“Shucked”
Fisher Theatre
Seen Dec. 23, 2025; runs through Jan. 4, 2026
Have you ever watched a movie, enjoyed it all the way through but knew it was something that wouldn’t necessarily stick to your ribs as the greatest movie of all time? That you kind of knew, in the back of your head, that it wasn’t very nutritious for you?
That’s a lot like watching “Shucked,” which carries some great performances and country-turned-Broadway tunes, but sometimes feels like high fructose corn syrup.
The Tony Award-winning musical landed at the Fisher Theatre Tuesday night, part of Broadway in Detroit’s excellent 2025-2026 season. (A trio of heavy hitters – “Spamalot,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Kinky Boots” – are due up next.)
“Shucked,” as you might’ve guessed, is a comedic affair all about corn. We land in Cob County, where open-hearted Maizy is open to get married … when all the corn in town mysteriously starts to die. From there, it’s all big-city dreams, the importance of keeping an open mind to outsiders (even if they might be grifters!) and the value of community and family along the way.
Let’s be clear here. “Shucked” is enjoyable all the way around, but you’ll find yourself a bit exhausted by the corn puns as the intermission approaches. To their credit, they do back off this comedic crutch a bit as the musical goes on. The set design is a simple but versatile one, using a static interior of a crooked barn to allow the actors to turn simple planks and barrels into a slew of scenes and props.
The songwriting here is top notch and harkens back to the '90s country-pop era of Garth Brooks but without a whole bunch of Broadway flare, thanks to contributions from Nashville music superstars Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
If you dig “Book of Mormon” or “Avenue Q,” you’ll enjoy this comedic contribution to Broadway. There are big laughs and big numbers, a not-perfect but perfectly fine show to catch with the cool cousins over the holidays.
But it doesn’t quite offer the depth of narrative or story that those musicals accomplished, either.
