The Shark Is Broken—the Olivier-nominated comedy about the on-set struggles of the film Jaws—began
Broadway previews July 25 and officially opens August 10 at the Golden Theatre for a limited
engagement through November 19.
Ian Shaw, Alex Brightman, and Colin Donnell play Robert 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.
Watch highlights from the production in the videos above and below.
Peter Bradbury, Stephen Dexter, and Coby Getzug are understudies.
Guy Masterson makes his Broadway directorial debut, leading a production that also has 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 are by Campbell Young Associates. Kate Wilson is the dialect coach, and Patrick McCollum is the movement director.
Timothy R. Semon 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 in association with Tulchin Bartner Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions, LD Entertainment, No Guarantees, Jane Bergère, Richard Batchelder, Larry Magid, Theatre Tours International LTD, Shooting The Breeze, Cue To Cue Productions/Jamie deRoy, Marc Goldman/Richard & Claudia Beeny, Jill Lenhart/Yara Shoemaker Couture, Moellenberg/Hornos, Pinnacle Productions/Bill Hanney, and Jesse Singer/Matthew Levy.
