AMERICA’S LONGEST RUNNING PLAY, SHEAR MADNESS, RINGS IN NEW YEAR IN FLORIDA REP’S ARTSTAGE STUDIO THEATRE

AMERICA’S LONGEST RUNNING PLAY, SHEAR MADNESS, RINGS IN NEW YEAR IN FLORIDA REP’S ARTSTAGE STUDIO THEATRE

FORT MYERS, FL – Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce that “Shear Madness”, the longest running non-musical in American theatre history, will play in the ArtStage Studio Theatre Jan. 17 to Mar. 12. Still playing in Boston and Washington, D.C. after more than thirty years, “Shear Madness” is America’s favorite comic whodunit that’s been seen by over 11 million people worldwide.

This hilarious and ingenious murder mystery has been voted “Best Comedy of the Year” in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and is now playing in New York to rave reviews. Florida Rep’s production is set to be directed by the show’s co-creator and original director, Bruce Jordan.

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 will feature 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 will be Florida Rep Acting Intern, Brady Wease, making his ArtStage debut.

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 January 20- March 12 with four sold-out previews January 17 at 8pm, January 18 at 8pm, and January 19 at 2pm and 8pm. Performances Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm with matinees on Thursday, Sunday, and selected Saturdays.

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.