Shelley appeared in the long-running play Tamara from late-1989 to 1990. 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 went on. Shelley told Beverly Hills [213] in 1990, "I've always done a lot of theater, but with this play, there's no fourth wall as we know it." She stepped into the role of Luisa Baccara. "I was in New York when they offered the play to me," Shelley added. She describes her character as someone "who starts out crazy and gets crazier." She said, "Basically, I get to chew the rug for two hours." (For more, check out: Cover Girl 1990 and "No Fourth Wall" Play)
