Well, probably never. But this headline is not a bad start to the latest truly original macabre comedy now on view at Theatre West, one of LA’s most prolific and long running membership companies. Pointy Scissors takes us back to the 1960s and the days of Mom and Pop local barber shops … but in this case, run by sister Betty (Angela Brunning) with her brother, Arnie (Steve Young) doing the barbering. What could possibly go wrong?
Unfortunately, Arnie, who seems to be slightly autistic, makes a grave mistake soon after scoring a brand-new pair of barber’s shears; he slips and wedges them into a customer’s ear. That customer is none other than the notorious gangster, Carlos (played by Anibal Sylveyra), and the fact that he collapses doesn’t bode well. To complicate manners, Arnie and Betty’s spoiled sister, Deborah ( Danielle Weeks) keeps insisting on stealing the limelight. As one catastrophe builds on another, everyone gathers around Arnie to try to fix the problem. Betty’s would-be boyfriend Sammy (Richy Storrs) jumps into the fray, only to be confronted by Carlos’ hippy girl-friend, Molly (Monika Vidakovic).
Both playwright and director Clara Rodriguez, who sets the mayhem in motion, deftly keeps it moving while deepening the personas and relationships among all the characters. It is a funny, engrossing 90-some minutes. Group Rep’s supporting designer, Ernest McDaniel, pulls it all together, from set design to lighting and sound effects, with the help of Group Reps’ members. My one quibble (and a tiny one) is that the uncredited costuming for both Carlos and Molly seem dressed from the late 60s, while everyone else is situated solidly in the early part of the decade. Of course, I would only know that because I lived through it!
Pointy Scissors continues at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles, 90068, running Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm through December 7th, 2025. Tickets, $35 in advance; $40 at the door. For information, call (323) 76851-4839, with online ticketing: https://theatrewest.org
