By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media

“I think, that a paper plane that doesn’t fly is just stationary,” “I think, I think, that politicians and diapers need to be changed regularly, and for the same reason.” “Remember when I peed in the pool? The lifeguard yelled so loud I almost fell in.” “Brother, remember when we were kids, building sand castles with grandma—until grandpa told us to put her back in the urn. And so it goes, one hilarious one liner after another mixed in with song, dance and romance in this endearing Broadway musical comedy, ‘Shucked’ currently playing the Buell Theatre at the DCPA through October 19, 2025

I really wasn’t sure what to expect with a play that made no pretense as to how corny and silly it was. The production uses every pun and innuendo related to corn that you can think of. A-maize-ing, was the one missing from the play but it was the word the audience was speaking out loud and laughing with as they left the theatre.

Shucked is a Tony Award winning musical with music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and a book by Robert Horn. It is part, Green Acres and part Hee Haw, for those who can remember those TV sitcoms for the mid 1960’s.

Maizy, (Danielle Wade) the play’s lead character, is from the tight knit town of Cob County. The rural town is quite isolated and its residents rarely leave the area. But, when the corn starts dying the town is at a loss of how to fix the one crop they are totally dependant upon. Beau (Jake Odmark) is Maizy’s fiance and the wedding is about to take place but when the corn crisis hits everything is put on hold. When Beau fails to solve the problem an overly naive Maizy decides she will leave to the outside world and find someone who can help them.

She finds her way to the beach town of Tampa, Florida where she come across a store sign that reads “Corn Doctor”. Thinking she has found her answer, she encounters Gordy (Quinn Vanantwerp) who is actually a podiatrist of sorts. Gordy is a shyster, deep in debt to his sports bookie and at risk of being harmed or even killed. When he sees the bracelet of gems on Maizy’s wrist and realizes her hometown is filled with these rocks, he believes he has found a way to save himself.

Gordy wins Maizy over, convincing her, he can save her town. But, when they kiss everything gets complicated and the townsfolk and especially a heartbroken Beau are suspicious of Gordy’s intentions.

What follows is an endearing tale of how it all turns out. The fable is told by two story tellers, Tyler Joseph Ellis and Maya Lagerstam. Aside from all the “laugh out loud” jokes the songs are incredible and the acting convincing. The audience comes to develop feelings for the characters, especially for a confused Maizy, who is torn between two fiancees. Her cousin, Lulu (Miki Abraham) tries to help her with her dilemma but ends up creating one of her own.

Aw shucks, you really should experience this play on your own. If you enjoy a good laugh or a few dozen of them along with a good story filled with song, dance and romance, then this one is for you.

Shucked, choreographed by Sarah O’Gleby and directed by Jack O’brien plays the Buell Theatre through October 19, 2025.

Shucked won the Tony Award in 2023 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical and was nominated for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Robert Horn), Best Original Score (Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally), Best Direction of a Musical (Jack O’Brien), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Scott Pask), Best Sound Design of a Musical (John Shivers), and Best Orchestrations (Jason Howland). 

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