a promo pic of Shelley, 1989
Shelley appeared in the long-running play Tamara from late-1989 to 1990. "I love theater. I thought it would be fun, and it is," Shelley said of her experience. Tamara is a play by John Krizanc, about the painter Tamara de Lempicka and her historical meeting with Gabriele D'Annunzio at his villa at Gardone Riviera. The play was staged at the Il Vittoriale in Los Angeles. It was unique because it allowed the audience to participate in the play itself. Audience members could follow any cast member as the play was going on. Shelley stepped into the role of Luisa Baccara, a character "who starts out crazy and gets crazier" according to her. "Basically, I get to chew the rug for two hours," she added.
a writeup about Shelley doing the play Tamara, 1989