Still, the posters drew attention with faux-critic quotes likeThe Musical That Has Broadway All A-Twitter!
Finger-Lickin Funny Kernel Sanders.
I saw it 300 times before it even opened!
Mike Bosner, ‘Shucked’Courtesy/Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman
The Tony nominations have already proven a cash crop toShucked.
Fill the seats, he thought, and the higher ticket prices could come later.
This interview was edited and condensed.
Ashley D. Kelley and Grey Henson, ‘Shucked’ (Credit: Mathew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman)
DEADLINE:Ive been wanting to talk to you for a while aboutShuckedand theShuckedphenomenon.
With everything thats been going on with the Tonys lately, this seems like the time.
You got eight nominations.
MIKE BOSNER:Nine nominations.
DEADLINE:Nine nominations.
What was your initial reaction?
BOSNER:I was blown away.
I never get involved with a show thinking this is going to win a Tony award.
And so when you hear your name called, its just thrilling.
Its over the moon excitement, a validation from your peers and from the people at large.
DEADLINE:Whats the impact of the nomination?
Is there any tangible impact of the nominations themselves?
It bumped us up to this new level and Im thrilled that its staying.
It certainly feels like the answer to that is yes.
DEADLINE:And what do you think the resistance was, or is?
BOSNER:Shuckedwas just such an unknown thing.
BOSNER:Then you know.
So instead of telling people, we thought, lets go the opposite direction.
Ill take a shot on that.
How does that balance out?
How do you weigh those two things?
Lots of seats filled, but not much by was of box office figures.
BOSNER:I think the answer is complicated.
I mean, this was the gamble that we took.
Its a comedy at the end of the day and that is contagious.
Right away you just sort of know okay, theres something here.
BOSNER:A hundred percent.
That was exactly what we were trying to do.
And we packed the houses.
BOSNER:Youre exactly correct.
And youre exactly right that was the audience we were trying to appeal to.
DEADLINE:And so, you just had your best week ever.
Im looking at some figures now, $712,755.
Tell me, is that enough forShuckedto keep going, or does it have to be even more?
BOSNER:It is definitely enough for us to keep going.
So, it feels really good, and that were only going up from here.
DEADLINE:What is the weekly break-even if I can ask?
BOSNER:That Id rather not say.
But I will say that weve crossed over into making money now.
What was your first reaction when you heard that there might not be a ceremony at all?
BOSNER:I was devastated.
Its one thing if youreSweeney ToddorParade, but for a show likeShuckedthe loss I assume would be devastating.
BOSNER:It has the potential to be devastating.
DEADLINE:Ive heard of making shows critic-proof.
But how do you make a show Tony proof?
DEADLINE:Alex Newell onThe Voice.
Was that in the works before the Tony strike stuff came up.
BOSNER:This is a perfect example of what we were just talking about.
DEADLINE:What appealed to you about this show in the first place?
BOSNER:All roads lead back to my wife.
It does have country influences but its now just a great Broadway score.
