If you are reading this, you are probably planning on seeing Shear Madness which is a play written by Paul Portner. In this review, I would like to prepare you for the comedic experience of a lifetime! To get you started, let us just say that the title of the play is a drastic understatement. This is truly a performance requiring opera glasses.

The play begins in a unisex hair salon; there are many types of people at coming in and out of the salon. We see many stereotypes, we see the dumb blond, homosexual hair dresser (played by John McGivern in the performance I attended.), the police officers, a high class woman, and of course the traditional red hot hunk of a man, which makes John McGivern’s character giggle with delight. In this scene we get the first bits of comedy. All of the characters seem to be sharing the most well guarded secrets with the hairdressers; much like as is found in the real world.

One thing that should be explained about Shear Madness is that much of this play is not scripted, but rather is performed in an improvisation. Much of what is discussed in the play; revolve around current events in the city and in the world. At times this improvisation is so funny that the actors themselves cannot contain their laughter, which of course makes the audience laugh harder. To ensure that you catch every slip up you will want to bring your opera glasses.

Shear Madness is very much an interactive play. As you attend, you will find that performers will periodically ask the audience for their opinions about the developing story. Many in attendance will shout out their answers which often vary wildly. This aspect alone will make this play unforgettable in your mind. If find that your seat is in the first few rows, be prepared, as you may find yourself as centerpiece of a joke. Remember, that all jokes are just in good fun.

Besides running a beauty salon and all of the gossip that it entails, Shear Madness’ plot pertains to a murder. The person murdered is the owner of the salon. The owner lived upstairs of the salon before she was murdered. As a member of the audience you are enthralled trying to figure out who the murderer is. Looking back at the play, each character in the play could possibly be the correct killer. You will find yourself squinting your eyes and eyebrows and scratching your head trying to figure out who committed the murder. Use your Opera glasses often to help you choose who the guilty murderer is.

There is one last twist me must tell you about this improvised performance, although the owner of the beauty salon is always the one who gets murdered at the beginning, the person who actually did the killing is different every time! As the plot develops the actors ask members of the audience for their opinions, and toward the end, a vote takes place in which the murderer is chosen. This development is always very comical, and you will love to hear the different reasons the killers give to justify their actions. There is one catch though, if you want to see why each murderer kills the owner, you will have to see it multiple times, as there is only one murderer in each showing!

The play Shear Madness is actually one of the longest running non musical plays being attended today. Many very popular critics such as The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, and reviewed this play, and have written wonderful things about it. There is no doubt you too will love this play, and want to see it again and again.

Opera glasses are always a crucial element in attending any performance, but especially this one. If you don’t bring your opera glasses, you are sure to miss moments, clues and laughs. Make sure you have a pair in hand before you walk out the door to go.

Jeff Bridges has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell opera glasses. Including Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!

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