Work Light Productions Casts 2nd National Tour of Tony-Winning Musical 'Shucked' with Actor-Musician Format

Work Light Productions is moving forward with the second national tour of Shucked, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy from book writer Robert Horn and songwriting duo Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark, and casting is open now. Rehearsals are set to begin December 11, 2026, in New York City, with tech launching on or about January 4, 2027, an opening night targeted for on or about January 12, 2027, and a touring run that carries through June 6, 2027. For actor-musicians especially, this one deserves immediate attention.

What makes this production particularly noteworthy for performers is its format. This is a fresh staging conceived as an actor-musician production, meaning the residents of Cob County will be played by performers who also play live instruments throughout the show. That is a meaningful distinction from the original Broadway production and signals a specific casting call: this creative team is looking for triple-threat talent with genuine musicianship, not just performers who can hold a guitar convincingly. The new staging reimagines the show as a joyful, community-driven celebration, with live music woven directly into the fabric of the storytelling rather than treated as a separate pit element.

Directing the tour is Steve Edlund, whose experience in the touring and regional musical theatre world makes him well suited to shape a production built for the road. Choreography is in the hands of Michaeljon Slinger, and music supervision falls to Jason DeBord, whose work spans both new productions and touring revivals. The creative framework builds on the foundation laid by the original Broadway production, which was directed by Jack O'Brien, a Tony Award winner whose credits include Hairspray and The Coast of Utopia, and choreographed by Sarah O'Gleby. The original creative team is credited here in an advisory capacity, giving this new staging both institutional knowledge and creative room to breathe.

The material itself comes from a genuinely celebrated creative team. Book writer Robert Horn won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Shucked and is also known for his work as a television writer with a long career in comedy. The music and lyrics come from two of Nashville's most decorated names: Shane McAnally, a multiple Grammy winner and prolific hit songwriter, and Brandy Clark, herself a Grammy winner and acclaimed recording artist whose debut album made significant waves. Together they crafted a score that landed Shucked on Broadway with a warm reception and a devoted following, making this tour a commercially attractive proposition for presenting houses across the country.

Work Light Productions is the producing and touring engine behind this project, and they are one of the more respected names in the touring Broadway space. The company has a strong track record of mounting and managing national tours, and their productions tend to run professionally organized, well-supported operations on the road. General Manager Courtney King is overseeing the business side, and executive producer Matt Kunkel is leading the production's overall direction. Original Broadway production credit goes to Shucked Broadway LLC, whose involvement signals continuity with the property's established brand and licensing structure.

Casting is being handled by Chad Eric Murnane and Amber Snead at Murnane Casting, with casting assistant Joey Casali also on the team. Murnane Casting is a well-regarded name in the touring and off-Broadway world, and their involvement here is a useful signal for agents and performers about where to direct submissions. This is the team making the decisions, and reaching them through proper channels now, while the production is still in early casting, is the right move. The production rehearses in New York City, so local New York-based performers and those willing to relocate for the rehearsal period should take note.

For those working on the production side rather than the performance side, the timeline between now and December 2026 suggests that production staff, stage management, and company management positions will be staffed in the coming months, with the production office likely ramping up well ahead of the rehearsal start. Touring productions of this scale typically require a full company management team, a production stage manager and assistant stage managers, and touring crew covering sound, lighting, and wardrobe. The actor-musician format also adds a layer of complexity to the sound design and monitor engineering that will require experienced touring sound professionals.

ProductionList.com has the full listing for Shucked: 2nd National Tour, including production contacts, casting information, and scheduling details as they are confirmed. If you are a performer with strong instrumental skills, now is the time to get your materials in order. If you are a touring production professional looking at the 2026-2027 season, bookmark this one and check back as the company builds out its roster. The combination of strong source material, a reimagined format, and a respected touring producer makes this a production worth pursuing early.

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