INVISIBLE THEATRE - PRESS RELEASE Press Contact: Cathy Johnson or Susan Claassen Administration: (520) 884-0672 Box Office: (520) 882-9721 1400 N. First Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 [email protected] www.invisibletheatre.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IT concludes its 44th Anniversary Season with Tucson’s Hilarious Whodunit

SHEAR MADNESS

Written by Paul Portner

Original Director: Bruce Jordan Original Producers: Marilyn Abrams & Bruce Jordan Original Adaptors: Marilyn Abrams & Bruce Jordan

April 7 - April 19, 2015

(March 11, 2015, Tucson, Arizona); IT concludes its 44th anniversary season with the Tucson premiere of SHEAR MADNESS directed by Susan Claassen. This unique comedy-whodunit takes place today in Tucson’s "Shear Madness" hairstyling salon and stars Eric Anson, Jesse Boone, Robert Encila,

Lori Hunt, Susan Kovitz, and Jack Neubeck. It is chock full of up-to-the-minute spontaneous humor!

During the course of the action, a murder is committed and the audience gets to spot the clues, question the suspects, and solve the funniest mystery in the annals of crime. The outcome is never the same, which is why many audience members return again and again to the scene of the mayhem. Over 11 million people worldwide have joined in the fun, and while no one has actually died laughing, some are still rolling in the aisles.

This production is made possible in part through the generous support of Sonora Investment Management

"Best Comedy of the Year!" - Globe

SHEAR MADNESS will play from April 7 - 19, 2015 with the official press opening on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. The Invisible Theatre is located at 1400 N. First Avenue (at Drachman), Tucson, AZ 85719.

The single show ticket price for SHEAR MADNESS is $30. Additional discounts are available for groups, seniors, active military and students. Rush tickets are available for purchase at half-price one half hour prior to performance time and are subject to availability.

Tickets are available for purchase by calling the Invisible Theatre Box Office at (520) 882-9721 and are also available 24/7 on-line through OvationTix at www.invisibletheatre.com.

The running time is 2 hours with an intermission.

Audiences are advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to curtain.

THE INVISIBLE THEATRE

The Invisible Theatre (IT) of Tucson, a 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to producing quality theatre and arts education experiences for all facets of the community in an intimate setting that showcases local professional talent and guest artists. IT takes its name from the invisible energy that flows between a performer and audience, creating the magic of theatre. Started in 1971 as an arena for local playwrights, the theatre has expanded its programs to include adaptations of classics and recent Off-Broadway plays and musicals, while continuing to encourage new playwrights through both full productions and stage readings. Under the leadership of Managing Artistic Director Susan Claassen, Associate Artistic Director James Blair, and Associate Producer Cathy Johnson, IT is strongly committed to community service and outreach programs. The company's current season includes a six play Main Stage season, many special events, Project Pastime – an educational theatre program for the mentally challenged including a video workbook, and seminars that encourage community dialogue. The Invisible Theatre, the recipient of the first Arizona Theatre Association Award for Best Producing Theatre Company, is a member of the Theatre Communications Group and has long enjoyed both local and national recognition for its strong leadership role in the arts community. Productions take place in an intimate 80-seat converted laundry building. IT celebrates this season with an even greater commitment to professionalism, artistic excellence, accessibility, freedom of expression, diverse programming and creative challenge – thus making the Invisible Theatre a very visible force in Tucson's cultural community.

