This "comedy" was not funny. My wife and I were hoping for an entertaining evening and this looked promising. The audience was predominantly teenagers most of whom weren't laughing either. We left halfway through the show. read more

Took in the Shear Madness show at the Kennedy Center during our DC trip. It was absolutely fantastic. Love all the references to recent events, the physical comedy, and the audience participation. Would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to take in a light hearted show with fantastic actors. read more

The actors did a great job in terms of acting although the play's plots and characters aren't something that I'm fond of. Despite the jokes being not too kid-friendly in the presence of a lot of kids watching in the audience, the actors did the best with what they have, and their interactions with the audience shows their professionalism to the entire act, as they are able to improvise and react quickly to whatever the audience throws at them. The interactions between the actors and the audience in the intermission shows their dedication to the act. Actors are 9.5/10, though the entire play and the plot is maybe a 6/10. read more

Shear Madness - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The play Sheer Madness took place at The Theater Lab located in the historic John F. Kennedy Center named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. Sheer Madness was slapstick comedy at its finest. If The Carol Burnett Show and The Bennie Hill Show had a baby that was located in a hair salon it would probably be called Sheer Madness. The actors were awesome. I do not know how they kept their laughter bottled up because I would not have been able to do it. The play kept my attention from the time the actors took the stage until the time they left. I love how the actors involved the crowd. This involvement kept us on our toes. I wish there was more than one person at the concession stand during intermission, because several of us were not able to purchase anything due the intermission timeframe. The seats were comfortable and every seat in this theater had a great vantage point, which was awesome. Overall my friend and I enjoyed ourselves. read more

Shear Madness - On the Sheer Madness red carpet - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Shear Madness was a hilarious mix of scripted and improv all about a murder in a hair salon. At the Kennedy Center, it's hosted upstairs in a smaller, more intimate theater. The cast was incredible - funny, quick with improv, and perfectly fit their roles. The jokes are topical, integrating recent pop culture references and lots of DC-specific commentaries. The show does have some innuendos/adult jokes and plays on some stereotypes. Everything was original, and how they incorporated the audience into the show was fantastic. After intermission, the audience participated in questioning the suspects. They even called out the names of several tourist groups in the audience. It's a great activity if you're looking for a fun night with many laughs! read more

Such a great experience. It was my first time seeing shear madness and it was such a fun murder mystery. They engage with the audience a lot as well and i loved that concept! read more

Fun wholesome experience for all ages! It's an interactive play - I went with my aunts and uncles and would go back.

Entertaining with a capital E. This production was very funny and engaging. It's still true to its original roots from 1988, a who-dun-it set in a Washington DC hair salon complete with plot twists, audience participation and references to current events - Chinese spy ballon! The cast is incredible - complimentary talents played in both scripted and long form improv. Well done. If you are looking for something that is truly DC at its heart, engaging and entertaining, get your tickets today. Bring a friend or two. read more

Awesome show. Very talented actors. They get the audience involved. I had a lot of fun and not just for adults, but also my teenage son thought it was a blast. read more

BRILLIANT COMEDY!! Seriously a must-see. Initially, I thought this would be a musical, but it is definitely not. This performance group (6 people) is absolutely AMAZING at improv! They use lines that are current to the times and are quick with being witty. It's a show that interacts with the audience, and you can see it a dozen times and still be surprised with the ending. Pay attention with your eyes and ears! Price was not bad, and it's located at the spacious Kennedy Center, which has shuttle service to and from Foggy Bottom. Can't say much more without spoiling the show - highly recommend it!! read more

Shear Madness - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A great theatrical experience. Intimate setting. And an interesting story. Recommend it.

