The Play's the Thing!

Last week, I treated an out of town guest to a performance of the play, Shear Madness, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. It is the longest running non-musical play in American theater, winning numerous awards including the Mystery Writers of America Raven Award. I debated about seeing this play since my friend doesn’t enjoy reading books and probably has never read a mystery. (Truly horrifying!) But I took a chance that she would enjoy a comedy-whodunit that lets the audience interact with the actors to solve a murder.

The stage set was a contemporary unisex hair salon decorated in neon pink and blue. In the beginning the music was peppy and loud, foreshadowing the frenetic pace of the performance that followed. Then six characters--two hair stylists and four clients in need of their services—entered the salon at various times. Being a comedy, there were several scenes of distracted stylists cutting hair and shaving (nicking) a client’s cheek. At one point I was splattered with water since we were sitting in the front row near the salon sink.

Toward the end of the first half, a female concert pianist living over the salon was found stabbed to death with hair scissors. We never saw the victim but through conversation snippets learned how her life intertwined with people in the hair salon--who all had strong motives for killing the woman. So, whodunit?

At this point, the detective/actor questioned each suspect then asked the audience to yell out inconsistencies in their stories. I was very surprised when my friend pointed out a number of misstatements by the suspects as well as overlooked clues. During intermission, one couple asked if we were actors planted in the audience since my friend was just like “Nancy Drew.” (Perhaps playing an amateur detective will inspire her to actually read a mystery. I can only hope.)

During the second half, the detective asked the suspects to reconstruct their actions leading up to the crime. Since the first half was a series of chaotic scenes, I admit that it was difficult for me to remember in what order events occurred. Not so with my friend. She nailed what each person did and when. Not to be outdone, I pointed out that the detective missed a pair of discarded gloves with red (perhaps blood) on the fingertips. In the end, the murderer was caught and it was nicely wrapped up with a twist.

 

After the play finished, I mulled…after thirty years, why does this play continue to be popular in the U.S. and cities around the world? Clearly, my non-reading, non-mystery loving friend enjoyed watching and actively participating. I think part of the winning formula is the somewhat improvised dialogue and fluid storyline ensuring no performances are exactly alike. Yet, it’s more than that. Maybe it's successful because people truly enjoy a challenge? Or, perhaps it’s because they become an integral part of a process to bring about a satisfying ending?  I don’t know the answer, but I’d like to know their secret and use it in my writing.

What do you think is the best way to keep a reading audience engaged? Have you attended a murder mystery party or play?