Broadway's THE SHARK IS BROKEN Dreyfuss Shaw and Scheider Snap at Each Other on Set

The opening bars of JAWS; doo doo, doo doo, is arguably more famous than Beethoven's dah dah dah dah!  Fifty years since JAWS first broke box office records and scared people from venturing into the ocean, the lure of JAWS has not diminished the film's "fin"nome on pop culture.  Spielberg, an up and coming director at the time made Benchley's novel into a whale of tale using animatronics and by casting Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider in the lead roles. The mechanical sharks for the film were continually problematic.  For long stretches while on set, the actors were kept on standby as the shark was being repaired. This clever, comedic play on Broadway at the Golden Theater is a three actor,  one act. one set play onboard the fishing boat.  What's captured is the banter, hard drinking and fiery dynamics between the actors during their downtime.  Lest you think these rantings are conjectures or that you're seeing Shaw's doppelgänger, know that Shaw is played by his son, Ian Shaw, who found his famous father's writings of what transpired while the three were stranded at sea.  Besides starring as his dad, Ian also co-wrote the play.  Dreyfuss (Colin Donnell) is portrayed in all the fast-talking, nueroticism you would expect. Shaw (Ian Shaw) comes off as an inebriated, intellectual brut who took pleasure in tormenting Dreyfuss.  Scheider is a voice of reason and acts as the peace-maker in the group.  All three actors are wonderfully convincing and entertaining in the cast. Scheider's NYTimes is as ubiquitous as Shaw's flask. Scheider updates the others daily on the Nixon/Watergate scandal.  The play acts a zeitgeist for the 70's and much of the humor comes from Shaw's ironic predictions of relentless sequels and Scheider's incredulous comments on corrupt politicians.  The three are left to find ways to pass the time which leads to betting games, baiting each other and personal revelations.  Dreyfuss questions whether their work as actors constitutes art or whether it's silly and self-indulgent. Scheider counsels from a business perspective in which many people are depending on them as actors.  Whereas Shaw, who is held in unabashed esteem by Dreyfuss, lords theater, Shakespeare and writing over mainstream, popular movies.  The ingenious set is the rustic, fishing vessel which lends itself to the gruffness and isolation conducive to anchoring a forced camaraderie.  The show opened with the ominous notes and a fierce, animated shark swimming in the water which suddenly sputters, smokes and sinks.  This dubious event sets the tone for a chuckle worthy 90 minute cruise laden with grit and wit allowing the audience to fathom human nature and entertainment extending leagues down into its depths.   For those seeking smaller, smarter productions vs. major Broadway musicals, this is the show to catch.   You're gonna need to bring bigger expectation for this unique and uproarious production.