Murder, mystery, and comedy. What more can you ask for? Love the interactive nature of the show. The cast and crew are fantastic. They really leave you guessing until the last minute. The set is great as well. They do not leave bored for even a minute. I had the opportunity to meet some of the cast after the show and they were so friendly! This show is at the Theater lab at the Kennedy center which is more casual than the Opera house downstairs so feel free to dress comfortably. The staff at the Kennedy center were very accommodating and friendly as well. You can't bring any hot drinks into the show so my thoughts about bringing in a Starbucks went out the window. You can only bring in drinks in a souvenir cup that you buy at the center for $3. Also, no photography for you Snapchatters and Instagrammers. read more

Shear Madness - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had a great time at the show! I have member been to the Theatre Lab at the Kennedy Center and enjoyed the seating and the stage perspective. The seating surrounds the stage on three sides and made me feel a part of the show. This is perfect for night out with a group! The set was fun to look at and before the show started and the actors/actresses did a wonderful job of bringing in the audience. Part way through the show, the audience is invited to join in on the fun through watching our for clues and helping solve the crime! I've never been to a play like this and really enjoyed knowing that it changes every time! I can't wait to come back! read more

Shear Madness - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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It was light, happy fun! The actors in this improv murder mystery are the real deal! They are also great about interacting with the audience, even during intermission!!! Love the venue of course. The flow is perfect. The jokes are sometimes a little too easy, but they have to be to appeal to all types of audience members. Four stars only because the shows can fill up with high schoolers on field trips. Then the cast has to somewhat cater to them (they are the majority after all). Over all, I'd say take the time to see this show if you have someone in town and want to show them the Kennedy Center or need a good laugh. Definitely look for discounted tickets on Goldstar and Groupon as well! I would go again if I found a good Groupon deal read more

Loved it! Truly enjoyed it and definitely recommend to anyone who is into interactive shows. Witty and entertaining. Must watch :)

This is very much an all-ages show. Keep in mind where you are and what you're paying before you critique the show as not being the revival of Miss Saigon. Several things to make note of: *Access to the Kennedy Center is ridiculously easy as long as you're a metro commuter. Free shuttle from Foggy Bottom (surrounded by easy food options) to the Center and back. If the weather is nice, you don't even need to do that. *The seating area in the theater is small, so it's a relatively intimate show. From other reviews and commentary from my co-workers, I'd expected this to be a comedic show based on simple gags, so I wasn't looking for Louis C.K. and the cast of Kids in the Hall. I was looking for a simple, good time, and there it was...right under the hot towels. *The evening view around the terrace is beautiful, especially the lights of Georgetown with the mist from the humidity. There aren't a lot of spots in DC to see a pretty skyline for free, but this is definitely one of them. *Counting the daily 6pm free show (violinist w. piano accompaniment on our visit) it's sort of a double feature. Also worth the price of admission. *The show itself was engaging and entertaining, and, regardless of the presence of younger kids (way past their bedtimes), it worked. At the very least, consider it a great way to engage a younger audience to build an interest in live stage entertainment. Tell most kids that they're going to the theater and seeing live people instead of Iron Man, and they'll look at you like you pulled out a rotary phone. Performing arts are important, and, without downplaying the talents of the cast, you have to have a foundation to create a bonafide interest in something bigger. Suck it up and realize that this is probably a better investment in the overall future of the industry than most people would be able to come up with. *It isn't a true improv, but there are spots where they make quick changes and you can read it in the cast reactions, from a random spot with a kiss, to an accidental toss of a hair dryer to the face. It works, and that's all you need to ask for. *High props to the cast for staying engaged and not mailing in a performance despite putting on the same show 8 times per week for months on end. I hate eating the same thing for breakfast twice in a row and I can't stand repeating myself when speaking to people. I have no idea how to approach what they do. Great show, well worth the price of admission, there's no rule against outside snacks (that we saw) and the Kennedy Center is beautiful. Add this to your DC To-Do List. read more

Overall I had a good time at the show. Though I wouldn't pay full price (~$48 pp) for it. The show had really great dialogues and clever one-liners, however some were fairly far fetched and cheesy. But what do you expect out of a show titled "Shear Madness?" The cast was a good bunch overall, especially the more feminine guy in the show. Crowd participation was a great idea, though the "pick your own adventure" ending was both amusing and disappointing at the same time. Amusing because it's great that they can have different endings, but disappointing because you really don't have a way to know the other endings (and it's no guarantee there's a different ending if you go on a different night). Try to get some cheaper tickets (AAA, 50% off sale) if you can, and it's much above watching a movie, and a few steps below a Broadway musical. read more

