After 36 years of performances throughout the U.S. and around the world, the hit comedy whodunit Shear Madness has finally found its way to New York. The show, created by Marilyn Abrams and Bruce Jordan (who also directs), began its long life as a summer show in upstate New York, but as audiences at it up it continued to grow and is now considered the longest running play in the Unites States according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
A very loose adaptation of the 1963 German play Scherenschnitt by Paul Pörtner, Shear Madness is a murder mystery farce placed in a New York City barbershop, said to be just a block away from the theater where the show takes place. The audience decides who the murderer is by actively playing a part in the investigation, so the ending can, and more than likely will, change every single night. The script has also changed over the years, updated so all of the jokes and references are relatable to the current times. You'll hear plenty of witty jokes about people such as Donald Trump, the Clintons, and the Kardashians.
The actors are, as you would expect, excellent improvisors, prepared to answer any question an audience member may throw out to them during the interrogation section. This cast works seamlessly together and because of that the flow of the show is very smooth. Especially driving the show are actors Jordan Ahnquist, who plays the flamboyant owner of the barbershop, and Patrick Noonan, who plays the manly-man cop from Queens investigating the case. Both of these actors, along with the rest of the cast, are amazing at audience control and interaction. Of course, with the extremely comedic nature of this show, there were a few obvious times the actors had to 'break' for at least a minute to let the giggles out. This really helped to bond the audience and the actors.
If you're looking for a laugh, Shear Madness has got you covered. With a script full of one liners, a truly comedic cast, and a different murderer every night you'll experience a one-of-a-kind night at the theatre.
