"I think when you have a comedy like this one, it kind of catches you by surprise, because there's so much heart in it," Wereley said. "It's just a very different show than what I think a lot of people are used to, because it's so funny, and there are moments where it feels more deep and grounded, but then the very, very end, it kind of slaps you across the face, and you're like, 'Oh my god. Why am I crying? This is beautiful.' It really catches you by surprise. It always does."

For Wereley, her favorite part about being involved in this musical is their ability to connect with their on-stage character.

"It's very special when your identity really intersects with the identity of your character on stage," Wereley said. "(I) worked really hard to find that sweet spot of who you are and who you are on stage, and where that comes together and how that grows ... It just lets me be all the fun parts of me, and also all the things that I wish I could do."

The arrival of "Shucked" on MSU's campus has also garnered the attention of students. Nursing junior Logan Whittecar said he is choosing to attend because of his interest in musical theater.

"I've seen a lot just online about 'Shucked,' because on Broadway, Alex Newell, the actress for it, the song really went popular, and she won a Tony for it," Whittecar said. "I just love musical theater. (I) am a theater kid at heart."

"Shucked" originally played on Broadway from March 8, 2023 to Jan. 14, 2024. Environmental engineering junior Ruby Todd, a self-proclaimed "theater kid," said she is excited to witness a fresh new musical. 

"I loved musical theater my entire life," Todd said. "I love to say I was (a) big theater kid, and I think this musical is interesting because recently, a lot of new musicals have been based off previous movies or books and stuff, and this one's like a new, original musical. So I'm excited to see it."

For Whittecar, "Shucked" is appealing because of its ability to show other perspectives in different situations. Whittecar emphasized the importance of "putting yourself in someone else's shoes" and taking life lessons from performance arts. Todd, however, said she was drawn in my the musical's fun and entertaining premise.

"I think it just looks like a fun, easygoing musical," Todd said. "I think it's going to be really funny and cute. So I'm excited just to take a break during my week and go see a little fun and silly show about corn."

Wereley attested to the musical's ability to share joy through humor and comedy, and to provide an escape from difficulties of the real world.

"I think that there's a lot of things happening in the world right now, and a lot of it is really hard across the world, but also within our communities, it can be really difficult," Wereley said. "Sometimes you just need to find joy in something and let yourself not think about those things for a little bit. And I think this show just brings so much heart and love and laughter and joy, and it lets you just go and kind of forget everything for a bit."

As for the main takeaway after seeing "Shucked," Wereley said she hopes the audience will leave the theater feeling uplifted.

"A lot of what our show is about is having very, very different people, communities, experiences, coming together and still finding love and family and common ground," Wereley said. "Having many different people coming from many different places who maybe differ a lot, maybe don't even like each other, can come together to be something beautiful."

For more information on showtimes and tickets, visit the Wharton Center’s website here.