Paul Pörtner

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.

Shear Madness an audience interactive murder mystery whodunit play is the second of this seasons Straz-Produced productions produced fully in-house in the Straz Center’s Jaeb Theatre. Featuring a cast of local area talent, and spotlighting the incredible performers residing here in the bay area, Shear Madness is one of the longest-running non-musical plays in the world.

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.

But 'Shear Madness,' the madcap murder mystery comedy that lets its audience vote each night on the identity of the perpetrator, owes a lot of its popularity to the show's willingness to update itself on essentially a daily basis, so that the jokes and setting feel as fresh and exhilarating as possible. After all, the show started nearly 40 years ago in Boston, where you can still find it running at the venerable Charles Playhouse today.

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.

The madness erupts at a hairstyling salon when suddenly, between a shampoo and a style, the old lady upstairs gets mysteriously murdered and everyone's dying to know whodunit?

On March 20th, 2019 The Ivoryton Playhouse opens its doors for a new season - a year full of exciting, affordable professional theatre. Plays for romantics and plays for cynics; shows for families and shows for sweethearts;  music from the movies and Broadway as well as zany comedies and classic dramas- the Ivoryton Playhouse 2019 season has something for everyone and more than you ever expected.

Penobscot Theatre Company is delighted to produce the madcap comedy Shear Madness by Paul Portner to conclude its 44th Season. Performances will run June 14-July 8 at the historic Bangor Opera House.

Penobscot Theatre Company is delighted to produce the madcap comedy Shear Madness by Paul Portner to conclude its 44th Season. Performances will run June 14-July 8 at the historic Bangor Opera House.

Penobscot Theatre Company will produce Shear Madness by Paul Portner to cap its 44th Season, and discounted tickets are now on sale to subscribers alone. Performances will run June 14-July 8 at the Bangor Opera House. Penobscot Theatre Company subscribers, including half-season, snowbird, and FlexPass subscribers, receive $5 off the regular price of $38 per adult. 'A bargain!' exclaimed Executive Director Mary Budd. 'Especially when you break it down to cost per laugh.'  

Sex With Strangers, the recent off-Broadway hit show, kicks off Good Theater's 16th season.  Written by Laura Eason, one of the writers on the hit tv series House of Cards, this two character comedy is about the publishing industry and how far someone will go to get ahead.  

Florida Repertory Theatre, an Associate Member of the National New Play Network, is seeking submissions for its 2017 PlayLab Festival slated for April 27 - 30. The fourth annual festival is an intensive weekend of rehearsals, readings, talkbacks, and development that brings playwrights, directors, and actors together to hone five new plays in a laboratory setting.

The world-famous sex therapist visits the wacky Off-Broadway murder mystery hit.

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (FAC) has announced the line?up for the 2016?2017 season which starts Sept. 1 and will include world?renowned artists such as James Surls, life?changing workshops like the Military Artistic Healing program, and award?winning theatre productions such as Shrek: The Musical.

Another chapter in the thirty-seven year history of Paul Portner's interactive comedy, Shear Madness, has opened on the stage of Portland's Good Theater, and the side-splittingly funny, quick-paced murder mystery which Brian P. Allen and his excellent cast serve up is not to be missed!

Good Theater presents SHEAR MADNESS by Paul Portner, directed by Brian P. Allen (original director Bruce Jordan). The show plays at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress Street, Portland starting January 27 and going for eight weeks through March 20. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Still not over Jimmy Fallon performing at #Ham4Ham? Have you been too anxious for BroadwayCon this weekend? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

Good Theater presents SHEAR MADNESS by Paul Portner, directed by Brian P. Allen (original director Bruce Jordan). The show plays at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress Street, Portland starting January 27 and going for eight weeks through March 20. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Good Theater, the professional theater company in residence at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, kicks off its 14th season tonight, September 23, with the original musical revue, NO BIZ LIKE SHOW BIZ. This show is a tribute to Mary Martin and Ethel Merman starring three singers: Marie Dittmer, Lynne McGhee and Jen Means.

Good Theater, the professional theater company in residence at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, kicks off its 14th season on September 23 with the original musical revue, NO BIZ LIKE SHOW BIZ.  This show is a tribute to Mary Martin and Ethel Merman starring three singers:  Marie Dittmer, Lynne McGhee and Jen Means.