Secluded Vacation

Chances are, you have heard of Shear Madness, perhaps from a friend, or relative, and are considering attending a performance. My recommendation is that you should not attend, unless you would like to feel physical pain, and suffering from extreme laughter. However if you feel like you cheek and stomach muscles are in healthy enough shape, you may be able to endure this marathon of laughter. Opera glasses are very necessary for a performance of this type.

As we begin the performance we find ourselves in unisex hair salon. We see that the stereotypical gossip is happening in this salon, just as it happens in real life. As the clients sit to get their hair cut, their deepest secrets seem to fall with the hair trimmings. We listen to the stories of the performers, and we get our first tastes of comedy, much of this play is improvised by the actors. As you watch Shear Madness, you begin to see the all too stereotypical characters, you have the ditsy blond, a gay hairdresser (played wonderfully by John McGivern in the performance I saw in Milwaukee.) a police officer, high class women, and of course, the all American hunk which makes McGivern’s character giggle.

This play is ever changing as the topics of interest revolve around current events going on around the city Shear Madness is open in and the United States hot topics. The current events are twisted into a funny light. The characters use a lot of improvisation and sometimes the actors cannot contain their own laughter which only makes you laugh even harder. To make sure you see each actor slip up trying hard not to giggle, bring your Opera glasses.

During the play, all of a sudden, one of the characters will speak to the audience and ask for your opinion. People shout out the answer. Answers vary and it adds an entire new dimension to the already hilarious play. Be careful if you sit in the front three rows as you may be spotted out as the butt of a witty joke. Do not worry; the jokes are funny yet silly.

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.

What makes this comedy play different than any other play is that the guilty murderer is different each time. The characters in the play will talk to the audience and ask them questions. The audience actually votes and chooses who the murderer is. As odd as this may sound, it is really a very clever concept. Some people even see this play more than once and usually see a different ending.

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!