The Shark Is Broken is open on Broadway and everyone is having a wonderful time
You can catch The Shark Is Broken from 25th July 2023 at the Golden Theater, New York, NYC.
I had about as much patience as the three lead actors in JAWS during filming after I learned that Ian Shaw had written a play about the making of the movie. But The Shark Is Broken has made its way to Broadway, and I got to see it the first week.
Taking a look at the Orca's faithful recreation on the stage upon entering the Golden Theater was a thrill in and of itself. That set might have been sturdier than the actual boat.
The three actors -- Colin Donnell, Alex Brightman and Shaw -- did a tremendous job playing the men we know and love so well. Donnell had probably the toughest job as straight man Scheider, but he was the glue that held everything together. Brightman took it on the chin as Dreyfuss a lot, but had all the energy and quirkiness needed for the role. And Shaw, well, we all know how much he takes after his father. His creativity in co-writing the show as well as depicting Robert doesn't just remind us of him, it is the ultimate tribute.
Those of us who hunt for every morsel of information on the making of the movie like the trio tracking the shark in the film know a fair amount of the play's details, but there's nothing quite like experiencing it through the actors' eyes and words. From stem to stern, from the drink menu to the recreation of the ultimate movie monologue -- the USS Indianapolis -- the adventure is to be savored and hopefully experienced again and again.
Paige as Richard Dreyfuss in the JAWS WeMake
I stayed at the stage doors after it ended to tell the actors how much I loved it. I didn't get the chance to joke with Brightman that we both played Dreyfuss (me a couple times in the JAWS WeMake, him fantastically in this play) because he has what he described as "pandemic paranoia," but on his way out, he did tell everyone assembled how much he appreciated us.
I asked Donnell if he was a fan of the film and he said, "Sure, isn't everyone?" And then meeting Shaw, who was just as gracious as could be, was the highlight. I thanked him for supporting The Daily Jaws and the WeMake, and he thanked all of us in return, saying our love for the movie and continued support made the play possible in the first place.
It just kind of makes you want to run back out to "Crush it like Quint" with a Narragansett Beer (or my choice, luxuriate in a tasty "Sex on the Beach") and watch it all over again, just like we do with our favorite film.
Words by Paige Schector - you can follow Paige here
If you love Paige’s JAWS shirt, check out some more of her collection here