New musical ‘Shucked’ will open on Broadway in spring 2023

The new musical comedy “Shucked” will begin previews on Broadway on March 8 with an opening night scheduled for April 4.

The production, which just wrapped a three-week run at Utah’s Pioneer Theatre Company, will play the Nederlander Theatre.

The musical features a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, music and lyrics by Grammy Award nominee Brandy Clark and Grammy winner Shane McAnally, and is directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brien. “Shucked” marks the Broadway debut for country artists Clark and McAnally.

Set in the south, the story follows a couple — and the characters they meet along the way — who puts their wedding on hold to save their small town.

The musical comedy will star John Behlmann, Kevin Cahoon, Andrew Durand, Caroline Innerbichler, Ashley D. Kelley and Alex Newell — all of whom starred in the Pioneer production. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

O’Brien’s most recent Broadway directing credit is the 2019 revival of “All My Sons.” His directorial career spans more than six decades and includes the 1969 revival of “Cock-A-Doodle Dandy,” the 1994 revival of “Damn Yankees,” “The Full Monty,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” O’Brien’s three Best Director Tony Award wins were earned for his work on “Hairspray,” the 2004 revival of “Henry IV” and “The Coast of Utopia.”

Horn has written the book for “13” and “Tootsie,” the latter for which he won a Tony Award. He also provided additional material for “Dame Edna: Back with a Vengeance.”

The musical features choreography by Sarah O’Gleby with music supervision, music direction, orchestrations and arrangements by Jason Howland. The design team includes Tony Award winner Scott Pask (scenic design), Tilly Grimes (costume design), Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman (lighting design), Tony Award winner John Shivers (sound design), Academy Award winner Mia Neal (hair and wig designer). Casting is by Stephen Kopel, C12 Casting.

“Shucked” is produced on Broadway by Mike Bosner, Jason Owen, AEG Presents / Jay Marciano / Gary Gersh, Richard Smith, Jeffrey A. Sine, Walter Schmidt, Bob Boyett, Jeremiah J. Harris, KSO Productions, James L. Nederlander, DudaAllen, John Gore Organization, Madison Wells Live, S&Co., Terry Schnuck and ZKM Media.