Marilyn Abrams

SHEAR MADNESS, the current international hit playing all over the world, is returning to the Lake George Dinner Theatre, where it premiered in 1978 and played again in 1979 and 2007.

L. Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming SHEAR MADNESS, running on the main stage from February 7 through March 29. The press opening is Sunday, February 16 at 7pm. This hit comedic murder-mystery has slayed the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 40 years, following a mysterious murder above the Shear Madness Salon - leaving it to the audience to catch the killer among the actors. SHEAR MADNESS will be directed by the Jeff Award winning Warner Crocker.

Sitting down to chat with Shear Madness' creators Marilyn Abrams and Bruce Jordan provides exactly what one might expect from a conversation with two inherently funny people who, 40 years ago, produced a murder mystery/ improv comedy at a little theatre in Boston that currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running play in United States history.

There are three doors on this colorful 1980s set designed by Ben Juhnke, and immediately I think 'FARCE!' The 1980s tunes are pumping from the sound system, making the patrons move and groove in their seats. The atmosphere is lively, and the audience is upbeat and happy, chatting away until the action on stage catches their attention. A pre-show pantomime begins; Simeon Rawls and Jen Bechter begin their day in the beauty salon 'Shear Madness'; patrons begin to enter the shop and hilarity ensues. This pantomime continues for at least 15 minutes before any of the actors speak, and it is hysterical. The action is clean, quick, and understandable. The hilarity continues on until the last few minutes of the play. I will not reveal the ending, but suffice it to say these last bits are intense and dramatic, and showcase some serious acting chops.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) opens its second show of the Summer Mainstage Season, Murder for Two, a musical whodunit that flawlessly blends classic musical comedy and madcap mystery. This musical homage to classic murder mysteries was an Off-Broadway hit, and won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Musical Work in 2011. Murder for Two begins June 27 and is part of a 3-show Summer Mainstage subscription package, which can be purchased for as little as $49. This package also includes Always…Patsy Cline, Ted Swindley's musical homage to the legendary country music icon, as well as Other People's Money by Jerry Sterner, another Off-Broadway hit exploring ethics and business. Subscriptions as well as single tickets are available by calling the FST box office at (941) 366-9000 or at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

La estética del crimen. Atrévete a ser cómplice.

This week THEATER TALK profiles two theatrical successes with unorthodox roots - the first, Oh, Hello on Broadway with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, started out as skits in clubs and on TV, became a play off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theater - and is now a full-scale big-stage production at the Lyceum on 45th Street. The second hit, Shear Madness, is a phenomenon that has played around the world for 37 years and arrived in New York just one year ago.

This week THEATER TALK profiles two theatrical successes with unorthodox roots - the first, Oh, Hello on Broadway with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, started out as skits in clubs and on TV, became a play off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theater - and is now a full-scale big-stage production at the Lyceum on 45th Street. The second hit, Shear Madness, is a phenomenon that has played around the world for 37 years and arrived in New York just one year ago.

Audiences and critics are loving Shear Madness! Many dates are already full, so due to popular demand, Stages Repertory Theatre is thrilled to announce FOUR MORE WEEKS of performances.

Stages Repertory Theatre's creation of this SHEAR MADNESS is buoyed by an outstanding cast that handles comedy and improvisation with ease. The six actors onstage are quick on their feet, and so funny they can break each other up in many instances as the story unfolds.

Now BroadwayWorld can report that Adam Gerber, who created the role of 'Mike Thomas' in the off-Broadway play, will step into Kushnier's part; previews for PARAMOUR begin April 16 on Broadway.

Manny Kladitis, Jeffrey Chrzczon, Terry Schnuck, Kathleen K. Johnson, Jack Lane, Radio Mouse Entertainment, Schaffert/Hummel, Driemeyer-Sills Productions, David Gersten, Erach Screwvala, and The Shubert Organization, by special arrangement with Cranberry Productions, are proud to announce that the cast of Shear Madness celebrated the 100th Performance in New York City on Saturday evening January 16th. In honor of the occasion, Bruce Jordan and Marilyn Abrams, co-creators, surrounded by his cast and other company members, served up anniversary cake.  

The cast of Shear Madness rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell yesterday, December 10th, at the NASDAQ MarketSite, 4 Times Square (43rd & Broadway). In honor of the occasion, Bruce Jordan, co-creator and director, rang the Closing Bell, surrounded by his cast and other company members. The New York Premiere of the hit comedy whodunit Shear Madness is playing at New World Stages/Stage 4 (340 West 50th Street).

The long-running hit was originally penned as a psychology experiment.

The open-ended Off-Broadway engagement of Shear Madness just opened at New World Stages/Stage 4 (340 West 50th Street). Bruce Jordan directs a cast that features Adam Gerber,Jeremy Kushnier, Kate Middleton, Patrick Noonan, Jordan Ahnquist and Lynne Wintersteller. BroadwayWorld takes you inside opening night below!

The open-ended Off-Broadway engagement of SHEAR MADNESS just opened at New World Stages/Stage 4 (340 West 50th Street). Bruce Jordan directs a cast that features Adam Gerber, Jeremy Kushnier, Kate Middleton, Patrick Noonan, Jordan Ahnquist and Lynne Wintersteller. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!

The open-ended Off-Broadway engagement of SHEAR MADNESS is now playing at New World Stages/Stage 4 (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for tonight, November 11th. Bruce Jordan directs a cast that features Adam Gerber, Jeremy Kushnier, Kate Middleton, Patrick Noonan, Jordan Ahnquist and Lynne Wintersteller. BroadwayWorld has a fresh look at the cast in action below!

The open-ended Off-Broadway engagement of SHEAR MADNESS is now playing at New World Stages/Stage 4 (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for November 11th. Bruce Jordan directs a cast that features Adam Gerber, Jeremy Kushnier, Kate Middleton, Patrick Noonan, Jordan Ahnquist and Lynne Wintersteller. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The hit comedy whodunit SHEAR MADNESS begins performances tonight, October 22nd, at New World Stages. Opening night is set for November 11th, 2015.

BroadwayWorld has learned the Jonathan Spivey, who was previously announced for the role of 'Tony' in the New York Premiere of the hit comedy whodunit Shear Madness, has left the production due to scheduling conflicts.