Yes, it’s corny… but you knew that. What makes Shucked delicious is a buttery glaze of self awareness, as it spoofs its own corny-ness with cartoonish gusto.

We are introduced to a corn-encircled midwestern community by engaging “Storytellers” Tyler Joseph Ellis and Maya Lagerstam. They set the manic pace and bounce the cutely contrived plot along. After a production number celebrating corn, they introduce us to “Maizy” and “Beau” the corn-crossed lovers whose nuptials are interrupted by a mysterious corn blight. Danielle Wade and Jake Odmark have lovely voices and we root for Danielle’s “Maizy” on her brave journey looking for a corn doctor. She meets shady podiatrist “Gordy” (Quinn Van Antwerp) who is swept into a mission of greed and deception. Another fine performer, and one with a wider character arc than the others.

Highlights of the cast include Lulu (Miki Abraham) a woman to be reckoned with, whose corn liquor business is “Independently Owned” as she explains in her showstopper song. I particularly enjoyed “Peanut” (Mike Nappi)  who seemed to me like a Shakespearean “wise fool” dispensing punny opinions and advice, such as, “If I had a crystal ball… I’d probably walk funny.” Much of the humor is a little PG and/or groan-worthy but it keeps the audience laughing as these characters evolve to a happy ending, delivering a message of forgiveness and acceptance that gives the show heart.

It’s refreshing to see a new, original show — book by Robert Horn, music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Shucked continues through January 26. Tickets at  https://www.whartoncenter.com

This one is a hoot — literally and figuratively. On this opening night, Riverwalk’s Black Box was practically sold out with a literal third of the audience made up of hooting super-fans from the stellar casts of Rocky Horror Show and Urinetown.

Lustful Youth is a hilarious cartoon of a slapstick farce, delivered with style and pace by a six-person cast. First time director Kait Wilson has lots of non-directorial  theatre experience (mostliy musical) and has successfully managed this chaos — with the help of Shannon Bowen, “intimacy scene support” and Connor Kelly, fight choreography. Beautifully acrobatic smooching and punching were sprinkled throughout.

The plot premise is that a “statistician” is bullied into writing a soap opera being rushed into production as it is written, so no rewrites are allowed. Chaotic hijinks ensue. All the actors play multiple roles with multiple accents and many costume changes. Anna Maier’s fun costumes get a workout; I imagine the backstage changers are a busy crew. The office/living room set doesn’t seem that impressive until you realize how much door slamming it must withstand. Kudos, Leroy Cupp and crew.

TJ Kelly is the heart of the show as the beleaguered/inspired/enamored writer-under-duress — saved/hijacked by his imaginary muse/alter ego Rachael Steffens who awakens his untapped creative potential. Lewis C. Elson is unctuously awful as the bullying boss, and then charmingly oblivious as the soap-opera husband. Allison Meyer effectively transforms from prim to promiscuous. Quinn Kelly occupies a variety of attitudes and antics — and even animals — too complicated to list. Keara Hayes’s star continues to shine after Rocky Horror Show (Magenta) and Pickleball (Perfect) — and she was also great in The Thanksgiving Play at LCC. (School shows not on Matt Ottinger’s amazing database at http://greaterlansingtheatre.org) Note you will also recognize Matt’s voice in recorded announcements for Lustful Youth; he is sound design/engineer.) 

This script was first produced in 1994, which is the media time-frame for the action. Director Kait knows the author, Mike Eserkaln, who offers his scripts at http://eserkaln.com— check it out.  

I predict future sellouts in the smaller 80-90ish capacity Black Box venue. Buy tickets online asap and arrive early for best seats. Tickets will be sold at the door while they last, but don’t count on that. You will laugh, but maybe tone down the hooting to better enable everyone to follow the kaleidoscopically twisted plot of this comic gem. Tickets times and info at: https://www.riverwalktheatre.com