Write-Up by: Bailey Guinigundo
Photos by: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
(Walt Disney Theatre, Orlando FL) Shucked, the corny (in the best way) Broadway musical, kicked off its 6-night run of laughs, charm, and some powerhouse vocals to the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando—and the result was a delightfully offbeat night of theater. Known for its self-aware humor and small-town quirks, this musical leaned hard into its rural setting and delivered an evening filled with witty one-liners, surprising emotional moments, and a cast that knew how to play to the crowd.
From the start, the show leaned fully into its identity: an unapologetically pun-filled, tongue-in-cheek celebration of corn—literally and figuratively. The jokes came fast and, yes, frequently corny, but the delivery was sharp and consistently funny. The true comedic glue of the night came from the ever-present Storytellers 1 and 2 (portrayed by Maya Lagerstam and Tyler Joseph Ellis), who masterfully navigated the fourth wall with sly commentary, deadpan delivery, and a chemistry that never missed a beat. They kept the pace zipping along and helped keep the humor fresh, even when the jokes treaded into obvious territory.
Vocally, the standouts were hands down Lulu (portrayed by Miki Abraham) and Beau (portrayed by Jake Odmark). Their performances offered more than just laughs—they brought real vocal power and emotional depth to the stage. Abraham's solo moments were packed with soul and range, while Odmark's numbers offered a grounded and heartfelt contrast. When paired together, their voices blended in rich harmonies that elevated the material and brought authenticity to the show’s more tender moments. These two didn’t just hold their own—they stole the show.
The musical’s highlights came during its most musically intimate numbers. “Maybe Love” showcased warm harmonies and a genuine emotional pulse, revealing the vulnerability behind the satire. “I Do” offered a touching duet that balanced sincerity with humor—a tricky tone that this show often navigated well. “Friends” was a crowd favorite, filled with rich vocal layering and heartfelt connection. Each song served to showcase the vocal talents of the cast, particularly Abraham and Odmark, whose delivery turned catchy tunes into emotional touchstones.
Though central to the story, Maizy (Danielle Wade) and Gordy (Quinn Vanantwerp) were harder to connect with on a personal level. The show’s structure leaned heavily on musical numbers, which often replaced opportunities for deeper character development through dialogue. As a result, the audience didn’t get quite enough time to build a bond with either of them, making their emotional journey feel somewhat secondary to the humor and music.
Peanut (Mike Nappi), the quirky and unpredictable side character, delivered consistent laughs and zany energy. He was a highlight in nearly every scene he appeared in, proving that even the smallest roles can make a big impact.
The choreography was minimal—this isn’t a dance-heavy production—and while that’s not a drawback per se, those expecting traditional Broadway razzle-dazzle might find it lacking in that area. Also, adult-oriented jokes were peppered throughout, often cleverly disguised in double entendre, which kept the show edgy and entertaining for adult audiences while still maintaining a light, playful tone.
Compared to more traditional Broadway musicals, Shucked carved out a different space—less spectacle, more sass. Where musicals like Oklahoma! or The Music Man leaned into classic storytelling and large ensemble numbers, Shucked broke the mold with rapid-fire punchlines, meta-humor, and a modern sensibility. It’s not trying to be timeless; it’s trying to be now—and it succeeded.
Shucked is a refreshing and hilarious spin on the Broadway formula, offering big laughs, strong musical moments, and standout performances—especially from (Miki Abraham) and Beau (Jake Odmark). While the central romantic storyline doesn’t fully resonate emotionally due to the song-heavy structure, the show more than makes up for it in charm, vocal talent, and sheer entertainment value. It’s corny—but that’s exactly the point. 🌽
Photos by: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
(Walt Disney Theatre, Orlando FL) Shucked, the corny (in the best way) Broadway musical, kicked off its 6-night run of laughs, charm, and some powerhouse vocals to the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando—and the result was a delightfully offbeat night of theater. Known for its self-aware humor and small-town quirks, this musical leaned hard into its rural setting and delivered an evening filled with witty one-liners, surprising emotional moments, and a cast that knew how to play to the crowd.
From the start, the show leaned fully into its identity: an unapologetically pun-filled, tongue-in-cheek celebration of corn—literally and figuratively. The jokes came fast and, yes, frequently corny, but the delivery was sharp and consistently funny. The true comedic glue of the night came from the ever-present Storytellers 1 and 2 (portrayed by Maya Lagerstam and Tyler Joseph Ellis), who masterfully navigated the fourth wall with sly commentary, deadpan delivery, and a chemistry that never missed a beat. They kept the pace zipping along and helped keep the humor fresh, even when the jokes treaded into obvious territory.
Vocally, the standouts were hands down Lulu (portrayed by Miki Abraham) and Beau (portrayed by Jake Odmark). Their performances offered more than just laughs—they brought real vocal power and emotional depth to the stage. Abraham's solo moments were packed with soul and range, while Odmark's numbers offered a grounded and heartfelt contrast. When paired together, their voices blended in rich harmonies that elevated the material and brought authenticity to the show’s more tender moments. These two didn’t just hold their own—they stole the show.
The musical’s highlights came during its most musically intimate numbers. “Maybe Love” showcased warm harmonies and a genuine emotional pulse, revealing the vulnerability behind the satire. “I Do” offered a touching duet that balanced sincerity with humor—a tricky tone that this show often navigated well. “Friends” was a crowd favorite, filled with rich vocal layering and heartfelt connection. Each song served to showcase the vocal talents of the cast, particularly Abraham and Odmark, whose delivery turned catchy tunes into emotional touchstones.
Though central to the story, Maizy (Danielle Wade) and Gordy (Quinn Vanantwerp) were harder to connect with on a personal level. The show’s structure leaned heavily on musical numbers, which often replaced opportunities for deeper character development through dialogue. As a result, the audience didn’t get quite enough time to build a bond with either of them, making their emotional journey feel somewhat secondary to the humor and music.
Peanut (Mike Nappi), the quirky and unpredictable side character, delivered consistent laughs and zany energy. He was a highlight in nearly every scene he appeared in, proving that even the smallest roles can make a big impact.
The choreography was minimal—this isn’t a dance-heavy production—and while that’s not a drawback per se, those expecting traditional Broadway razzle-dazzle might find it lacking in that area. Also, adult-oriented jokes were peppered throughout, often cleverly disguised in double entendre, which kept the show edgy and entertaining for adult audiences while still maintaining a light, playful tone.
Compared to more traditional Broadway musicals, Shucked carved out a different space—less spectacle, more sass. Where musicals like Oklahoma! or The Music Man leaned into classic storytelling and large ensemble numbers, Shucked broke the mold with rapid-fire punchlines, meta-humor, and a modern sensibility. It’s not trying to be timeless; it’s trying to be now—and it succeeded.
Shucked is a refreshing and hilarious spin on the Broadway formula, offering big laughs, strong musical moments, and standout performances—especially from (Miki Abraham) and Beau (Jake Odmark). While the central romantic storyline doesn’t fully resonate emotionally due to the song-heavy structure, the show more than makes up for it in charm, vocal talent, and sheer entertainment value. It’s corny—but that’s exactly the point. 🌽
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