‘Madly’ in love

‘Shear Madness,’ an audience-participation whodunnit playing now at the Kennedy Center, was the scene of a same-sex marriage proposal on Christmas.

Hughesville, Md., residents Jimmy Evans, fourth from left in the back row, and Brandon Hayes, seated, used the occasion to solidify their relationship.

The two have been dating since March and had talked of tying the knot. Hayes said he didn’t want a cliched proposal, so Evans got the idea to work his proposal into ‘Shear Madness.’ Evans had seen the show several times before and knew its non-existent fourth wall might give him a chance to propose in an unexpected way.

He contacted the Kennedy Center and found the show’s personnel excited about the notion. The actors worked the proposal into the second act and Hayes accepted.

The two are seen here with the cast. From left are actors Aaron Shields, Tierman Medorno, Bolton Marsh, Evans, Danny Devlin, Taryn Evans (Evans’ daughter), Rick Hammerly, Brigid Cleary, Hayes and Chelsea Evans (another daughter of Evans’). Evans says he was a nervous wreck as the moment approached. It brought tears and well wishes from many in the audience. Evans and Hayes met on match.com. — Photo by Joey DiGuglielmo.