a pic Shelley from a newspaper ad
for the play Born Yesterday, 1982
Shelley honed her acting skills on stage in the early 1980s. In 1981, Shelley joined the cast of the Jack Heifner three-character play Vanities. Later, she joined the cast of Close Ties which was directed by Arvin Brown (aired on cable TV in March 6, 1983). Both were taped for HBO and, in both, she received glowing reviews. In September of 1982, she starred as Billie Dawn in the Pennsylvania Stage Co.'s production of Born Yesterday. The play ran from September 29 to October 24 of that year and was presented at the J.I. Rodale Theater in Allentown.
Shelley in a newspaper ad
for the play Born Yesterday, 1982
"She's a woman who starts out as one thing and ends up as something else," Shelley said of her character, "That's always a challenge." She added, "I'd heard of the theater's (PSC) reputation among regional theaters, and, like most actors, I welcome the chance to stretch (artistically). This is not a career change for me: I've always been an actor. However, this is a role which will help me grow - in a congenial environment."
Of Shelley's portrayal of Billie Dawn, Sylvia Lawler (writer for The Morning Call) said, "That she acquitted herself endearingly enough in Born Yesterday came as something of a surprise to a lot of people." She added that Shelley's performance had "a touching and engaging innocence." Shelley's foray into stage had resulted in critical acclaim.
