The return of Ryan Fitzgerald to Oklahoma City isn’t just a nostalgic trip—it’s a cultural phenomenon. As the national tour of Shucked rolls into the heart of the Sooner State, the story of this University of Oklahoma alumnus becomes a mirror reflecting the soul of American theater. What begins as a corny musical about community and love quickly spirals into a deeper conversation about identity, reinvention, and the power of storytelling. Personally, I think this moment is more than a performance; it’s a testament to the enduring magic of live theater, even in a world obsessed with instant gratification.
Fitzgerald, a 2010 OU grad, has spent the last 18 months as the ensemble lead of Shucked, a Tony Award-winning show that’s as much about the ‘corn’ of Oklahoma as it is about the corny jokes that make it unforgettable. The musical’s premise—a con man and a lovable hero battling for the heart of a fictional Corn County—feels like a modern-day fable, but what makes it resonate is its unapologetic embrace of Americana. What many people don’t realize is that Shucked isn’t just a comedy; it’s a celebration of the messy, heartfelt, and occasionally hilarious realities of rural life. The show’s creators, including Grammy-winning songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, have woven a narrative that’s both tender and irreverent, a balance that Fitzgerald himself has embraced with a grin.
For Fitzgerald, the return to Oklahoma is less about nostalgia and more about redefining his own story. Growing up in Denver, he found his footing in the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, a regional gem that shaped his early career. Now, as a New Yorker who’s spent years touring across the country, he’s back in the cornfields of his childhood, performing on a stage that feels like home. This is where the real magic happens: in the quiet moments between lines, in the shared laughter of a cast that’s as eclectic as the show itself. The show’s message—that you have to ‘take matters into your own hands’—is a metaphor for Fitzgerald’s own journey, from the dusty theaters of Oklahoma to the glittering stages of Broadway.
What this really suggests is that theater is a space where people from all walks of life can find connection. Shucked is a show that doesn’t just entertain; it invites audiences to laugh, to reflect, and to feel a little bit more connected to the world around them. In a time when screens dominate our lives, a musical that’s as much about community as it is about corn is a rare and valuable thing. It’s a reminder that stories, when told with heart and humor, can bridge divides and bring people together.
The show’s run in Oklahoma City is more than a performance—it’s a cultural event. For the local audience, it’s a chance to see a show that’s both familiar and fresh, a reminder that the theater scene in Oklahoma is alive and thriving. For Fitzgerald, it’s a homecoming that feels both personal and universal. As he says, ‘It’s a dream come true.’ But what makes this moment particularly fascinating is that it’s not just about the show—it’s about the people, the places, and the stories that make Oklahoma a unique and vibrant part of the American theater landscape. In the end, Shucked isn’t just a musical; it’s a reflection of the spirit of a place that’s always been about hard work, community, and the occasional corny joke.
