As summer approaches, Falcon Theatre is closing its 2024-2025 with yet another Regional Premiere: The Shark Is Broken by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon. Set in Martha’s Vineyard circa 1974 during the filming of a novice director’s second theatrical movie, the play tells the story of three actors stuck on a set in the ocean while they wait for the film’s mechanical star prop to cooperate.
The Production Team
Director David Derringer had his work cut out for him in keeping the pace and action onstage fluid during an intermission-less show taking place in (virtually) one location. Fortunately, both his vision and skill with blocking serve him well. Mr. Derringer is Scenic and Projection Designer (and shares the Sound Designer credit with Artistic Director and performing artist Ted Weil) and it is clear he knows exactly how this set should look. He is mindful that the actors should be able to move around freely in a space with which they’ve become overly familiar in the weeks of stalled shooting and it pays off. Scene changes are prompt, but I do wonder if adding some sort of distinctive transition “alert” might have helped them to seem less like “pregnant pauses” versus passages of time.
The Performing Artists
Do the performers need to look or sound exactly like the actors they are portraying in a behind-the-scene glimpse of a well-known film? No. But there does need to be enough of the spirit of the Jaws actors for the audience to really feel like the proverbial flies on the wall during this time of cinematic history.
As Jersey native Roy Scheider (aka Chief Brody), Ted Weil puts his dialect prowess – among other things – to good use. Cutting a similar figure to Scheider’s, he embodies the essence of the actor seamlessly with both aesthetics and his natural talent in playing relatable “everymen”. Mr. Weil delivers some of the best one-liners in this staged production with expertise and tackles an emotional arc no amateur actor would want to attempt.
As Richard Dreyfuss (aka marine biologist Hooper), Brady Dunn is fraught with the exact amount of frenetic energy needed to portray the young actor. Mr. Dunn’s grasp of Mr. Dreyfuss’ cadence of speech and mannerisms is quite astute and excellently executed. Furthermore, his depiction dutifully lacks exaggeration of any kind while still punching certain affectations smartly along the way.
Finally as Robert Shaw (better known as a shark hunter named Quint), Keith Cassidy offers us a master class in everything stage-worthy. Given that this text is based on Shaw’s diaries and that his own son co-wrote the play, whomever plays this role has some big shoes to fill. With his appearance altered to be very similar to Mr. Shaw’s and an accent so spot-on even I was envious, Mr. Cassidy is simply brilliant. He is an excellent mimic with the performance talent to make this role his very own. Shaw is a tough nut to crack and Mr. Cassidy gives us all that and more. Bravo to a role played superbly.
The Sweet and Lowdown
Truth be told, I have wanted to see this show since I first read about it circa 2020. When Falcon announced it as this season’s closer, I began to count the days. While being familiar with the film Jaws certainly enhances the experience of this production, it does not feel like a prerequisite. The film is only the catalyst to what is actually the story of three actors sharing their experience as artists, men, and members of the human race. A well-directed and wonderfully-acted time at the theatre is never a bad way to go. This one does not disappoint.
Tickets to The Shark is Broken
Falcon Theatre’s The Shark Is Broken runs now through May 17th. Purchase tickets here.
