The immersive comedy, “Shear Madness,” is a show business legend. Indeed, its engagement running through August 26 at the Lake George Dinner Theater at the Lake George Holiday Inn Resort, can justifiably be called a triumphant return to its roots. It all started at the Lake George Dinner Theater in 1978 and had a return engagement the following year in 1979.
It has even stronger local connections. Friends and local actors Bruce Jordan and Marilyn Abrams, who were deeply involved in area theater in the 1970’s, decided to create a vehicle for themselves. They chose to create an interactive comedy and obtained rights to adapt a serious German play by Paul Portner.
Even after the national and international success of “Shear Madness” both kept their local ties. Indeed, Jordan still has a residence in the Stockade District of Schenectady. Abrams recently sold her Albany home and moved to Manhattan.
Jordan, who starred-in and directed the original is directing the production at Lake George. If anyone knows how the comedy operates, it’s him. He has directed almost all the U.S. productions.
It’s an impressive list. There have been 115 separate productions around the country. It’s been translated into 28 different languages and has broken records and run for decades in Boston, Washington, DC and Chicago. It also broke the house record when it played at Albany’s Capital Repertory Theatre in 2009. It even has New York City credentials, as it played at the New World Stages for over 600 performances. It’s estimated that the show has been seen by 13.8 million people.
In a recent telephone interview, Jordan reminisced saying from the minute he walked in to the Holiday Inn at Lake George he was “almost overwhelmed by nostalgia.” The memories of another time kept flooding over him as they rehearsed this production in the local high school at which he once taught.
The premise of “Shear Madness” is that for much of the first act we see the workings of a beauty shop. It’s a typical comedy, as people go about their business making jokes and observations. Tony, a flamboyant hair dresser and Barbara the enigmatic manicurist chat and jest with the various customers. Jordan says this section is constantly being updated to include contemporary situations and local references.
However, the comedy takes a turn when a murder is discovered and it’s revealed two customers are detectives casing the place. As the detectives question the characters they answer with inconsistencies and outright lies.
House lights are turned up and the detectives ask the audience to verify what they saw against what the characters claim. The audience is invited to ask questions and challenge the statements. The actors, staying in character, respond using comic quips and evasive jokes. At the end of the show, the audience is asked to vote on who committed the murder.
Jordan says on opening night in 1978 he was like every actor who has since taken a role in the show. “It’s impossible not to wonder what happens if the audience doesn’t participate?” he says.
The enthusiastic response and interaction of the audience on opening night was better than he ever dreamed. “Not once in 45 years have we not had an audience throw themselves into the situation. I had no idea that audiences can be bigger hams than actors,” he jokes. In fact, he says, at this point, the most fun for him is watching the audience during a performance. “It is so amazing and fun-filled, it always gives me a thrill.”
After 45 years and simultaneous productions in major cities, Jordon marvels at how each show strictly follows the prepared script, yet is different and fresh every night. He is especially fond of shows in an intimate dinner theater environment. “I love it when people start disagreeing with the people at the same table.”
Surprisingly, Jordan says he doesn’t cast actors for their ability to wing it on stage. “It’s important, of course,” he says. “But I look to cast people who can act. It’s all about the murder. If the audience doesn’t believe it really happened and that everyone onstage might have done it – the comedy can’t work.” It’s an important reason the production is cast with members of the professional Actors’ Equity union.
Welcome home, “Shear Madness.” It plays at the Holiday Inn Resort on Canada Street in Lake George, through August 26. Luncheon matinees are Tues, Wed, Thurs. seating at 11:30 am., performance 1 p.m. Dinner shows are Wednesday through Saturday. Seating starts at 6 p.m., curtain is 7:30 p.m. Running time is two hours, with an intermission. For tickets and menu information call 518-668-5762 ext. 411 or go to lakegeorgedinnertheatre.org
Bob Goepfert is theater reviewer for the Troy Record.
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