2 ABOUT SHEAR MADNESS CREATORS

MARILYN ABRAMS (Cranberry Productions), original Co-producer, and BRUCE JORDAN (Cranberry Productions), original Co-producer/Director, are the owners and creators of SHEAR MADNESS, the longest-running non-musical play in American theater history. These two New York actors anticipated the trend for interactive theater and acquired the world (excepting German language) stage, film and television rights to a murder mystery originally titled Scherenschnitt, written by German playwright Paul Portner. In 1978 the play made its debut in the U.S. in a summer stock production in Lake George, New York. Mr. Jordan directed and created the role of Tony Whitcomb, salon proprietor, and Ms. Abrams created the role of Barbara DeMarco, the gum-chewing manicurist. This exuberant duo oversees the SHEAR MADNESS productions in Boston and Washington, D.C., while serving as advisers to companies in cities as diverse as Rome, Athens, Budapest, San Diego, , Fort Lauderdale, Johannesburg, Lisbon, Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires and Madrid. While each occasionally takes time out to pursue other stage and film work, both make frequent visits to SHEAR MADNESS cities where Mr. Jordan maintains the artistic quality of the productions and Ms. Abrams handles the sales and marketing. The 35-year-old Boston company is the longest-running play in American theater history with the Washington, D.C. production at the John F. Kennedy Center running in second place and the company third. The play has been listed in The Guinness Book of World Records and Boston’s Warrenton Street, location of the historic Charles Playhouse, is officially known as “Shear Madness Alley”. The Chicago company is the third longest running play in the history of the American theatre, completing a Shear Madness Theatrical Triple Crown. Other honors include the Mystery Writers of America Raven Award, The Boston Globe’s Best Comedy of the year, The Chicago Tribune’s Best Play of the Year, Boston’s Elliot Norton Award, The Los Angeles Dramalogue Award, the USO Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Theatrical Arts, and The Philadelphia Daily News’ Best Play of the Year. The play was awarded a special citation at the prestigious Elliot Norton Awards in Boston in 2005 for 25 years of hair-raising hi-jinks that have kept dozens of Boston actors employed and taught a generation of performers the art of comic timing. In October of 1997, Ms. Abrams and Mr. Jordan were the recipients of the Charlie Chaplin Comedy Award, given by the National Comedy Hall of Fame, as the creators of SHEAR MADNESS, the first play ever so honored. In June of 2014 the French production, Dernier Coup de Ciseaux, received the prestigious Moliere Award for Best Comedy.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

SUSAN CLAASSEN is celebrating her 40th anniversary with IT. As Managing Artistic Director, she has produced over 390 productions and directed over 90 including HANDLE WITH CARE. Suz was nominated for the 2011 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award and BroadwayWorld LA Award as Best Actress for her portrayal of Edith Head in A CONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD (www.edithhead.biz). She was most recently seen as Olive in IT’s OLIVE AND THE BITTER HERBS. Suz was selected as one of Arizona’s “48 Most Intriguing Women”, is a member of the League of Professional Theatre Women and has been a clown in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 2001. She has been a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1969 and dedicates her work to the living memory of her beloved mother, Goldie.

3 ABOUT THE CAST

ERIC ANSON (Eddie) is making his second appearance on the IT stage and IT is thrilled to have him! He was featured in last season’s OLIVE AND THE BITTER HERBS. Eric has been acting in Tucson theater for over 20 years. Some of his favorite recent performances include playing Ethan in THE ALTRUISTS, Kanaka in PSYCHO BEACH PARTY, Ken in THE FIFTH OF JULY, Andre in THE DINNER PARTY, Joe in KILLER JOE, Donner in THE EIGHT REINDEER MONOLOGUES, Knee Pad in ROBOTS VS FAKE ROBOTS, Michael Starkwedder in THE UNEXPECTED GUEST, and Rocky in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. In addition, Eric has performed many murder mysteries with Act One and children’s theatre (which he loves) with A.C.T. and Altogether Theater. By day, Dr. Anson is a respected computer scientist!

JESSE BOONE (Mikey) returns to the IT stage after appearing in HANDLE WITH CARE. He also recently performed in LES MISERABLES with Arizona Onstage Productions and QUEST OF THE CAVEMAN with the Great American Playhouse. Jesse also acts in short films, full features, and has done several commercials. He graduates in May from the University of Arizona with degrees in Theatre and Communication. Jesse previously studied acting at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, and he will attend the International Academy of Film and Television in Los Angeles starting in the fall of 2015.

ROBERT ENCILA (Tony) is the founding artistic director of Studio Connections, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to excellence in performing arts education. A veteran certified teacher of theatre and music, Robert manages to take an occasional break from the studio/classroom to perform on local and national stages. He has performed off-Broadway and maintains a regular stint as a soloist with A Jazz Nativity at the Birdland and BB King’s. Robert has appeared in numerous productions with Borderlands Theater and Arizona Theater Company and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. SHEAR MADNESS marks his final performance in Arizona as he prepares to relocate Studio Connections to his native Philippines.

LORI HUNT (Barbara) is delighted to be back at IT once again for SHEAR MADNESS, having opened this season with A KID LIKE JAKE. She was last onstage at Live Theatre Workshop with the one-woman show, 9 PARTS OF DESIRE, and she can also currently be seen in local commercials buying Buicks. She is the recipient of the 2013 Tucson area MAC award for playing Mindy in Arizona Onstage’s production of FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS. Some of her favorite roles have been on IT’s stage, in such shows as FOX ON THE FAIRWAY (Pamela), THE LETTERS (Anna), and LEAVING IOWA (Character Gal). Lori has trained at the University of Arizona here in Tucson and at the Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres in Los Angeles. In her spare time, Lori likes to read, cook, and take long baths, although not all at once.