This is a fantastic show for teenagers and adults! Like other reviewers, I only wish that we could have seen the alternate endings, but that would have spoiled future shows. The cast was genius, and the jokes and interactions between characters are hilarious and pertain to recent news. If you are easily offended, this show is NOT for you. There are some political jokes and many sex references. This is not for children. I would recommend ages 13 and under should not attend. Hilarious, screwball humor! I loved it. read more

Sorry, but I don't think the show was by any means stellar. It had its comedic moments but I was surprised that most of the humor was related to everyday happenings of the DC area, which to me just weren't all that amusing. I will say the Kennedy Center is an amazing place though and would definitely go back for other performances, just not to this specific show. read more

Super funnyyyyyyyy. Clever! Go watch it!!!!! Very well played out! Clever wording! Actors quick on their feet! Captivating! Intriguing! Genius play! Spicy acting! Luminous! Electric! Entertaining as heck! Worth the time and money! Go with a group of friends great night out in the capital!!!! read more

A pretty entertaining way to spend an afternoon, for sure. It's mostly broad humor with a fairly corny setup, but they throw in some topical stuff, i.e. jokes about the Redskins name controversy, etc. The cast has great charisma, and that makes all the difference. The Kennedy Center is a fun place to visit, so any chance you get to make the trip, take it, and Shear Madness is not a bad excuse to come out. Spoiler alert: they change up the ending based on the fan vote of who the killer is, so vote mindfully! read more

NO SPOILER -- SAFE TO READ -- NO SPOILER I need to count the times I've seen this performance, but it's safe to say that it's closing in on 20 times in the past 11 years. When family or friends visit the District I take them to this performance. Be sure to show up early and walk around the Kennedy Center and outside on the terrace (where the Shear Madness theater is located). Night performances are a treat because you see the city lights at night; during the day is equally as pleasing. I won't tell you about the show, you can visit the Kennedy Center's website for that. But it's good, it's funny and it's worth your trip. Some content is mature in nature; you can be the judge if it would be appropriate for your child/ren. LOGISTICS: there is a free shuttle from Foggy Bottom metro station (blue/orange line) if you don't feel like/would get lost walking to the KC. You'll find the shuttle, red in color with the KC logo on the side, outside of the metro station. If it's not there, just wait, one will come soon. read more

Great murder mystery where they interact with the audience. Lots of great adult/current event humor that keeps the act fresh. Same basic premise, but you know they ad lib a few things here and there. What's the ending? Think of it as choose your own adventure. After they set the basic premise, they ask the audience to put together the clues to figure who is the murderer.....SO PAY ATTENTION! Just a small hint: Democracy at work. read more

Hysterical! Make sure you call and get the AAA discount if you are a member you save 25%. Was about $40 a ticket and about 2 hours with a intermission. Whatever you guess is how they play it so no experience is repeated. Add in up to the date pop culture references and improv and this show never gets old. A little confusing to navigate the gigantic behemoth that is the Kennedy's center but we were directed how to get there. MAKE SURE TO PICK UP YOUR TICKETS 30 MIN BEFORE! This way you have time to get to the theatre and about 10 min before they come out and start doing some "barbershop business" to 80s music. Well done, great AAA discount, and very fun! Don't miss it! read more

Very funny, lots of new material, great interaction with the audience, and tons of energy. This is not your typical murder mystery show, but we really enjoyed this one for the lightheartedness. We got the 1/2 off special for attending on a slow weekend, so ask about the discounted pricing for students, etc. read more

This was hilarious. We took our 9 year old and she loved it. She really got involved. Great improv. Definitely recommend.

We attended this as part of a school trip to DC. We were told that it is appropriate for middle school students. I did not think that it was appropriate for 12/13 year olds. While some of it was fine, there were far too many adult references. This was not a G rated show - it was more like a PG-13 show - just on adult language alone. We were disappointed that it was sold as a family show. read more

