SHEAR MADNESS Extends Breaking Record 11-week Run in Florida Rep's ArtStage Studio

Now playing in Florida Rep's ArtStage Studio Theatre, "Shear Madness" will extend its nearly sold out run to April 2nd, setting an 11-week record for the theatre. And for its final week, Florida Rep welcomes Lisa McMillan to the cast, who is currently appearing in the New York production.

"Shear Madness" is the longest running non-musical in American theatre history, and is still playing in Boston and Washington, D.C, after more than thirty years, "Shear Madness" has been seen by over 11-million people worldwide. Directed by Bruce Jordan, the play's co-creator and original director, Florida Rep's production opened on January 20th, and tickets have been scarce for more than two months.

This hilarious and ingenious murder mystery was voted "Best Comedy of the Year" in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and is now playing in New York to rave reviews. In "Shear Madness" chaos erupts at a not-so-typical hair salon when the old lady upstairs is mysteriously murdered and everyone's is a suspect. Unlike any other murder mystery, in "Shear Madness" the audience gets to spot the clues, question the suspects, and solve the mystery. The outcome is never the same and no two performances are alike.

"This play has been on our radar for a while," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "and I am delighted not only that we're producing it for Southwest Florida Audiences, but that we have the show's creator, Bruce Jordan, at the helm. Bruce knows his play like no one else does, and we're pleased our cast features ensemble members you know as well as 'Shear Madness' veterans from the recent New York production and the long-running Kennedy Center production. This play will leave you in stitches and is a very uniquely funny murder mystery that puts the audience in the detective's seat."

"Shear Madness" features an all-star cast including ensemble member, Sara Morsey ("Becky's New Car", "Dividing the Estate") and New York-based actors, Danny Bernardy, seen recently at the Kennedy Center, Timothy C. Goodwin, from the New York production of the play, Jennifer Byrne, and Jonathan Wiener. Also appearing is Florida Rep Acting Intern, Brady Wease, making his ArtStage debut. For the final week of the run, Lisa McMillan, from the New York production, will replace Florida Rep ensemble member, Sara Morsey as Mrs. Shubert.

Original co-creator and director, Bruce Jordan directs the production, and is joined by an expert team of designers including set designer, Jordan Moore ("Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End", "The Seafarer"), costume designer, Dina Perez ("Becky's New Car", "Too Marvelous For Words"), lighting designer, Kate Smith Paulus ("The Cocktail Hour", "Tribes"), sound designer, John Kiselica ("The Mousetrap", "Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End"), and production stage manager, Bree Sherry ("Twelve Angry Men").

"Shear Madness" plays in the ArtStage Studio Theatre through April 2. Regular performances are Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm with matinees on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2pm.

Priced at $52/$45, single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 and online at www.floridarep.org. Subscriptions for the 2016-2017 season offer the best seats and the biggest savings, and packages start as low as $125 for 3 plays.

"Shear Madness" is Generously Sponsored By Finemark National Bank and Trust.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with limited free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit Florida Rep online at FloridaRep.org, and by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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