SUSAN KOVITZ (Mrs. Shubert) made her long overdue IT debut in the 2009 LEAVING IOWA and followed it with the world premiere of LOOK MA WE’RE DANCING and MOTHERHOOD OUTLOUD She was most recently seen in OLIVE AND THE BITTER HERBS. Some of Susan’s favorite productions include THE FIFTH OF JULY, LEND ME A TENOR, 6 RMS RVR VU, THE DINNER PARTY and DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER. A former high school drama and art teacher, she has also appeared in nearly 100 interactive murder mysteries where she variously died, killed someone, or brought a murderer to justice. A B.F.A. graduate of Rockford College, Susan also studied at Regents College in . When not on stage, Susan is on stage - teaching aerobics and fitness classes at Canyon Ranch.

JACK NEUBECK (Nick) is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. After nearly 20 years in and around , and over 2500 performances on Broadway, including the original Broadway casts of EVITA and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Jack moved to Tucson in 1986 and became part of the IT family in 1989 playing El Gallo in THE FANTASTICKS. He has been a treasured member of the IT family ever since, performing in such favorites as LOST IN YONKERS, COOKIN’ WITH GUS, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND, IN THE MOOD, THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY and most recently OLIVE AND THE BITTER HERBS. Two of his proudest IT highlights were his collaborations with Susan Claassen and Jeffrey Haskell in ONCE AND FOREVER, a musical tribute to Irving Berlin, and the startup of SIZZLING SUMMER SOUNDS.

4 FACTS ABOUT SHEAR MADNESS

WHO: Written by Paul Portner Original Director: Bruce Jordan Original Producers: Marilyn Abrams & Bruce Jordan Original Adaptors: Marilyn Abrams & Bruce Jordan Directed by Susan Claassen Starring Susan Kovitz (Mrs. Shubert), Eric Anson (Eddie), Jack Neubeck (Nick), Lori Hunt (Barbara), Jesse Boone (Mikey) and Robert Encila (Tony)

WHAT: The Tucson Premiere of SHEAR MADNESS

WHERE: The Invisible Theatre 1400 N. First Avenue (at Drachman), Tucson, AZ. 85719

WHEN: Audiences are advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to curtain. Season Ticket Holders will be seated and then general admission.

Tuesday, 4/7, 7:30 p.m. (Preview) Wednesday, 4/8, 7:30 p.m. (Opening) Thursday, 4/9, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 4/10, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 4/11, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 4/12, 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 4/15, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 4/16, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 4/17, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 4/18, 3:00 p.m. Saturday, 4/18, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 4/19, 3:00 p.m. (Closing)

RUNNING TIME: 2 hours with an intermission

PRODUCTION STAFF: DIRECTOR: Susan Claassen TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: James Blair SET DESIGN: Susan Claassen and James Blair SOUND DESIGN: Gail Fitzhugh LIGHT DESIGN: James Blair PROP DESIGN: James Blair COSTUME DESIGN: Maryann Trombino EQUITY STAGE MANAGER: Susan Claassen STAGE MANAGER: Fred Rodriguez ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Josh Hamra GRAPHIC & PROGRAM DESIGN: Karen Scott & Christine Simpson, Great Scott Design, Inc 5 TO PURCHASE TICKETS OR FOR INFORMATION: To charge tickets by phone, call the Invisible Theatre Box Office at (520) 882-9721. Visit the Box Office in the Invisible Theatre Lobby (1400 N First Avenue at Drachman). To buy tickets online 24/7, go to www.invisibletheatre.com and click on the OvationTix logo. Visa, M/C, Discover and American Express are accepted.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: The Invisible Theatre is fully accessible to patrons using wheelchairs or with other mobility challenges. Seating areas to accommodate persons using wheelchairs are located in the theatre. If patrons require special seating they should inform the Box Office at (520) 882-9721.

ABOUT THIS PRESS RELEASE: This mailing list is for members of the professional media and allied organizations who have requested e-mail press releases from The Invisible Theatre. If you no longer wish to receive e-mail press releases or if there is someone else with your organization that should be added to our list, send a message to [email protected] with your request, or phone (520) 884-0672.

ONLINE MEDIA MATERIALS: Available March 23, 2015 at the Media Center, www.invisibletheatre.com.

Invisible Theatre 1400 N. First Avenue at Drachman Tucson, AZ 85719 Box Office – (520) 882-9721 Administration – (520) 884-0672 Fax – (520) 884-5410 www.invisibletheatre.com

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