REVIEW: ‘Shear Madness’ at Meadow Brook Theatre is Murderously Funny

Cut, color, and murder! Put all those years of watching “Law & Order” to use and help figure out ‘whodunit’ in Shear Madness running through June 22, 2025, at Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

Written by Paul Pörtner, Shear Madness is the first show that MBT has remounted, apart from A Christmas Carol, since Travis W. Walter became artistic director 15 years ago. The 2017 production included two of this show’s cast members, Leslie Ann Handelman and Chris Stinson (The Angel Next Door). Shear Madness has also enjoyed a historic run in Washington, D.C., where Joseph Delguste (in his MBT debut) and Francis Kelly participated in numerous productions.

Rounding out this hysterical cast are two familiar MBT faces – Stephen Blackwell (Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure ) and Lynnae Lehfeldt, who certainly knows her way around a dead body (Clue: On Stage, Murder on the Orient Express), but does that make her character a murderer?

From the moment you enter the theatre, you know you’re in for a great time. Fun, upbeat music by artists like Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, and Rochester Hills’ own Madonna greeted the audience. The set designs are just as lively. Infused with teal and pink-ish red accents that complement the characters’ costumes. But what makes Shear Madness so entertaining is the way it personalizes the show to the city it is playing in.

Set in Rochester, Michigan, the Shear Madness Hair Salon is owned by the flamboyant Tony Whitcomb (Francis Kelly), who seems to be more interested in kibitzing with others than doing any work. While in the middle of a shave, he admits the last time he shaved someone was at Crittenton… Ascension… Providence… Henry Ford! This is a comical jab at all the name changes the hospital has gone through in recent years. Kelly is Nathan Lane-level funny as Tony, and his impression of Carol Channing in Hello Dolly was killer. But does that make him a murderer?  

Joining Tony in the salon is the equally colorful Barbara Demarco (Leslie Ann Handelman), a sexy siren who flaunts her assets in a bright blue bodycon dress with fishnet stockings and red heels. Handelman plays the role with sass and street smarts. That’s right. She’s no dummy. She once worked with the FBI. The Ferndale Beauty Institute, that is. Also in the mix is Eddie Lawrence (Stephen Blackwell), whose reason for being at the salon is highly suspect. Eddie is a shady antiques dealer, and you can feel the greasiness oozing off Blackwell and his shiny three-piece suit. You could tell Blackwell was having fun bringing the smarminess to life. Could Barbara and Eddie be in cahoots for murder? Finally, there is the socialite Mrs. Shubert (Lynnae Lehfeldt), one of Barbara’s regular customers who loves reminding people she lives on the ‘right’ side of Woodward Avenue. When you’re rich with places to be, who has time for a pesky thing like murder, right?

With all this talk about murder, you’re probably wondering about the victim, Isabel, a reclusive concert pianist who is Tony’s landlady and upstairs neighbor. While never seen on stage, Isabel drives Tony crazy with her incessant piano playing and he vows to “Shut that bitch up for once and for all if it’s the last thing I do!” Is that a confession?

All the characters have motive and opportunity for wanting Isabel dead, but whodunnit? Trying to sort fact from fiction are a pair of ‘Mutt and Jeff’ Rochester police officers, Nick O’Brien (Joseph Delguste) and Mikey Thomas (Chris Stinson), who clearly could use a little help getting some straight answers. And that’s where the audience comes in. Audience participation is the second-best entertaining part of Shear Madness.

Throughout the entire play, the actors are in full view of the audience, even at intermission. They never leave the stage. So, as you’re watching, pay close attention and look for clues. At my show, the audience (“A Pack of Nancy Drews”) was invested in helping the investigation and was not shy about calling out a character in a lie. I regret I cannot divulge the methods employed to catch Isabel’s killer because that would spoil the fun of this madcap show.

What I can tell you is that with Shear Madness, you never know what is coming through the door or out of the closet. Once the laughs start, they don’t stop. This cast is deadly funny, and they had me laughing so hard I was lucky to catch my breath before the next zinger was launched. The dialogue, delivery, and level of improvisation are impeccable. The actors must think fast on their feet and do a heck of a job keeping a straight face while delivering their lines.

Shear Madness is a quirky and clever bit of entertainment that will leave you lighter than when you sat down, and I highly recommend checking it out.

Are you smarter than a murderer? Make an appointment today to see Shear Madness and find out. You’re guaranteed to curl up and die with laughter.

Shear Madness runs two hours with a 15-minute intermission.

MBT has rated this show for audience members in middle school and older.

Originally directed by Bruce Jordan, MBT’s Shear Madness is directed by Travis W. Walter. Scenic design is by Brian Kessler, costume design by Corey Collins, lighting design by Reid G. Johnson, and sound design by Brendan Eaton. Liz Goodall is the costume coordinator, and the assistant lighting designer is Phill Hall. Brittanie Nichole Sicker is the stage manager, and Stacy White is the assistant stage manager.

Tickets range from $39 to $48 and are available by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre box office at 248-377-3300 or going online at www.Ticketmaster.com. Student discounts are available at the box office. Groups of eight or more should call 248-370-3316 for group pricing.