WEST SPRINGFIELD — “Madness” certainly is the operative word for “Shear Madness,” Paul Portner's record-setting audience involvement and involving comedy that is opening Majestic Theater’s 2024-25 season on an exuberant, madcap note. THEATER REVIEW What: “Shear Madness” by Paul Portner. Directed by Bob Lohrmann With: Steven Sands, Elizabeth Pietrangelo, Jeff Haffner, Benita Zahn, Jack Grigoli, Michael DeVito Who: Majestic Theater Where: 131 Elm St.
, West Springfield When: Through Oct. 20 Performances: 7 p.m.
Wednesdays and Sundays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.
m. Saturdays and Sundays Running time: 2 hours, 19 minutes (including one intermission) Tickets: $35, 38; $36 (seniors – 65 and older; students – K-12 and college) Reservations and information: 413-747-7797; majestictheater.com Originally titled “Scherenschnitte” (“Scissor Cuts”), the play was first produced in Portner’s native Germany in 1963.
With some rewriting and a new title, “Shear Madness” made its U.S. debut in January 1980 when it opened in Boston at Charles Playhouse Stage II.
“Shear Madness” closed on March 15, 2020, after 40 years and nearly 13,000 performances. It is considered the longest running nonmusical in American theater history and has been widely produced throughout the United States and overseas. This buoyant, somewhat freewheeling, occasionally improvised, audience participation whodunit is set in a hair salon, Shear Madness, in whatever city th.