The Shark Is Broken—the Olivier-nominated comedy about the on-set struggles of the film Jaws—begins Broadway previews July 25 at the Golden Theatre for a limited engagement through November 19. Opening night is set for August 10.
Ian Shaw, Alex Brightman, and Colin Donnell play Richard Shaw (Ian's father), Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider, respectively, the chums (pun intended) who starred in the 1975 blockbuster film. Despite the movie's $800 million box office and three Academy Awards (Best Original Score, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Film Editing), the on-set squabbles between Shaw and Dreyfuss became Hollywood legend.
With a script co-written by Shaw and Joseph Nixon, the comedy takes audiences behind the scenes as the film's three stars try to cope with foul weather, a temperamental mechanical shark, and each other's egos.
Peter Bradbury, Stephen Dexter, and Coby Getzug are understudies for the production.
Guy Masterson makes his Broadway directorial debut, leading a creative team that includes scenic and costume design by Duncan Henderson, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design and original music by Adam Cork, and video design by Nina Dunn. Wig design and construction is by Campbell Young Associates. Kate Wilson is the dialect coach and Patrick McCollum is the movement director.
Timothy R. Simon serves as production stage manager, and Justin Gleiberman is the company manager. Production management is by Aurora Productions and general management is by TT Partners, Rebecca Habel. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Alexandre Bleau of Jim Carnahan Casting.
The Shark Is Broken premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2019, and opened in the West End in 2021, where it was nominated for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play at the 2022 Olivier Awards.
The Broadway bow is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis, and GFour Productions, with Tulchin Partner Productions, Eileen Davidson Productions, LD Entertainment, No Guarantees, Theatre Tours International LTD/Shooting the Breeze, Richard Batchelder, Jane Bergère, Larry Magic, Cue to Cue Productions/Jamie deRoy, Tara Shoemaker Couture/Jill Lenhart, Marc Goldman/Richard and Claudia Beeny, Moellenberg/Hornos, and Jesse Singer/Matthew Levy.
