SHUCKED – Original Broadway Cast (Sony Masterworks 196871014229).
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The latest new musical to hit the Broadway stage is perhaps less classic-fan-favourite or old-time-glamour than you might expect for New York City’s famous theatreland, but has no less universal appeal. Set in the fictional Cobb County, Shucked is a country and western-style “farm-to-fable” tale celebrating all things… corn. Even the story’s protagonist, who boldly ventures outside the county in search of help when the corn crops are compromised, is named Maizy – and you can rest assured the puns don’t stop there, or actually at all.
While the subject matter may not be the most conventional topic for a musical, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally’s score, coupled with their impressive lyrical wit, produces a soundtrack that is as satisfyingly Broadway-esque as it is possible to be. Interspersed among the high energy, full company numbers including ‘Corn’, ‘Bad’ and ‘We Love Jesus’ are some beautiful solo and smaller group numbers, ranging from the powerful ‘Independently Owned’, performed by Alex Newell, to the perfectly orchestrated ‘Friends’ and ‘Maybe Love’. Special mention must also be made of ‘Travelin’ Song’ which fittingly encompasses – almost unbelievably well – the feeling of travelling past the farm fields through the use of increasing tempo and well-constructed lyrics.
There are countless laugh-out-loud moments even from the cast recording, so one can only imagine how these comedy elements would be further enhanced by the physical staging and delivery. The listener is addressed through the infamous fourth wall, with typical theatre announcements: “Today is the big wedding… in preparation, we ask you to turn off your tractors, your silos, your phones” included within the lyrics of the Overture. Hysterically, they are also asked and advised at the start of Act II: “Did you take a little tinkle? The show gets even better if you had a little drinkle.”
Even the occasional less than sophisticated rhyme – for example, pairing ‘Tampa’ with ‘grandpa’, ‘Tamara’ and ‘extravaganza’ here actively enhances the tongue-in-cheek musical styling of the production where in other shows it would have more likely detracted.
In the absence of being able to see the show in person, the original Broadway cast recording of Shucked’s hilarious yet heartfelt story is a strong contender for Next Best Thing. Impeccably spanning the sublime to the ridiculous and drawing in joyful company numbers and profound ballads for well-rounded measure, this is a corny musical delight for all ears (sorry).
Sorcha Exworthy
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