From TOLEDO REPERTOIRE THEATRE
The Toledo Repertoire Theatre will stage “The Shark Is Broken,” weekends April 24 through May 3.
Co-written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, this behind-the-scenes comedy takes audiences back to the chaotic summer production of “Jaws” — widely considered the first summer blockbuster.
Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, at 16 Tenth Street, Toledo.
Long before the world knew it would change cinema forever, the stars of the film had no idea what they were in for. The play puts the short tempers and sharp wit of “Jaws” costars Robert Shaw (Jake Spencer), Richard Dreyfuss (Ryan Albrecht), and Roy Scheider (Brian Dario) front and center as they bond, argue, drink, gamble, and wait out a shoot plagued by unpredictable weather and a mechanical shark that seems determined to sink the entire picture.
Ian Shaw, the playwright, is the son of the actor Robert Shaw.
Director Gary Insch brings a personal connection to this story: “What may surprise audiences is that the play is a comedy. People who were around during its initial theatrical run will recognize a number of cultural references to the early 1970s. Other audience members will be intrigued by watching where the actors on screen and the actors as human beings intersect and diverge from our conceptions. It is a fun, exciting, and surprising ride that I am sure audiences will enjoy.”
The production features the following cast:
Dario said: “As a big fan of Jaws, I knew I wanted to audition for this show. It has all the nostalgic feelings for me, and being offered the role of Roy Scheider brought both excitement and dread. Playing a real person with the opposite personality as myself has brought a unique challenge that Gary has given me the confidence to play.”
Albrecht said: “I jumped at the opportunity to portray a film legend in Richard Dreyfuss. Getting to jump into the mind of an actor who has been in and creating so many critically important films is a dream. Audiences will love coming along on the journey of Jaws with us.”
Spencer said: “This play isn’t really about a shark movie. It’s about legacy. It’s about time taken, time wasted, time lost — a slice of life that perfectly captures the pressure cooker of the filmmaking experience. Shaw pulls me in because he is brilliant and contradictory: funny, dangerous, deeply human, and trying to leave his mark. I’m proud to have been given such an opportunity.”
Tickets and additional information are available at www.toledorep.org or by calling the box office at 419-243-9277.
