Don’t be surprised if the musical Shucked isn’t on your radar, the show started in New York City in April, 2023, and is now on its first national tour. Finally, Shucked has come to Denver and it’s pure corny gold with plenty of jokes and puns to keep you laughing.
While there are too many great puns to list, here are some of our favorite corn-centered puns, one liners, and food jokes from and inspired by the show. Catch it for yourself now and until October 19 at the Buell Theatre.
What Is Shucked the Musical

In 2022 Robert Horn wrote the book for Shucked, and the score comes thanks to GRAMMY award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Director and Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien brought this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical into fruition, and now, it’s cracking up Denver. The acting, songs, and book are lousy with dad jokes after pun after true groaners, in the best possible way. And yes, like many good meals, the musical’s crux is all about corn.
The story follows Maizy (yes, it’s a play on the Spanish word for corn, maíz) and her search to find a cure for the corn of Cobb County, a secluded town in the middle of nowhere. Two storytellers lead the tale and add a lot of comic relief. It’s a bit crass, a bit corny, and a lot of fun.
Food-Focused One Liners From the Show

- “That whiskey’s stronger than a single mom raising five kids on a teacher’s salary.”
- “I never understood why they are called chicken tenders until I let one caress my face.”
- “I just passed a huge squirrel, which is odd because I don’t remember eating one.”
- “It doesn’t take a cow smoking a joint to know how high the steaks are.”
- “I was going to make a corn joke, but I’m afraid it would be too corny.”
Corn Jokes For Everyone

- Who is the leader of the corn army? The kernel!
- Why are corn farmers great at eavesdropping? Because they have ears everywhere!
- How much does corn cost in Tampa Bay? A Buccaneer!
- What kind of corn can you eat but never grows? Candy corn!
- What do you get if you cross a horse with a corn cob? A uni-corn!
- Why did the corn get sent to the principal’s office? Because it was a-MAIZ-ing.
Musical Lines
- “We’re here to tell you a fable…a farm-to-fable.”
- “Sweet corn, street corn. It’s really hard to beat corn. Hands or feet, no wrong way to eat corn!”
- “Candy corn, kettle corn, put it in your mouth. It’s the same going in coming out!”