to win Maizy back, it’s because of his own decision and planning, not through the scheming of others.
This tale of love, family and ubiquitous corn is brought to live through the amazing “Shucked” cast. The performers perfectly delivered witty one-liners and blew the audience away with their vocals during serious ballads. “Shucked” is sure to leave the audience laughing and with a new understanding of the importance of unity, as well as a newfound appreciation for that most magical of starches: corn.
