Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...To say that “Shear Madness” deviates from the progressive moral earnestness of pretty much every other show in town is to understate the contrast. And that might also explain why I was surrounded Wednesday night by a diverse and enthusiastic audience raising their hands and jumping into this show like a desperate second-tier candidate at a Democratic debate. I was mightily impressed by all the enthusiasm. All that and new gags about Jeffrey Epstein, cause, hey, that’s tasteful."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...But the results from this new production, directed by Warner Crocker, suggest the formula could use an update. Scratch that: It’s in desperate need of one. Not the murder mystery part, which is tailor-made for the age of true crime podcasts and reddit sleuths; nor the audience interactivity part, which Crocker’s cast handles swimmingly with the delightful combo of generosity and puckish wit. No, it’s the jokes. Sweet lord in heaven, the jokes. A near-constant barrage of tired puns, bewildering malapropisms, pop culture references of varying freshness, and enough instances of “insert local gag here” jokes to choke Humboldt Park’s own Chance the Snapper."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...The current Mercury Theater Chicago revival, directed by Warner Crocker, is by design tipsy and "fun." Actors break character all the time, ad lib ad nauseum, or fake cracking up (like the late Harvey Korman used to do way too often on The Carol Burnett Show). And then about halfway through it all the fourth wall is ripped down, and the audience is invited to "participate" in the "solving" of the "murder." I suppose this kind of thing must have seemed daring in 1963, when Pörtner's original play opened. But today the premise is too tired to even be called retro. There is nothing novel about Crocker's point-and-click direction."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...This play has been running somewhere for over 40 years. I recall its days at The Blackstone Hotel, on South Michigan Avenue and its reboot/rebirth in the lower level of The Chicago Theater , where a small stage was built. It has always been a fun murder mystery where the audience helps to decide which of the characters IS the guilty party. It all takes place in a beauty salon, as it turns out a three story building. On the second floor is a woman who at one time was the most famous pianist in the world. On the third floor, the apartment of the salon owner Tony Whitcomb ( played to perfection by Chicago favorite Ed Kross). Kross is what the authors had in mind when they wrote this show."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Mercury Theater has done it again. Following such recent hilarious productions as “Spamalot” and “Little Shop of Horrors,” Walter Sterns once again brings some welcome, unabashedly silly comedy to entertain Chicagoans during these cold winter months. As someone astutely put it, theatergoers should just check their brains at the door, grab an adult drink and settle in for a delightful evening of inscrutable, interactive fun and foolery. How often can you attend a show, particularly a murder mystery, and actually become part of the company of characters? This comedy that cleverly marries its story, the cast and everyone in the audience to solve a crime is an evening of pure, Agatha Christie ecstasy."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The show would not work without a talented cast gifted with selling the broad humor without apology. The actors don’t perform like they are slumming, and their respect for the jokes and antics communicates itself to the viewers, who are lured into accepting all the nonsense because the actors don’t condescend the material."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...With expert environment and tight direction, the other reason Shear Madness succeeds is that every actor is adept at creating a character- they have to be, because they don't know which ending they're performing. Each performer devises devilishly clever improvisation to fill in the blanks until they do. When they call out the would-be-detectives in the crowd, there are even times when the audience seems like it will dye laughing."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...I can’t say enough about how much fun Shear Madness is. There is a reason for that 17-year run, and the show has lost absolutely nothing with age. (I guess there is no statute of limitations for utter silliness.) Come to participate, come to laugh, come to play detective: whatever your reasons and expectations, you will have a good time. Shear Madness is sheer joy. If you never saw the original, or if you merely want to revisit the fun, don’t miss it."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...In Chicago, “Shear Madness” ran at the Blackstone for 17 years before closing in 1999, as well as a 2007 production that landed downstairs at The Chicago Theatre. The reason for its success is simple: it is a show that, much like stand-up comedy, makes two guarantees: 1.) You will never see the same show twice, and, 2.) You will very nearly laugh your face off every time. This unique play—an interactive murder mystery with a script that layers itself anew with the urban landscape and socio-political flashpoints—performs best in an intimate, engaging, earthy kind of environment to nest in where its accessibility to the audience allows it to reach full comic potential."
Splash Magazine - Somewhat Recommended
"...The acting and performances were all hilarious, but the show consisted of one too many gags and puns that got a bit tiring after a while. If there had been fewer of them, the jokes themselves would have been funnier, and have had much more impact on the audience."
