‘Shucked’ is a wild mix of brilliance and ridiculousness

The Wharton Center’s first Broadway show of the new year is like a feast with an abundance of gourmet dishes and the occasional bean casserole made with canned soup. “Shucked” is a wild mix of belly laughs, eye rolls, brilliance and ridiculousness.

Everyone who experiences the musical, running through Sunday (Jan. 26), will be amused and entertained by it. At times, with its groaner puns and country-bumpkin style, the show seems like it would be just right for a high school play. But then there are the sexual innuendos and a song called “Holy Shit.” Sometimes, the campy musical is reminiscent of an inane “Hee Haw” episode with Junior Samples, and other times, the humor has the cleverness of a “Police Squad!” episode with Leslie Nielsen.

Making puns and telling jokes is a significant part of “Shucked.” They might be silly, gross, witty or something you wouldn’t dare to share at a crowded Thanksgiving dinner table. Often, the one-liners seem to have been stolen from social media memes. But every now and then, there’s a zinger that can make even a reviewer snort.

The musical also has potent songs by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, like “Somebody Will” and “Friends.” There are also throwaway tunes, like (surprise!) “Holy Shit,” but with the powerhouse voices of cast members such as Danielle Wade (Maizy), Miki Abraham (Lulu) and Jake Odmark (Beau), every song in “Shucked” is mighty.

After debuting on Broadway in 2023, “Shucked” earned nine Tony Award nominations, including best musical. The touring cast features another potent singer, Quinn VanAntwerp, who was in the Broadway cast. He plays the tall, dastardly villain, Gordy, whom we can’t help but like.         

Robert Horn’s plot follows a predictable melodrama formula that becomes more likable because we like the characters. Even the two Storytellers (Tyler Joseph Ellis and Maya Lagerstam), who are mostly there to explain the obvious before every scene, are charming.

The massive barn-shell backdrop is perfect for a story about corn growers and enthusiasts. Props are simple and sparse, and costumes are ordinary. The ever-shifting lighting by Japhy Weideman is spectacular. The infrequent-for-a-musical dance numbers are fun additions, but the choreography isn’t dazzling or especially athletic.

The show runs for 135 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission, but it never seems tedious. It’s fast-paced — at times, so much so that the dialogue can be hard to catch. 

Sure, the cartoonish musical is spottier than Minnie Mouse’s dress. But when the funniest punch lines landed or a singer belted out a song, even a long drive on the icy, snowy roads was worth it.