Aug 30. 2023

A well-written play (funny and dramatic) about three very different men who work together in a situation that’s taken them away from home and forced them into a close physical environment sounds pretty compelling.  So, imagine if the three men in question were famous actors, and they were working on one of the most iconic movies of all time. 

Welcome to The Shark is Broken.

There have been plenty of “behind-the-scenes” stories about the difficulties encountered while making Jaws, but nothing about the off-camera relationship between the film’s stars.  Robert Shaw (Ian Shaw), Roy Scheider (Colin Donnell) and Richard Dreyfuss (Alex Brightman) were together in Martha’s Vineyard for five months because “Bruce” – the mechanical shark – was constantly broken.  Bruce had been tested in fresh water and worked perfectly; however, the salt water clogged the mechanism, resulting in endless delays.

Like a fine restaurant that requires hours of food prep, most people are unaware of the mundanities involved in filmmaking and – even if you’re a star – the monotony that ensues before the camera rolls.

The three stars found themselves continually stuck on the set (the fishing boat Orca) with little to do but drink, argue and play cards.  Robert Shaw was also a successful author, and kept a diary of his Jaws experience, which his son Ian (star and co-author with Joseph Nixon) put to good use in writing the play. 

The banter between the three actors is fast and furious and for the most part -- there are few “predictive” jokes about the future -- very witty.  The play offers plenty of laughs, drama as well as spontaneous applause for Alex Brightman, whose portrayal of Richard Dreyfuss is truly remarkable.  Ian Shaw (playing his father Robert), Colin Donnell (Roy Scheider) are also excellent, as all three actors create real, believable characters rather than presenting simple imitations.

I don’t know if someone who hasn’t seen Jaws will fully understand this show, but I’ve yet to meet anyone unfamiliar with the film.  In a time when most Broadway shows are enormous musical extravaganzas, I applaud the producers of The Shark is Broken for mounting a “small” (three characters, one act) intimate play. 

At this moment in time, a funny 90-minute one act play is just what Broadway needs.