Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark-Penned Musical ‘Shucked’ Wins Historic Tony Award

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Alex Newell as Lulu in Shucked at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City. Photo: Emilio Madrid

Shucked, the musical written by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally and produced by Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen alongside Broadway producer Mike Bosner, earned nine Tony nominations, and won one last night (June 11) at this year’s 76th annual awards ceremony.

Alex Newell made history as the first openly non-binary actor to win the Tony for Best Actor in a Featured Role In a Musical for their role as Lulu.

“To my entire building and cast and crew of Shucked, you are my rock. I love you all. Thank you for seeing me,” said Newell in their acceptance speech. “Broadway, I should not be up here as a queer, nonbinary, fat, Black little baby from Massachusetts. And to anyone that thinks that they can’t do it, I’m going to look you dead in your face and tell you that you can do anything you put your mind to.”

On the musical’s opening night (April 4), Newell’s powerhouse performance of the now-hit “Independently Owned” garnered the first of many standing ovations for the night.

Staged at New York City’s Nederlander Theater, Shucked is a tale from the heart of the heartlands helmed by prior Tony winners—featuring a book written by Robert Horn and direction by Jack O’Brien. The show is also nominated for 12 Drama Desk Awards, seven Outer Critics Circle Awards and three Drama League Awards.

The Shucked – Original Broadway Cast Recording is available on all streaming platforms and on CD. The album is produced by Jason Howland, Billy Jay Stein, and the show’s composers McAnally and Clark.

Caela Griffin
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