Southeastern Summer Theatre 
Institute (SSTI) is proud to present in its tenth season America’s longest running play, Shear Madness, followed by the monster new musical comedyYoung Frankenstein.
With a professional cast direct from NYC, the murder-mystery comedy Shear Madness features hysterical characters working in a local, not-so-typical, hair salon. SSTIâs Shear Madness opens at Main Street Theater on July 18 at 8:00p.m. SSTI welcomes Director Blake White, locally known as the founding artistic and executive director of Lean
Ensemble Theater, as the director of this production.
It’s a typical day in a not-so-typical Hilton Head Island hair salon, when suddenly the old lady upstairs is mysteriously murdered, and everyone is dying to know WHODUNIT! The audience combs through clues, questioning each suspect to crack the case. The best part? The show is different every time you see it!
“I knew I wanted to bring this show to Hilton Head after seeing the play, but unlike most shows, rights are highly controlled and there is a rigorous process which included sending our director to work with the DC Shear Madness company at the Kennedy Center,” explained producer Benjamin Wolfe. Wolfe tapped Blake White to direct this New York cast of six actors, preparing them for whatever comes their way during each performance.
“I spent many days learning the nuances of how each performance of the play may unfold which truly depends on the audience interaction,” said White. “One of the interesting facets of this show is that it is always set locally, so we are definitely on Hilton Head Island. Because the participation of the audience changes the direction of the show each performance, the actors need to react to whatever situation arises. It’s a delightful two hours where we invite the audience to laugh and play with us.”
Shear Madness runs now through August 6. Showtimes Tuesday through Saturday are 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees are 2:00 p.m. at the Main Street Theatre on Hilton Head Island.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.HHISummerMusicals.com or by calling (866)-749-2228. Adults $40, Students $20.
Comedic genius Mel Brooks has adapted his legendarily funny film Young Frankenstein into a brilliant on-stage creation. SSTI’s production opens at the Seahawk Cultural Center on the campus of Hilton
Head High School on July 28 at 7:30 p.m. Broadway veteran Jerry Jay Cranford is making his SSTI directorial debut.
Young Frankenstein has all of the panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair. The show will leave audiences singing memorable tunes such as, “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend,” and of course “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”
With a staff of theatre professionals assembled from across the country, SSTI is dedicated to technical and performance excellence, even utilizing the Broadway National Touring set for this production. SSTI’s Young Frankenstein features performers and technicians carefully selected for their talent and skill from 25 states and 4 countries.
“I can’t think of a better way to close out our summer season than with this hysterical Mel Brooks musical comedy,” said SSTI founder and program director, Ben Wolfe. “All of your favorite moments from the hit film are there, but now Brooks has added in brand new songs and huge dance numbers, including the unforgettable dance number “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”
Young Frankenstein” runs July 28 – 30 and August 4 – 6. Show times on Fridays and Saturdays are 7:30p.m. and Sundays at 2:00p.m. at the Seahawk Cultural Center on Hilton Head Island. Tickets can be purchased online at www.HHISummerMusicals.com or by calling (866)-749-2228. Adults $25, Students $15.
About SSTI
Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute is a destination musical theatre training program for elite and exceptional young performers from across the globe. The auditioned-students participate in an intensive three-week rehearsal process followed by the production of a full-scale musical. The students are led by a professional faculty and staff from the stages of Broadway and beyond. Founded by Program Director, Benjamin Wolfe, SSTI was named one of the top five summer theatre programs in the nation by Educational Theatre magazine. SSTI is located at the Seahawk Cultural Center on Hilton Head High Schoolâs
campus. The address is 70 Wilborn Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. For more information about SSTI see www.SummerTheatreInstitute.com
