London is getting Shucked with the musical's U.K. premiere at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre beginning May 10, ahead of a May 20 opening night. The limited run will continue through June 14, with Jack O'Brien back at the helm after staging the musical's 2023 Broadway bow. The show features a book by Robert Horn and music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
The cast is being led by Ben Joyce (Back to the Future) as Beau, Sophie McShera (Downton Abbey) as Maizy, Georgina Onuorah (Hamilton) as Lulu, Monique Ashe-Lamer as Storyteller 1, Keith Ramsay as Peanut, Matthew Seadon-Young as Gordy, and Steven Webb as Storyteller 2. They're joined by Jonathan Andrew Hume as Grandpa, and an ensemble comprising Taila Halford, Ross Harmon, Claudia Kariuki, Ying Ue Li, Tom Oliver, Gleanne Purcell-Brown, and Toyan Thomas-Browne. Swings Jed Berry, Nathaniel Purnell, Rachel Rawlinson, and Mia Shelbourne round out the company.
Shucked takes place in an isolated town called Cobb County, which is put into disarray when the local corn crops start dying. The young Maizy must travel to the outside world to find help, and learns something about herself in the process. The Broadway production ran for 327 performances and nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning one for actor Alex Newell, who made history as the first non-binary actor to win a Tony.
The musical had previously announced a West End bow for 2024 in a Cameron Mackintosh-owned theatre, but that never materialized.
Much of the Broadway creative team is back alongside O'Brien, including choreographer Sarah O'Gleby, music supervisor Jason Howland, scenic designer Scott Pask, costume designer Tilly Grimes, lighting designer Japhy Weideman, and sound designer John Shivers. Carol Hancock is designing wigs, hair, and makeup from Mia M Neal's Broadway work, and Katy Richardson serves as musical director.
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is presenting in association with Mike Bosner, Jason Owen, AEG Presents/Jay Marciano, and Michael Harrison.
Visit OpenAirTheatre.com.