The Shark is Broken

The tension behind the scenes of one of cinema’s most iconic thrillers comes to life in a comedic stage play that blends fact, fiction and nostalgia. Wrapping up its 30th anniversary season, Actors’ Playhouse dives into the turbulent production of a film that would become a cultural phenomenon.

The Shark is Broken runs from July 15 to August 9, 2026 on select dates at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. Written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, the play offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the making of Jaws, where production delays, creative clashes and a famously uncooperative mechanical shark pushed tensions high. Set on a boat and driven by sharp dialogue, the story focuses on actors Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider as they clash and bond while waiting for the cameras to roll—unaware they’re shaping the future of blockbuster cinema.

Part of the 2025–2026 Mainstage Season titled A Season of Truth and Illusions, this darkly funny and intimate portrayal of artistic pressure and unexpected legacy closes the season on a note of wit and reflection. Single tickets go on sale August 1.