It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jaws is pretty much a perfect movie. It’s also fairly well known that its production was a legendary hassle.
Because I love Jaws, I was really intrigued awhile back when I heard about The Shark Is Broken coming to Broadway. The gist: Robert Shaw kept a journal during his time playing the role of Quint, and his son Ian has adapted the material into a play about Shaw, Roy Scheider, and Richard Dreyfuss dealing with each other during the long hours between takes. Ian also plays his dad onstage.
Jenn didn’t have an interest in seeing the play, so I took Friday off work, drove over to New York, visited our daughter, saw the show, and drove back after breakfast on Saturday. I love visiting the city, even for something like just 22 hours.
The Shark Is Broken was entertaining and funny and moving, and it really should be seen by fans of the movie, so I hope it has done well enough that it’s produced around the country. Of course, seeing Ian in his dad’s role was special, and the actors playing Scheider (Colin Donnell) and Dreyfuss (Alex Brightman) are also both super talented and accomplished.
Kelsey and I got to hang out and talk and try a new doughnut shop and visit her local coffee spot, and buy bagels for me to bring home – and these are my favorite parts of any visit.
John Booth Writes 