Three days into rehearsals for the touring production of Shucked, actors Erick Pinnick and Jake Odmark discovered they were both James Madison University graduates.
“I looked through the bios and saw Erick went to JMU,” says Odmark, who grew up in Arlington. “When I came to New York, there were only one or two people [I met] from JMU. Now there are a lot.”
Early in their careers, both actors were employed at Virginia attractions. Odmark worked at Wintergreen and did summer stock at Shenandoah, and Pinnick worked at King’s Dominion in the magic show.
“Nothing prepares you for quick changes better than theme park shows,” says Pinnick, who hails from Baltimore, MD.
Both are excited to be touring the country with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Shucked. The show, which opened on Broadway in 2023, received nine Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. It plays Richmond October 29 to November 3 with eight performances. Tickets and show information can be found at www.BroadwayInRichmond.com.
“The first thing that grabbed me about Shucked was the music. It stuck with me. I couldn’t get it out of my head,” says Odmark, who plays Beau in the musical. “It has an original story and an original score, which is rare.”
Pinnick was lucky enough to be at the first preview of the show. “I wasn’t quite sure what it was,” he says. “It was one of the most electric nights in theater. People were excited to see this.”
Shucked Plays Altria Theater, October 29 through November 3
The musical has great music and a great message, he adds. “It’s heartfelt. Our stage looks like America. It’s diverse, which is great.”
The two JMU grads took different paths to get to this point in time.
Odmark comes from a musical family. Both parents are musicians. His father was with the The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, and his mom was an elementary school band teacher.
“Our family was very immersed in the arts,” he says. “Everybody in the family plays one or two instruments, and my parents were our teachers, so no avoiding practice.”
Odmark started auditioning for musicals and operas in college. After graduating, he booked a national tour of The Pajama Game. “I couldn’t believe I could be paid to sing and dance and see the country,” he says. “Now, 16 years later, I’m touring again.”
He credits his time at JMU with his success. “The school connected me to people [in the industry],” he says. “I got to work at Signature Theater in Arlington and Arena Theatre in Washington, D.C.”
From there, he landed on Broadway, appearing in four shows — Kinky Boots, Pretty Woman, The Inheritance, and Spiderman.
Pinnick, who plays Grandpa and is in the ensemble in Shucked, discovered his love of music from his great aunt, who was his first music teacher in grade school. He went to JMU as a music major, and he’s played the trumpet since he was young.
At JMU, he was cast in multiple productions that included operettas. “JMU was a great support,” he said.
One of his first jobs was working on a cruise ship. “I wanted to save money and see different parts of the world,” he says.
After moving to New York City, he went to the Broadway Dance Center “because I didn’t study musical theater in school,” he says. “I swept and mopped the floors to get free classes. That was helpful in getting me to where I am now.”
Pinnick has toured the U.S. in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Sunset Boulevard starring Petula Clark, and throughout Europe in Jesus Christ Superstar. He appeared in New York in A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden starring Frank Langella and in Roundabout Theatre Company’s The Tin Pan Alley Rag. His television credits include EVIL, The Blacklist and The Good Fight.
Both JMU grads are thrilled to be in Shucked because of the musical’s message of community, family and inclusion.
“Everyone can see a character in the show that reminds them of themselves,” Odmark says. “The story is less important than the feeling and the theme that you come out with.”
The musical doesn’t cast a light on judging people, instead it promotes connection and thinking outside of your own bubble, he adds.
“It’s about not always pressuring people and thinking we are always right. The country is very divisive now, polarized. But, we can help each other if we presume we are not always the one correct.”
And, the show is funny in its delivery of the message. “You will laugh your butt off,” Pinnick says. “There are several jokes that stuck in my head for months.”
Anyone who has seen the commercials for the musical knows that country great Reba McEntire is a fan of the show. “She is our biggest cheerleader,” says Odmark. “This show is something you have never seen before. You will leave the theater flying high.”
Shucked is recommended for ages ten and up. It contains adult themes, moments of adult language, and a harvest of corny innuendo. For showtimes and tickets, visit BroadwayinRichmond.com.