Oof, OK. First things first. The cast was great. I hate interactive shows, but the cast was genial and performed pretty well given the material. Hopefully they go on to bigger and better things. Now to the show... Here is the basic setup. There are two types of jokes in the show : broad humor (i.e. someone making fun of big breasts or joking about someone being in the closet), and "topical" humor in the Mad-Libs style where the setup is always : "Wow this is [adjective] than [topical noun]!" Here are a few zingers (or what other reviewers are calling "improv"): "This towel is hotter than McDonalds coffee!" - hilarious "He ran out of here like a couple llamas!" - gut buster "I heard she used to sleep with Leonard Nemoy!" - oof "He hasn't been the same since he saw Neil Patrick in his skivvies!" - clever It was clear the script was written to stay up with the times by allowing the cast to reference current events. But's that all they are...references! They're not even jokes! There is also some audience interaction, but it's clear that all the jokes they were doing when interacting with the audience were re-hashed things they use every night to poke fun at someone. Example : "Where did I get these scissors you ask? The same place you got that blouse...K-Mart!" (the audience member was wearing jeans and a shirt). As for the mystery part of the show...each character has plausible evidence against them. There is no way to actually "solve" the mystery correctly because they just end the show with whichever character the audience votes did it. This means you can go multiple times (not dozens like some other reviewers say), and have the ending be different IF the audience votes different. This allows some variability, but it also negates the entire mystery since it doesn't matter AT ALL if you pay attention to the "clues". If you think the quotes above are funny, by all means go see Shear Madness. But if you're looking for different comedy, or a real mystery experience, stay far away. read more

My cousin took me here during my visit, I did not know what to expect. I loved everything about Shear Madness, it was hilarious, beautifully decorated. I could not stop laughing. I could tell how passionate the actors are about being about of this show. read more

This show was so funny and is a great way to spend an evening in DC. The actors were all great and there was just the right amount of audience participation as well. It is about a two hour show, with a short break in between. The show is at the Kennedy Center, which has a great outdoor space with views of the sunset and the city- fun to check out during the intermission! I didn't see too many young kids in the audience and the show seems to be targeted more for adults or teenagers, which is something to keep in mind if you have kids. The jokes and banter between the actors was hilarious and kept us laughing for the entire duration. Also, the outcome of the show changes every night, which keeps things interesting. read more

I had no idea what kind of play going into it so I'm glad it wasn't just a hair salon comedy. Surprised at the audience participation, almost couldn't believe it but for fans of "Serial" this is where you can use those detective skills! The comedy at times was cheesy/predictable but they also adopted more current event/DC jokes to relate to the audience, which was a very nice touch. During the intermission, the actors interacted with the audience and stayed in character. One of them even came to the lobby to take questions for the investigation. A lot of families attended, but I wouldn't bring anyone easily offended by homosexual jokes... read more

Affordable weekend fun. I went with my sister and niece. They seemed to love the "audience participation" portion. Overall, Shear Madness had some pretty funny moments. read more

This was an excellent nights entertainment with good laughs and nice audience participation. The cafeteria offered ok snack food. The seating was excellent regardless where you ended up in this cozy venue. read more

First murder mystery that I ever attended. Ok..first I just want to caveat my review by saying..I was late:-( Do not be late for this show as you will be left out of everything else that follows. By far the shop owner was the highlight of the entire show. He seemed to be the only one with updated material. The rest of the case..was yawn..boring. Overall it was just ok. I loved the concept and the interaction but the punchlines were extremely corny (except for the shopowner..I think he could have been a one man show and I would pay to go see him). I wouldn't recommend that anyone go see this show for the price read more

Excellent! Must see in DC to fill an evening. Improve, cute, quick humor - my teens ate it up.

We were hoping to get to the Kennedy Center during my most recent visit to DC and saw that Sheer Madness has been running for some time and gets pretty good reviews. What a great way to spend an evening! We were really pleasantly surprised by this interactive show laughs for all ages (literally people laughing from teens to over 70s in the small crowd on our night) . really engaging actors and very topical humour ("Hello, it's me"). I would definitely recommend this to anyone spending some time in DC looking for a night out during the week! read more

We read the mixed reviews, however my boyfriend and I were laughing the entire time. It was a cheap date and a great excuse to visit the Kennedy center. read more

This plays at the Kennedy Center which visiting there alone is worth the price of the tickets. Get there early like we did & spend some time walking around. The show itself was just OK, mildly entertaining but nothing to write home about. read more

Hope to go again next year! Fun, current jokes and great fun for a nice evening with friends and family.

I would have to say that this play is OK at most. It's not worth the $45 that we paid and I think that the concept could have been updated. If I would have paid less, I would review higher read more