The Steven Spielberg multi-verse continues to expand.
After the critical acclaim of the Academy Award-nominated film “The Fablemans,” a new story emerges featuring the renowned director. But, it’s not about him. He’s not even on stage for the show.
“The Shark is Broken” is a new play on Broadway following the filming of “Jaws.” The story is set on a small boat where the film’s lead actors Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider are eagerly waiting for their other costar—the mechanical shark Bruce, to function. While waiting, the men pass time by drinking, arguing, placing bets, and wondering if the chaos on set will lead to a cinematic masterpiece?
Written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixox, “The Shark is Broken” stars Alex Brightman as Richard Dreyfuss, Colin Donnell as Roy Scheider, and Ian Shaw as his father Robert. This additionally marks the younger Shaw’s Broadway debut.
“The Shark is Broken” is an absolute comedic storm. Moments of laughter from the audience took up nearly every scene—powered mostly by Brightman. His portrayal of Dreyfuss is witty and charismatic to the point it nails the essence of a young Hollywood hotshot. Brightman’s acting chops are arguably some of the strongest on Broadway. His stint as “Beetlejuice” in the self-titled musical remains one of the most admired performances in recent times. But Brightman’s not the only actor that shines on stage.
Shaw is a mirror image of his father—brass, blunt, and making use of his father’s theater chops to be as overly dramatic as possible. Donnell is sharp and grabs attention even when he’s not speaking. All three men prove that the simplest acting choices can be the formula to an overall incredible performance by a cast. And the mechanic shark, even though we never see it, was brilliant too.
The writing feels personal. Shaw, thinking about his father’s perspective, creates a script that is both honest and harrowing, especially when it came to dialogue pertaining to the men’s personal lives. Of course, at the base of the production is a comedy, but the little pockets of vulnerability from all three men showed a different side to the play that one couldn’t have imagined.
Credit: Matthew Murphy
A major aspect of the production is the rocky relationship between Dreyfuss and Shaw. Shaw feels Dreyfuss doesn’t respect the arts while Dreyfuss believes Shaw to be uptight. It’s an occurrence often seen in the dynamic of younger and older colleges. Schneider tries to be the peacemaker on set, but things often go awry. Shaw’s alcoholism leads to numerous fights between the men, especially with Dreyfuss. At times, Dreyfuss even hides bottles from Shaw which upsets him. In the end, however, they come to an understanding that Shaw’s addiction can’t be stopped; it’s a brutal and upsetting discovery, but it surprisingly aids in the bonding of all three men. They soon realize they are all suffering from similar commonalities. From career roadblocks to family trauma, the men soon find themselves connected in ways they never expected. It’s a revelation that takes the story’s plot to a multidimensional level.
While on the surface, “The Shark is Broken” appears to be a comedic story that makes light of the hardships on the “Jaws” set, it’s more than that. It’s a celebration of the moments that those who love cinema don’t see and a love letter to family.
In the play, Robert Shaw admits he hopes to live longer than his father did. At the age of 41, Shaw’s father Thomas took his own life. Robert Shaw died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 51 in 1978—outliving his father. And at the age of 53, Ian Shaw keeps his father’s legacy alive in a dazzling play about one of the greatest movies of all time and how the demise of one of its supporting characters Bruce the Shark led to a mutual understanding between three unlikely men.
Tickets to “The Shark is Broken” are available online and at The Golden Theatre.
