by DOWNTOWN On August 17, San Diego will be sucked through. Broadway San Diego’s 47th season features the Tony Award-winning comedic musical at the Civic Theatre.
Despite being the season’s only unique work, it has recognizable truths about love, family, and community.
There are several funny lyrics in the Shucked soundtrack, which was written by Grammy Award-winning songwriting pair Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. The first song, “Corn,” sings “Candy corn, kettle corn, put it in your mouth / It’s the same going in comin out.”
The visual cheesy innuendo that was absent from the soundtrack alone was abundant when watching the musical live. Additionally, unlike many protagonists, Beau’s brother Peanut (played by Mike Nappi), the love interest, did not get a solo. Instead, he frequently makes amusing asides in Robert Horn’s novel as a literal-minded hick with a heart of gold (en corn).
Although there is some contrast between the people of Cobb County and the city dwellers of Tampa, the show takes care to emphasize that the proud rural community is simple by choice rather than by stupidity.
Before the tour arrived in San Diego, Tyler Joseph Ellis (Storyteller #2) stated over the phone that when comedy is smart, you don’t have to offend. We can all laugh at this because it’s a well-made musical comedy, which is, in my opinion, what makes the show so successful and why it’s doing well on tour.
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Former San Diego’s Old Globe director Jack O. Brien delivered jokes with great timing and rhythm.
While rolling props distinguished each site, Scott Pask’s scenic design, which remained consistent throughout, was stunning and took place in a holey barn with corn and the sky outside. Japhy Weideman’s subtle lighting did not draw attention away. The residents of Tampa and Cobb County wore Mia Neal wigs and Tilly Grimes costumes. Jason Howland’s music direction and John Shivers’ sound design were excellent.
Together with the group’s superb dancing, Sarah O. Gleby’s choreography brought accidents and inebriated antics to life.
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On the night I watched it, Kyle Sherman played Beau, the fiancé of leading lady Maizy (Danielle Wade), and in her high-pitched solos, she had a beautiful tenor voice. Actually, every solo demonstrated the cast’s ability to perform heartfelt yet consistently humorous serenades. When understudy Cecily Dionne Davis performed the show’s most well-known hymn, Independently Owned, I got shivers.
Additionally, Davis got along well with Quinn VanAntwerp’s character, the con artist Gordy, who played the same part on Broadway.
It’s intended to be viewed that way if none of this clarifies the plot of the farm-to-fable musical. With the assurance that the program will provide a delightful, cheesy experience, let the plot develop naturally.
Bringing precise physical humor to his job as narrator, Ellis stated, “It’s best to go in not knowing exactly what you’re in for.”
Purchase tickets online if you want to see the new production with its original director and a top-tier cast.
