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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah could be the next breeding ground for Broadway musicals.
Case in point: "Shucked" — a corn-bred musical that premiered at Pioneer Theatre Company earlier this year, announced Monday it is opening on Broadway this spring.
The announcement comes just days after "Shucked" ended its run at Pioneer Theatre Company.
This March, Broadway gets SHUCKED. 🌽 The new musical comedy with a book by Tony Award winner @rhorn1, score by Grammy Award winners @ShaneMcAnally & @TheBrandyClark, & direction by Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien begins performances 3/8. Presale tickets on sale now! #getshuckedpic.twitter.com/twfwf3yLwc
— Shucked (@Shucked_Musical) November 14, 2022
"PTC is honored to be a part of the 'Shucked' story and we're happy to know that after 60 years, we're still producing top-notch work for Utah audiences to enjoy — in this case before NYC audiences," said Karen Azenberg, artistic director. "If the reaction of Pioneer Theatre Company patrons is any indication, 'Shucked' has an exciting future. We're wholeheartedly cheering on our 'Shucked' family as they prepare to take Broadway by storm."
Previews for "Shucked" begin at the Nederlander Theatre in New York starting March 8, 2023, with opening night April 4, 2023.
"Shucked" was born from an interesting pairing — a semi-neurotic, New York comedy writer and two music superstars from Nashville. The writing team includes a book by Tony Award-winner Robert Horn ("Tootsie") and a score by Nashville-based songwriting team Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Together the songwriting duo have collectively earned three Grammy Awards and 18 nominations.
According to the press notes, "Shucked" is a hilarious and audacious farm-to-fable musical about the one thing Americans everywhere can't get enough of: corn. "Shucked" is the new musical comedy that proves sometimes tearing down a few walls, rather than growing them, is the only way to preserve our way of life.
In a joint statement, the musicals creators said, "'Shucked' is a passion project. There was something about this idea, this style of humor and this music, that kept this little engine going. What will be on stage at the Nederlander is a story about how we all have the gift of heroism inside us, and about learning to open our hearts to those who are different than us so that growth can happen ... and of course, about corn ... because the basic thing that unity and acceptance need for survival, is a kernel of truth."
The musical comedy will star John Behlmann ("Tootsie"), Kevin Cahoon ("The Who's Tommy"), Andrew Durand ("Head Over Heels"), Caroline Innerbichler ("Frozen" North American Tour), Ashley D. Kelley ("Bella: An American Tall Tale"), and Alex Newell ("Once On This Island"). Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks.
