Laughter, heart, and a lot of corn will take the stage when the Tony Award-winning musical comedy 'Shucked' arrives at the Forrest Theatre. The hit production, praised for sharp humor and an uplifting story, offers audiences a chance to escape to Cob County, connect, and laugh out loud.
'Shucked' cast member Mike Nappi, a Doylestown native and Temple University alum, got his start in local theater by performing at Bucks County Playhouse. Since then, he has appeared on stages throughout the country, including a recent run at NYC’s New World Stages by playing 34 characters in 'The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers.'
As Peanut in 'Shucked,' Nappi brings the character to life with big laughs and human connection. Offstage, he and his castmates have also made a tradition of seeking out the best chicken wings in every tour stop — one he’s especially excited to continue in Philadelphia.
I grew up in Doylestown — Go Birds! I was doing local theater at Town and Country Players where my buddy encouraged me to audition for 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' at Downtown Performing Arts Center, run by the amazing Ginny Brennan and directed by Stephen Casey, the artistic director of the Playhouse at the time.
I was a disaster in the dance call, but I was cast and met some of my best friends. The studio was a pipeline into the Bucks County Playhouse and that’s when I began working there, taking classes, and running around New Hope as a teen. It was such an awesome time in my life, going to high school, doing shows, learning and partying with my friends who loved theater as much as I did.
I auditioned at Temple University and it just felt right. I really connected with the faculty. I was so excited to be accepted into the musical theater concentration and learned from some incredible teachers, including Doug Wager, Peter Reynolds, Brandon McShaffrey, Nancy Boykin, Dan Kern, and Lynne Innerst, to name a few. I think pursuing an acting career is different for everyone. For me, immersing myself and getting involved in everything Temple had to offer was crucial for my path. I met some connections at college that opened so many doors in this crazy and wonderful career and learned the foundations of acting and storytelling that I still use today.
There is no other musical like this. It takes place in the fictional town of Cob County, a community that thrives from their home-grown corn. The corn starts dying, so our heroine, Maizy, goes on a quest to save it. It is one of the funniest shows you are ever going to see. Every joke you could possibly imagine flies at you; playwright Robert Horn is a relentless madman genius.
I saw it on Broadway and was in awe of the show and talent onstage. It’s a brand-new musical and story with a one-of-a-kind score by legendary Grammy Award-winning songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
Awww, Peanut! I love this guy. Peanut is one of the great thinkers of Cob County. He loves his community, his goat, and his brother, Beau. He is not afraid to share his wise and ridiculous kernels of wisdom, even if it’s a long and winding road to get to the point. It’s a dream to play this role across the country.
Robert Horn would write me about 20 jokes per day during rehearsal. I wish we could have kept them all, but the runtime would be five hours long. Shoutout to Kevin Cahoon who originated Peanut on Broadway and earned a Tony nomination. His performance was incredible and he’s been the kindest and most supportive dude throughout this process!.
'Life and Slimes' was such a challenging and fulfilling experience as an actor, building each character and playing opposite the icon that is Marc Summers. Our director, Chad Rabinovitz, had the play moving at warp speed, each role shifting on a dime with a new physicality, a new voice, a new intention, a new prop, and then on to the next one.
What it reinforced for me and what I carried into 'Shucked' is that while it’s helpful to know it’s a comedy, the emotional truth and storytelling remain the same as it would be in a drama or anything else. You have to know what you want as the character and live in their shoes. While Peanut may say some ludicrous things that may or may not end in a punch line, it is how he really thinks and views the world.
Marrying the knowledge of the rules and timing of comedy, but also not forgetting your given circumstances and objective, is the great challenge and joy of pulling off good comedy. As our legendary director Jack O’Brien said, “You are not funny. It is.” Lean into truth and authenticity, not caricature.
One of my favorite things about doing this show is watching my friends crush it every night and stop the show while the audience roars with laughter. I can’t wait for Philly to experience the insane comedy that happens each night, as well as be gut-punched by the surprising heart of the story. A personal fave is watching Danie Wade belt out 'Woman of the World,' a heroic tune of our fearless leader coming home.
Yes! Me, and my pals Maya Lagerstam and Kyle Sherman, have hit every single city on tour, which I believe is up to 52. It has been one of my favorite things on this adventure. Currently, my top three wing places are Good Company in Cleveland, Tommy Want Wingy in Austin, and Duffs in Buffalo. I know Philly is going to show out and represent because it has some of the greatest food in the country.
Jim’s is my favorite cheesesteak in the city and I can’t wait to bring the company of 'Shucked' there. I’m going to have to do some research on wing joints, but if anyone has any recommendations, I would greatly appreciate it.
Love a classic corn on the cob loaded with butter, salt, pepper, and spice. I also enjoy a nice hot corn chowder on a cold winter day.
I think the superpower of 'Shucked' is bringing people together. You will be laughing with your friends, your family, and the strangers sitting around you. The world is crazy, so it is refreshing to turn your brain off, gather at the theater, and have an amazing time. So many people have said to us at the stage door, “I needed this right now.”
Jack O’Brien told us, “We need each other, we need to laugh, we need to make fun of ourselves.” I hope audiences have a fun evening taking in a story about community, love, forgiveness, and accepting people.
'Shucked' is on stage at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut Street, from April 21 to May 3. For information and tickets, visit ensembleartsphilly.org
