"Shear Madness," the Studio Arena Theatre's last production of the season, is sheer fun. It's a play that has had lengthy runs in cities all over the world, playing in Washington, D.C. for 14 years and for 22 years in Boston. In Buffalo, due to its popularity, its run has been extended for two weeks, until April 27. What makes it so popular? A number of things: In each city that "Shear Madness" plays, it is set in that particular city. In addition, there is a great deal of audience participation. And last, but certainly not least, the acting is excellent.
All action takes place at a unisex hair salon on Elmwood Avenue. Before the play begins, the audience watches the madness going on in the salon and wonders who would dare venture through its doors, let alone have their hair done in that bright pink room with its black-and-white tiled floor.
But people do venture in, and the mix of characters is simply hilarious. There's Barbara DeMarco (Robin Long), who works at the salon and is friendly with the landlady, who happens to be Isabel Crzney, a famous pianist ready to make a comeback. Crzney also lives in an apartment upstairs and practices loudly all day. Tony Whitcomb is a very funny gay beautician and is played extremely well by Jimmy Janowski. Crzney's practicing is driving him crazy. Jeanne Cairns plays Mrs. Schubert, a socially prominent matron who went to Buffalo Seminary and lives on Nottingham Terrace, "across from the park," she says. She is a customer, as is Eddie Lawrence (Richard Wesp).
Suddenly Isabel Crzney's music is quieted. She has been stabbed to death with a pair of hair-cutting shears. Enter two policemen and the fun begins. As policeman Nick Rossetti, Christopher Tarjan takes charge. He is simply wonderful! In order to solve the mystery, he calls for help from members of the audience who saw what was going on in the beauty salon at the time of the murder, and the audience has a great time volunteering theories right up to the intermission, at which point Rossetti meets with them in the lobby so that the discussion can continue. The last I saw of him, he was leading a group into the bar!
This madness continues with Act II and, as no definite suspect is revealed, the audience is asked to vote for the murderer. A show of hands is tallied and the play continues with the suspect the audience has chosen revealing why "he done it." Thus each performance has a different ending, much like "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," a mystery/musical comedy which also has endings chosen by the audience. Does that explain its packed houses? Are people returning to see a different ending each time?
There are occasions when we need something that is just pure fun and "Shear Madness" fits that bill.
Characters are totally stereotyped, but they are so funny. Audiences delight in references to the Buffalo Bills and the Sabres, Allentown and Lackawanna, even Cellino and Barnes at the hospital looking for clients. Tarjan, as Rossetti, pulls everything together, constantly thinking on his feet as he ad libs with audience members.
"Shear Madness" appeals to a broad range of theatergoers. It is the kind of production that appeals to inveterate theatergoers as well as those who rarely see live theater. It's a fitting end to a very good season at the Studio Arena Theatre. The theater is located at 710 Main St. in Buffalo. Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 1-800-77-STAGE or online at www.studioarena.org.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | April 8 2003 |