After dazzling on Broadway, Quinn VanAntwerp now takes on the challenge of bringing Gordy to life in the touring production of Shucked. The musical, with its sharp humor and heartfelt moments, offers VanAntwerp a chance to embrace the role of the charmingly flawed “corn doctor” from Tampa, weaving a tale that dances between satire and sincerity.
In this interview with Artisan Magazine, Quinn opens up about his journey with Shucked, sharing insights into the humor, challenges, and joy of stepping into Gordy’s boots. From his initial skepticism about a musical centered on corn to his deep appreciation for the creative brilliance behind the production, he reflects on the evolution of the show and his own artistic discovery along the way.
Your character, Gordy, is a unique guy. How would you describe him in three words, and what made you want to step into his boots?
I would say he is a survivor. He’s resilient and charming, hopefully.
I think for much of my career I’ve played nice guys, and that’s always fun to be a nice guy, but there’s something really wonderful about playing the bad guy, the villain of the story and finding a way to redeem those characters and make them believable. Honestly, he reminds me a little bit of an homage to Harold Hill, even though he’s maybe not as successful at his conning craft as he was. It’s been really fun to step into this role. I got to be part of the Broadway casting. I just couldn’t say no to signing on for another chapter of taking it across the country. I get to be the one that brings Gordy Jackson home to Tampa, which is where he’s from.
What was your first impression when you read the script or heard the music?
When I first got this audition, I was like, they’re making a musical about corn? Is that what I want to be a part of? And the first moment I read this script I knew it was probably the funniest show I’d ever read. That was four years ago, I think. And I’ve been working on the show for over three years through its development process, and the Broadway production. The music is fantastic, but it’s the team of creative people that they brought together. That first time we started working on it, I knew I had found something that was going to be very singular in my career. We just basically would get together every day and all wholeheartedly dive into making each other laugh. And we did that for years, until we got to where we are now. I like to think that, of those thousands of these jokes didn’t make it, the best ones did. And I think that’s what makes Shucked so special – that there are so many great jokes, and obviously, it’s the music too.
Shucked walks a tightrope between satire and sincerity. What’s the trick to keeping Gordy, the corn doctor, grounded in all of the chaos?
It’s a really fun exercise as an actor how to ground that belief in something real so that people can laugh. He’s in a real tight spot. Even though I’m the bad guy and I drive a lot of the plot, I’m also kind of the audience because I’m the visitor or the outsider that comes into this very charmingly quaint, rural town from the big city of Tampa. I like to imagine myself as the audience, and I get to guide the audience through this new world that we’re going through together.
The comedy is rapid fire and razor sharp. What has been your funniest audience reaction so far?
You know we’re in Atlanta right now and maybe it’s not the funniest one, but I I didn’t realize that I had a line about Atlanta until I said it. In New York, you don’t think about that, but all of a sudden you end up in new cities and towns and people find different parts of the show funnier than others. And so, Tuesday night in Tampa is kind of exciting. What is Tampa going to love? It keeps us sharp. I think it really makes you feel like you’re creating the comedy on the fly, which is when comedy works best.
What has been the most unexpected thing you’ve discovered about yourself through playing this role?
I think sometimes we don’t believe in ourselves, and we also don’t believe that we can be loved for who we are. At first when I started playing Gordy, I thought, OK, he’s kind of the bad guy – a smarmy, charming con man, but really I’ve realized that all those things are true, but also by the end, you’re hoping that he’s accepted for who he is. I think that is the power of this piece. I’ve really learned there is something really important about community and who your chosen family is. I am moved by his journey. These people can love him regardless of his foibles.
Shucked feels like wildly original, but also weirdly timeless. What do you think it says about the world right now? And why do audiences connect so deeply with it?
Lots of people leave the show and say I really needed that. It’s so uncommon these days to agree on something, so going out to the theater, listening to great music, and laughing together with thousands of people is just so rare. It’s light-hearted fun, a night at the theater that you will leave in a better mood than you came. I also think it does that extra thing of reminding us that we can all find common ground if we try hard enough. I think people really resonate with that message, even though it’s a very simple one.
If Gordy could give one piece of advice to the audience, what would it be? And would Quinn agree with it?
I guess his advice might be that the ends justify the means. I wouldn’t agree with it. I think maybe even Gordy at the end of the play might not agree with it – not to give away his journey, but it really matters how you treat people. You want to go fast? Go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
When the people leave the theater, what do you hope they take with them besides the newfound respect for agriculture?
It’s a brand-new musical. It’s not based on anything. Yes, it’s about corn, but it’s about a lot more than that. Hopefully they leave being like I had no idea what to expect from this show, but I’m so glad I went because I really needed to laugh like that. I’ve had a lot of really cool jobs in my life. I’ve been in many fun TV shows and part of Big Broadway hits, but this one – I don’t know. I can’t quit it. There’s something really special and heartfelt about this show.
If Gordy had a Tinder bio, what would it say?
Well-dressed Florida man… Trust me, I’m a doctor. There’d be a lot of him holding up crocodiles his friend caught, that he’s pretending that he caught, and a lot of bright colors and Hawaiian shirts. •
