“Shear Madness” at The Cosmopolitan
Cabaret
By Jennifer Benton
Staff Writer
 Bruce Jordan and Marilyn Abrams,
producers and creators of Shear Madness, worked together for the
first time at the Lake George Dinner Theater in Upstate New York in
1976. Jordan (a former high school teacher) was directing the
summer productions of I Do, I Do and Abrams (a former teacher as
well) was acting in the musical. They worked well and laughed hard
together as their friendship developed. The show ended but
something lasting had been forged and they nurtured the
relationship that would take them on the journey that has been
“Shear Madness”.
Later that year, Jordan discovered a play entitled “Scherenschitt”
while working in a Rochester theater. The play had been written in
1963 by German writer and psychologist Paul Portner. He had written
the script to use as a study of how people perceive or misperceive
reality. The new team decided to stage the play and set out to make
it their own and while the premise of the play has remained intact,
“Shear Madness” has evolved into much more than a psychological
study. This quick witted, laugh-a-minute gift, set in a unisex
salon which becomes the scene of a murder when the concert pianist
who lives upstairs is found murdered. Jordan and Abrams, working
together and sharing a passion, staged the play for the first time
in 1978 in Lake George, turning what was intended to be a serious
psychodrama, into an offbeat, interactive whodunit.
The show evolved with each performance, drawing in the audience.
Jordan and Abra m saw the “magical” chemistry between the actors
and the audience and they knew instantly they had a success on
their hands, purchased all of the rights to the play, and formed
their company Cranberry Productions. Since their debut performance,
“Shear Madness” has intrigued, involved and entertained audiences
successfully for more than 32 years; don’t miss your opportunity to
experience the magic yourself.
My husband and I saw a production of “Shear Madness” many years ago
in the Bay Area production and loved it every bit as much the
second time around. It’s different each time you see it as the
actors play off of the audience and include much improvisation.
They also play to the city they are performing in which gives you a
sense of familiarity, referencing local politicians and businesses.
Lol Levy returns to his role as an antiques dealer, Eddy and I
recognized him from his Bay Area performance. He was perfect in
this role, just as he was the first time we saw it. Another cast
member who commanded my attention was Jamie J. Jones who played the
affluent and impeccably manicured socialite, Mrs. Shubert. She was
hilarious and her comedic timing as impeccable as her freshly
polished fingernails.
 Jones is also co-director of the B
Street Theater Company Conservatory and a member of the B Street
Theater Acting Company. The entire cast was truly fantastic and
kept us both in stitches throughout the entirety of the show; there
was not a dull moment. I loved the Cosmopolitan Theater and
especially appreciated being able to enjoy a drink and small plate
during the show.
Tickets for the Sacramento Premiere of “Shear Madness” are $33,
Tuesdays-Thursdays at 8 p.m., Thursdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on
Sundays; and $38 for Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays
and Sundays at 2 p.m. Premium first-tier table seating is $5 extra.
For tickets call (916) 557-1999 or visit
www.CosmopolitanCabaret.com. Discounts are available for groups
of 12 or more by calling (916) 557-1198
Tickets are available in advance at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box
Office, 1419 H Street, (916) 557-1999. All performances are at The
Cosmopolitan Cabaret, 1000 K Street (at 10th street). Cabaret box
office is open two hours before performances. The Cosmopolitan
Cabaret is a 200-seat cabaret-style theatre, featuring 23 tables of
four and seven rows of tiered seating with beverage counters.
The Cabaret shares the ground floor of The Cosmopolitan building at
10th and K streets with Cosmo Café, a new restaurant from the
Paragary Restaurant Group, enjoyable as a pre-theatre dining
option. "Shear Madness",
America's longest-running play, opens at The Cosmopolitan Cabaret
for a 15 week run through the summer.
The front half of the room at the Cabaret offers
bistro-style table seating where you can enjoy cocktails, drinks or
appetizers before the show. Make your dinner or lunch reservation
at Cosmo Cafe by calling (916) 446-9800. Located in downtown
Sacramento, the Cosmopolitan Cabaret is an intimate setting,
offering seating for only 200. It looks and feels more like a
comedy club than a classic theater.
www.CosmopolitanCabaret.com
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