SHUCKED On Broadway - Reviews Thread- Page 8

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/21/23 at 12:31am

I was there tonight and apparently the house was sold out, so when I had to get my seat changed because of my stalky legs and husky butt, I was forced to endure standing room for Act I.

The show was fine. It wears its heart on it's sleeve, the jokes are hilarious, but for every real zinger, there were a handful where I audibly groaned. There were also some jokes that seemed thrown in for the sake of topicality as an easy one-liner (I'm specifically referring to the one about Plan B). This definitely has "regional production ready" written all over it.

I feel like Alex Newell and Andrew Durand did most of the heavy lifting for this show. Caroline Innenbacher seemed to be channeling Dawn from "Waitress" and definitely faded into the background at times. The twist at the end with the storytellers was cute.

It'll pick up a few nominations, but with all of the hand-wringing about how this show might knock Kimberly Akimbo off its pedestal shouldn't really worry that hard in my honest opinion.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/21/23 at 1:55am

BentleyB said: "I also saw it last night with 11 other people that we bring to see a number of shows each March. Everyone thought it was hilarious and a fun night in the theater. They ranged in age from 13 to 65 and were from New York, Los Angeles and Alabama. I say that, only because it was a range of people with different backgrounds and exposure to Broadway. Each person said they would go back again if they had the opportunity."

Wait! Alabama! My people! 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/21/23 at 1:57am

Just curious if it still has the IP of “Hee Haw”? 

[Shubert Alley Cat]

Posted: 3/21/23 at 10:37pm

I saw the show at the Monday preview.  Sat in the front row center of the Mezz - perfect for this show.  Gavin Creel was in the row behind me - he was there to support Grey Henson.

This show was ****ing great - I just loved everything about it.

So, so, so funny - and I disagree that the laughs get old - this thing was unrelentingly hilarious in the vein of THE PRODUCERS and BOOK OF MORMON.  And while there were a lot of one-liners, I felt these one-liners fit each character perfectly.

The cast was outstanding from top to bottom.  Alex Newell - wow!  Kevin Cahoon, though, was my MVP.  But I have no negatives about any performance.

The music was suprisingly terrific - although I agree the songs were ballad-heavy which was a bit at odds with the humor of the book scenes.

There is a reveal in the last number that brought me to tears - I'm not going to spoil it but I sure didn't expect to be moved by this show.

Go see it!  I wish them luck and hope they can find a sustained audience.

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 3/22/23 at 2:19am

The opening chords to the entr’acte sounded very familiar. I later realized that Jason Howland is Shucked’s music director and orchestrator, and that familiar tune came from his “Turn My Life Around” number from Paradise Square. 

[kwoc91]

Posted: 3/22/23 at 9:47am

bwayphreak234 said: "I saw this recently and found the whole affair to just be rather... exhausting? The jokes are non-stop and are fired out at a rapid rate. I thought for every joke that was genuinely funny, there were at least five or six groaners/ dad jokes in between. By the end of the evening I had just stopped laughing all together.

The cast is great. I loved Alex Newell's big act one number. The set is serviceable - reminded me of a warped cartoonish version of the Hamilton set. I thought it was a little confining at times to have the whole show set in a barn, but that's just a minor quibble. Costumes are what you'd expect.

It's a fun night out, but I did feel that both acts dragged a bit. There are some clever songs and scenes, but overall, I can't necessarily say I'd recommend this to anyone."

I went last night and echo this sentiment 100%. Went in excited and left exhausted.

The first act starts out promising - the music is good, the jokes are firing, but then the plot starts moving and the whole thing sags lifelessly. Act Two was interminably boring. By the end of the show my boyfriend and I were audibly groaning every time Kevin Cahoon and Grey Henson opened their mouths.

The audience was eating it up but to an excessive degree. Part of what made the show drag on was the pause for questionably riotous laughter after every other line. The show was being filmed last night so I think there was a lot of main character energy in the audience (and judging by the long, long line at will call, a sizable number of papered tickets).

[DaveyG]

Posted: 3/23/23 at 12:38am

Saw this tonight and was underwhelmed. I just didn’t find it very funny. Maybe my expectations were too high after the positive comments here.  It’s no Mormon. Not even close. I agree with bwayphreak234 who said it’s exhausting. Alex Newell comes off the best - charming and in terrific voice. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 3/23/23 at 8:22am

Sounds like this may be one of those shows where if it doesn't work its magic on you early on, it is going to be a long slog.  And even then, the humor/approach/style will prove wearing for some over time.

[TalksAboutBruno]

Posted: 3/23/23 at 9:07am

Also saw this show with what I assumed was a heavily papered (a lot of broadway folk on their day off) audience and was pretty underwhelmed. While most of the jokes are very funny, 90% of them seem to be in the wrong show and do nothing to advance narrative, develop any sort of character, or expand the world.

 

The irreverence of all the humor is just begging you to not take the show seriously, but to sit back, turn your brain off, and have a good time. Honestly, it seems like most people around me were having that exact experience. So the show is debatably succeeding for most more than it isn't for others. Me though, I kept wishing that the show took itself a tad more seriously. I think there is a kernel (kill me) of genuine truth buried in there. But between the distracting jokes, narrative device (why?) and very unnecessary two-act structure, it never pops.

 

... Regional theaters and high schools will eat this up, which I'm gonna guess is one of the primary directives in mounting this on Bway.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 3/23/23 at 9:23am

I think the best word to describe this show is “cute.” It is lighthearted, silly, and just cute. But I don’t at all think it’s this epically hysterical show that some people are making it out to be. The jokes are ubiquitous, and they’re all, again, cute. Smiles and light giggles for me, not rolling belly laughs. The book is decently constructed (far better than some other recent new books on Broadway) but it’s nothing beyond (for the hundredth time) cute.

