Shucked is Fresh and Fun at The Fabulous Fox in St. Louis
–by Ashley Cox
Something rare and exciting is happening at the Fabulous Fox. Opening on a chilly Tuesday night in Saint Louis, “Shucked”, a musical comedy centering on corn, opened for an almost two-week run. More and more musicals are being based on already existing intellectual property, think every Disney character ever, or when we do get an original idea, it may be based on historical figures, think SIX. There is something truly refreshing about walking into a movie, musical, or play and having no idea what to expect. And I certainly did not know what to expect with Shucked.
The set is minimal, a backdrop of a slightly nausea inducing tilting barn with the cast moving corn fields and country porches to and fro as needed. The costuming is delightful. Conman Gordy, played Quin VanAntwerp, has his Miami Vice-esque suits become increasingly soiled as he stays with the locals in Cob County. Storytellers 1 and 2 dash through costume and prop changes as they narrate the story and become necessary side characters.
The storytellers, Maya Lagerman and Tyler Joseph Ellis, along with cousin Lulu, played by Miki Abraham, were the stand outs for me. I knew Ellis from his hilarious TikTok and Instagram reels, and Abraham commanded the stage as soon as they entered. Their rendition of “Independently Owned” will go down as one of the best performances of the season.
“Ballad of the Rocks” opens Act II, replacing “We Love Jesus” from the original staging. I cannot say either were particularly memorable. In normal fashions, some parts dragged while others went by too fast. The jokes are delightfully corny (haha) which kids may enjoy but there are few pretty vulgar jokes. While it probably wouldn’t be caught or understood by a child, if they tend to repeat things… this is not the show for them. I truly enjoyed this show on a night when I was dead tired and just wanted to be in my bed. I was transported to just being happy and having a good time for a few hours.
“Shucked” runs until February 23 and then on February 26th and tickets are still available HERE, “Some Like It Hot” another movie based musical opens. Tickets are available HERE.