"Shear Madness" has been around for over 30 years. It is based on a play written in 1963 by German playwright and psychologist Paul Portner, who wrote it as a study of how differently people perceive the same reality. It was originally a serious whodunit where the audience shared their opinions as to who committed a murder. Under the revisions made by Bruce Jordan and Marilyn Abrams, it has become an interactive comedy, different in each performance because of the audience's contributions. This is the fourth time that "Shear Madness" has embellished the Vogel Hall stage. For some, it has become a cult play to be attended multiple times.

The setting is a unisex hair salon run by Tony (McGivern)

and Barbara (Mary MacDonald Kerr). The rest of the cast include salon customers Eddie Lawrence and Mrs. Schubert and cops Nick and Mike. The missing person, Isabel Czerny, owns the salon and lives upstairs. She is murdered with a haircutting scissors, and the four visitors are all suspects.

In Act II, the audience is asked to help solve the murder. Tarjan, who plays one of the cops, directs the questioning of the suspects and the interaction with willing audience members, who are also allowed to participate in the cross-examinations. This is where the improvisational skills of the actors come into play.

The entire cast is very competent, but McGivern, Tarjan and MacDonald stand above the rest. The set design by Geoffrey M. Curley is realistic and engaging.

Well directed by Tarjan, this production must be seen to be believed.

Because of its continued popularity, the run has been extended from Sunday to June 21 to accommodate those who waited too long for tickets. Call (414) 273-7121 for times and tickets.