I absolutely love a dumb comedy that asks you to put all your real-world pretenses out the window and just embrace the stupidity of the show, but I didn't think this went to any level of silliness or hilarity that was noteworthy like Mormon or Something Rotten, or even & Juliet from this season and Honeymoon in Vegas, which I was thinking about while sitting in the Nederlander seeing this show and remembered enjoying more.

It definitely feels like an ensemble piece, but Alex Newell’s performance is notable and terrific. Insane talent that I hope we see more frequently on Broadway.

So, I didn’t hate this, but I’m not going to tell anyone they need to run to see it. I agree that it will definitely be an EXCELLENT show for regional theaters and high schools.

[hak5]

Posted: 3/23/23 at 11:46am

Is the yellow lucite magnet still available at the theatre?  On line it says 'out of stock' and only one available is the white non-lucite 

Also, I know it was reported that they are recording a cast album... but I've not seen a release date or formats ?

[bdn223]

Posted: 3/23/23 at 11:52am

hak5 said: "Is the yellow lucite magnet still available at the theatre? On line it says 'out of stock' and only one available is the white non-lucite

Also, I know it was reported that they are recording a cast album... but I've not seen a release date or formats ?"

The cast album news was leaked by the cast members, one of the composers, and the associate writer on social media. There was no official press release, so all we know is that they have gone into the studio to begin recording a cast album. 

[Alessio2]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 1:54am

Has anyone tried Rush for the show? If so, where were your seats located and what time did you get there? Are the lines long for rush? THANKS:)

[dangeresque49]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 2:59am

I am not sure about rush. This was a real solid sell out a week ago at the discounts they were offering. It seemed like even on the resale market there was nothing left but also no demand to buy for higher prices either. the current mortgage market of shows in a way.

I liked this show for what I paid, but it is not a big time production. Its the type of show I see being a moderate hit and then scoring big in regional theater licensing. I thought it was very funny. Now some people might pay way more than I would to see this but I just do not see the longevity past moderate to minimum hits. 

I thought Kimberly akimbo was clearly better all around and did like some like it hott more too. 

When you look at the set for shucked being less complex than Kimberly akimbo I think you realize the confidence level the producers had on this show from where they started. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 2:39pm

dangeresque49 said: "When you look at the set for shucked being less complex than Kimberly akimbo I think you realize the confidence level the producers had on this show from where they started."

Not an apt comparison. The content of the show dictates its design. The set that SHUCKED has is attractive and completely serves the story. It doesn't demand a literal set with walls & popouts like Kimberly. (Kimberly's is also barely more elaborate than this - Shucked has rather elaborate platforms & wood backdrop.)

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 4:45pm

Just got out of the matinee, and I thought it was cute. I think the critics will be kind, and I'd be surprised if there are any flat-out negative reviews.

[dangeresque49]

Posted: 3/26/23 at 3:56am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "dangeresque49 said: "When you look at the set for shucked being less complex than Kimberly akimbo I think you realize the confidence level the producers had on this show from where they started."

Not an apt comparison. The content of the show dictates its design. The set that SHUCKED has is attractive and completely serves the story. It doesn't demand a literal set with walls & popouts like Kimberly. (Kimberly's is also barely more elaborate than this - Shucked has rather elaborate platforms & wood backdrop.)"

Shucked requires no cutting into the stage to duplicate the set as is. It is more attractive to to regional theater as is. More confident shows are not worried about cutting into the stage that will be around for longer on Broadway. And yea I know Kimberly akimbo is not the most elaborate of sets, but they could have chosen to make the sets work with zero cutting into the stage but the chose to make it more Broadway level. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/26/23 at 12:17pm

I thought Kimberly’s design was very nice and well done. 
 

Shucked looks ready for a non equity tour a la Tootsie. That said, like the poster said, if it works it works 

[Dolly80]

Posted: 3/28/23 at 6:47am

Are there any discounts for this?

[bdn223]

Posted: 3/28/23 at 11:50am

Dolly80 said: "Are there any discounts for this?"

"Mail" should  work for performances through 5/28, but they are currently offering special pricing during previews.

Updated On: 3/28/23 at 11:50 AM

[Dolly80]

Posted: 3/28/23 at 7:41pm

Thankyou !

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/29/23 at 4:42pm

I'm seeing tomorrow night's preview and I've been very curious about this show. 

[BETTY22]

Posted: 3/29/23 at 5:08pm

It is FANTASTIC. The funniest new musical since Book Of Mormon. 

The score is melodic and lyrical. The book is hilarious and clever.

There is a disarming sweetness to this show that will wins over almost everyone who see's it.

This afternoon the theatre was full and the audience very responsive.

What a joy it was to see folks jump to their feet during a amazing number in act one. 

I'm not a Tony voter and haven't seen "New York, New York" yet, but so far this show would get my vote for BEST NEW MUSICAL. 

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 3/30/23 at 9:15am

Dolly80 said: "Are there any discounts for this?"

We saw it Saturday matinee from TKTS (bought on Friday noonish at Lincoln Center).  Row A seats 6-8 which are the last two seats in the front row right up against the corn for $75 each + TKTS Fees

 

Stage is low so no issues there, but the corn did block the view of the upper level, at least the right side of it, but not much happens up there.

 

I can't recall the last time I laughed so often when at a Broadway show.  I'm a huge fan of GOOD puns but not bad ones, and most of these landed well.

I questioned some of the costume choices (particularly Maizie's wardrobe for the last 20-30 minutes or so), but only because I was looking for something to kvetch about

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:52am

Good piece on the ticket pricing strategy:

https://broadwaynews.com/2023/03/29/to-launch-the-new-musical-shucked-a-producer-revives-an-old-strategy-preview-pricing/