Broadway in Portland: Shucked at Keller Auditorium

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If you’re craving a musical that’s equal parts heartland humor and toe-tapping country flair, Shucked might just be your cup of corn. The Tony-nominated Broadway hit has rolled into Portland, playing at the Keller Auditorium through November 2nd, and it’s unlike anything else in this season’s Broadway lineup.

First Impressions

Shucked tells the story of Cob County, a small rural town whose prized corn crop is mysteriously dying. The community bands together to save it, leading to a mix of hometown heart, romantic entanglements, and plenty of corny humor—literally. Created by book writer Robert Horn (Tootsie) and the Grammy-winning country duo Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, the show wears its Southern charm proudly. It’s bright, fast-paced, and full of wordplay that will make you laugh—or groan—depending on your tolerance for dad jokes.

The Set and Visuals

The design team leans hard into the rustic, small-town vibe, and it works. The wooden barn backdrop, warm amber lighting, and clever scenic shifts keep the stage lively. It feels like a mix between a honky-tonk concert and a sketch comedy show. That said, the cartoonish style means the visuals are more playful than immersive. The world of Cob County is exaggerated on purpose—charming for some, a bit over-the-top for others. I admired the craft and color but found it hard to connect emotionally to the world onstage.

The Music

The score is easily one of the show’s strongest elements. With Clark and McAnally behind the music, you can expect authentic country twang and big melodic hooks. Highlights include “Independently Owned,” a powerhouse number that had the audience cheering mid-song, and “Corn,” the witty opener that sets the tone for the whole ride. The ensemble harmonies are tight, the live band sounds fantastic, and even if you’re not a country fan, you’ll likely leave humming at least one tune. Still, not every number hits with the same spark—some of the slower songs blend together or feel more like filler between punchlines.

Story and Theme

At its heart, Shucked is a story about community, courage, and finding your place in a changing world. The show’s humor is broad, full of double-entendres and self-aware narration that poke fun at musical-theater clichés. While it’s clever and often laugh-out-loud funny, the emotional core can feel thin. The story stays light and silly, so if you’re hoping for something deeper—think Waitress or Dear Evan Hansen—this isn’t that kind of show. But if you love witty wordplay and a dose of escapist fun, you’ll be perfectly at home in Cob County.

The touring cast delivers the humor with absolute commitment. The storytellers (Maya Lagerstam and Joe Moeller) keep the pacing snappy, and Danielle Wade shines as Maizy, balancing sweetness with self-discovery. The standout moment of the night belonged to “Independently Owned,” led by the character of Lulu—a full-blown show-stopper that earned some of the loudest applause of the evening. While the acting style leans intentionally broad, it fits the tone. The characters are more caricatures than deeply layered people, but that’s part of the fun Shucked is selling.

My Take

Here’s where I land: Shucked is polished, funny, and musically strong show that is perfect for a chill evening of chuckles.  I can easily see why it’s beloved by many. It’s cheerful, quick-witted, and proudly corny (pun intended). Sometimes a little silliness is exactly what we need.

Should You See It?

If you’re in the mood for big laughs and clever wordplay, a high-energy cast with Broadway-caliber vocals, and a refreshing dose of country-style musical theater, then Shucked will absolutely hit the spot. If you’re looking for a show with heavy emotion or intricate storytelling, you might find yourself checking your watch between jokes—but you’ll still leave smiling.