Miki Abraham was the understudy for Alex Newell when “Shucked” made its Broadway run. But now that the show is on tour, the role of Lulu is all theirs.
The musical comes to town via the Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta series and will run from May 20-25 at the Fox Theatre. “Shucked” is directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien of “Hairspray” fame with a book by Robert Horn and a score by the songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
The musical takes place in the fictional location of Cob County, where life revolves around corn. One day, when the corn dies and the locals have to figure out how to save it, Lulu’s cousin Maizy decides to venture out and try to find help.
“We are small town – no one ever comes in, no one ever comes out,” Abraham, who identifies as non-binary, said about the residents of Cob County. “We have everything we need; we don’t need outside help. It’s that small-minded mindset. I am from Kentucky. I grew up in it, and I get it.”
While the loss of corn is the catalyst, a whole lot happens in “Shucked,” such as mistaken identity and a wedding that almost doesn’t take place.
“It’s all the classical musical theater tropes we have grown to know and love,” Abraham said. “It’s a story about change [not being] as scary as we think it is and [us] having more capacity to love than we think we do. It’s got 178 laughs – our creative team counted.”
In addition to being Maizy’s cousin, Abraham’s character of Lulu runs the whiskey distillery in town. Abraham called the character the rock of the community.
“Lulu knows everything about everyone, and if there was anyone who ever left Cob County prior to the corn dying, it was probably Lulu,” they said. “There is something about the way Lulu is written in the way she moves through space, and is an all-knowing, large, take-up-space character.”
The character’s big number is called “Independently Owned.” Every time Abraham sings the song, it’s almost an out-of-body experience.
“Our creative team allowed me to come in on Broadway when I was going on for the first time and helped me create the version of the song that works for me and fits my voice,” Abraham said. “Getting to sing it every night is so exciting because it’s the pivotal moment for Lulu; you get to know who she is. It seems to be the song everyone knows. Even if you don’t know ‘Shucked,’ you’ve probably heard ‘Independently Owned.’”
Newell originated the role of Lulu and won a Tony Award for their performance. Newell and J. Harrison Ghee – who won a Tony for their performance as Jerry/Daphne in “Some Like It Hot” the same year – together became the first openly non-binary actors to be nominated for and win Tony Awards.
Newell and Abraham joined the company at the same time, in Salt Lake City, UT.
“We came to it at around the same time and it was so cool to see Alex create the version that we all know and love, that drag queens across the country are lip syncing to,” Abraham said.
The creative team created a non-binary queer role in the musical theater canon almost by accident, Abraham said. Lulu has only ever been played by non-binary performers.
“There is something inherently queer about that role in general. I also think that [the creative team has] done such a great job on Broadway and on tour, because there is so much diversity within the company, whether it is body type or gender expression or sexuality,” Abraham said. “Of the 10 years I have been in New York professionally doing shows, this is the most diverse company and community I have ever been involved with. It’s a moment to see yourself represented. It’s a safe space for two and a half hours. Everyone needs a safe space but LGBT people absolutely do need a safe space right now.”
According to Abraham, one appeal of the show is that it’s a completely original piece at a time when new musicals are a rarity.
“Whenever there is an opportunity to see something brand new, you should,” Abraham said.
This is Abraham’s third national tour. Their first was five years ago, before they had a husband and a dog. It’s much different now than the first time, but they couldn’t say no to this opportunity.
“I think if it was any other [project] I would not be out here on the road,” they said. “But I love this show and this role so much.”
