Shear Madness
Shear Madness
4.5
About
Discover for youself why over 9 million people around the world have seen Shear Madness, the uproarious whodunit where the audience gets to solve the crime. A mixture of improvisation and up-to-the-minute humor, the play is delightfully different every time you see it.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
The largest area of the city, Downtown is rich with historical and iconic sites in Boston. Stroll through one of Boston’s most famous green spaces, the Boston Public Gardens, check out and make way for duckling statues, picnic under a beautiful tree overlooking the pond, and walk over the iconic footbridge where, during summer time, you will catch a swan boat toting children and eager tourists through the pond. Have your camera ready to capture its peaceful beauty in the middle of a bustling city. Continue on through the Gardens and take in some open green space at the Boston Common, where you can spend time throwing a frisbee, sitting on a park bench, or, in the winter time, skating on the frog pond. Head north from the end of the Common to see the golden dome of the State House, and travel through government center to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, both a historic and popular destination worth a quick visit for a first time to Boston. Head to Long Wharf to visit the Aquarium, or catch a boat to Charlestown or even Cape Cod.
How to get there
- Tufts Medical Center • 4 min walk
- Boylston • 4 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
268 reviews
Excellent
188
Very good
62
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
2
GraceS5353
Boston, MA37 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
I went to see Shear Madness with my husband and 16 year old daughter. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. The actors were fantastic, and even seemed to surprised each other with how hilarous the ad libbing was. It’s a small theater, but it makes the stage very easy to see. The audience interaction was fun, and it ranged from jokes about audience members to audience members making fun of characters (nothing with malicious intent). Although it is targeted to adult audiences, my daughter was laughing a lot and said she enjoyed the show. There were kids as young as about 12 in our showing; kids younger than 12 probably wouldn’t understand/have fun. The only shame was how empty our showing was. The actors deserved a full theater. Overall, I recommend it if you have spare time in Boston!
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
medicalmarinara
Boston, MA124 contributions
Feb 2020
Coming here was a good time. The theater is pretty small and is tiered with some comedy club style tables. The actors are great and it was fun to see everything play out, especially with some (non-required) audience participation. I was scared of getting called on, but that was not the case. Would come back once more, but probably not more than that.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jill o
Windsor Locks, CT4 contributions
Feb 2020
This was a very, very funny play. The actors were excellent. The set was perfect. At first I thought our seats were terrible (in the back corner near the bathrooms) but they turned out to be just fine. We were seated at a tiny table for four which was perfect because we were a party of four. However, if we had been a party of two, we would have been seated with two strangers which could be a little dicey since it was pretty tight quarters. There is a bar upstairs so if you get there early you can hang out there. There is also a bar downstairs where the play is performed but it closes during the performance and reopens at intermission. Very fresh play even though it has been running for years. Highly recommend.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lnelson121
1 contribution
Dec 2019
I had seen Sheer Madness AGES ago (think over two decades previously) with my mother. As she was in town again, we thought wouldn't it be a hoot to see it again after all these years.
Naturally we were wondering if the production stayed updated. We knew that in earlier days the actors were improvising as well as following the main script.
The performance was fanatic. The basic script was the same from 20 years ago, but it has stuck with the times. To the point that some of the jokes were based on events that had happened in the last couple of days before we went to the shoe. Just great.
I also saw years ago the DC-Sheer Madness, but Boston will always be my number one.
Naturally we were wondering if the production stayed updated. We knew that in earlier days the actors were improvising as well as following the main script.
The performance was fanatic. The basic script was the same from 20 years ago, but it has stuck with the times. To the point that some of the jokes were based on events that had happened in the last couple of days before we went to the shoe. Just great.
I also saw years ago the DC-Sheer Madness, but Boston will always be my number one.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ShearMadness
Thanks for coming back to the scene of the crime and helping solve whodunit once again. Hope to see you again- hopefully sooner this time :-)
Written 17 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alicia F
Philadelphia, PA4 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Great show. Very funny. Also very inappropriate, but I went with my 18 yo so it was fine. Younger children won’t get many of the jokes. The young children who attended with other parents appeared to have great time.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ShearMadness
Thanks for playing armchair detective with us!
Written 17 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cotton3260
Pembroke, MA86 contributions
Dec 2019
This was the seventh trip we made to Shear Madness and the experience never gets old. The banter is fresh, the discourse is timely and the actors were hilarious. Some of my group of eight, there to celebrate New year's Eve, has never experience this show and were overcome with laughter. Patrick Shea continues to surprise audiences with his improvisational camp.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MommaDev1
Boston, MA80 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
I can’t believe I hadn’t seen this show sooner! It was a lot of fun! I got our tickets on Bostix and when we got there they upgraded our seats! I was glad they did because our Bostix tickets (38.50) were in the corner! Although there doesn’t look like there is a bad seat! Loved the audience participation. Amazed at the actors talent...a fun night out!
Written 30 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks for playing Shearlock with us!
Written 6 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nikii
16 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Super funny! Definitely visit with the cast during intermission Bc you don’t get to see them after the show....I regret not interacting with them more...super cool and fun!
Written 15 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks for coming to help solve whodunit with us!
Written 6 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jenny P
5 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
The show was great, loved the energy and jokes; the actors had a great sense of humor and were very engaging!
Written 3 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks for being an armchair detective
Written 6 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stuart W
6 contributions
What a treat it was to attend this show. Murder mystery, comedy, farce with great acting and the set was brilliant. A must see show if you are in Boston!
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ShearMadness
Thanks for playing Shearlock with us!
Written 8 November 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kmkarsant
San Francisco, CA4 contributions
Is this really closed? Or closed temporarily because of covid?
Is there any performances during the week of June 9-15? How much?
ShearMadness
Albany3 contributions
Yes we do have shows the week of June 15- Tickets are $58 and can be bought online.
Steve T
Jersey Shore, NJ
Is the show appropriate for a 9-year old? i.e. will he "get" the humor, or will it likely be above him?
ATypicalPalate
Salem, NH43 contributions
There is a lot of innuendo and many jokes are modified to latest trends. ie there was a "cash me outside" joke made.
Sari W
San Rafael de Escazu, Costa Rica1 contribution
How early do we need to arrive to get good seats
ShearMadness
Albany3 contributions
Hello- All seats are assigned so you can arrive at any point up to 5 minutes before the show begins. Thanks
Joandempsey2014
Cincinnati, Ohio
I'd like a list of times and prices
ShearMadness
Albany3 contributions
Hello
Are you looking for Boston, DC or NYC?
In general times are Tue-Fri at 8pm Sat at 6pm and 9pm and Sun 3pm and 7pm for Boston and DC.
For NYC it is Tue-Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm and 8pm and Sun 3pm.
melindaB26
Hanover, MA35 contributions
Going to the Saturday 6pm show with two teens boys. Where would be the best place to eat- decently priced American food within walking distance. What time should we arrive to dinner to be on time for the show?
Kim65NJ
Burlington, NJ101 contributions
We ate at the Rock Bottom Brewery (you can google their menu). Food was very good, we were in and out pretty quickly. Not a far walk to the theater. Show was very good! Definitely recommend.
dswaldman
Boston, MA27 contributions
dip you think a 13 year old boy would enjoy show?
ShearMadness
Albany3 contributions
Yes! we have many middle school and high school groups who attend the show every year and love every minute. Our guideline is that there isn't anything in our show that isn't on primetime network television. Hope this helps.
rlb716
New York7 contributions
Hi, we will be visiting st Maarten for the 1st time and rented a timeshare at "the villas at Simpson bay resort". We welcome any suggestions for 1st timers to where we should eat and what we should see on the island? Excursions? Do you suggest renting a car? Thanks
ShearMadness
Albany3 contributions
Hello
Thanks for writing. We are actually a theatre production in Boston so we don't have any information on what to do in St. Maarten (although St. Maarten does sound wonderful!). Thanks
Shear Madness (Boston) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Shear Madness
- Hotels near Shear Madness:
- (0.03 km) Stuart Hotel
- (0.05 km) Reggie's Place
- (0.16 km) Moxy Boston Downtown
- (0.11 km) W Boston
- (0.07 km) Revere Hotel Boston Common
- Restaurants near Shear Madness:
- (0.03 km) Rebel's Guild
- (0.07 km) Ostra
- (0.15 km) Maggiano's Little Italy
- (0.13 km) Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
- (0.15 km) Panera Bread