Play about 'Jaws' actors bickering on set extends run in Braddock
As the iconic 1975 blockbuster “Jaws” marks its 50th anniversary this week, the stage play “The Shark Is Broken,” which dives into the behind-the-scenes drama of the movie’s actors stuck on a boat with a constantly malfunctioning mechanical shark, enters its fourth week of a sold-out run in Braddock.
Since the show opened in May at the Barebones Black Box, tickets have been in high demand as the Braddock theater only seats 70 people at a time.
Quint, the shark hunter, is played by Patrick Jordan, founder and artistic director of Barebones Productions. He said “The Shark is Broken” has been one of the longest-running productions put on there.
“We’ve added a lot of dates to what is our typical run,” Jordan said.
Barebones Productions announced that in addition to already sold-out shows on Wednesday and Thursday evening as well as Sunday afternoon and evening, the cast would be performing once again on June 25. Tickets for June 25 were still available Wednesday afternoon.
“The Shark is Broken,” written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, is directed by Steve Parys for Barebones. It also featured actors Patrick Cannon and Quinn Patrick Shannon in showings from May 30 to June 15.
However, Shannon’s schedule was not flexible enough to accommodate the extended performances. Acting in his place, starting June 18, is Michael Patrick Trimm, who received a call from Jordan and Parys to read lines earlier this month.
“Theater right now is struggling,” Trimm said. “I didn’t want to be someone who stood in the way of a sold-out run.”
Despite extended showings, Jordan said the cast and crew have held up well, especially because it is a fun production. However, the set, designed initially for only 12 performances, has suffered some wear-and-tear, including replacing the hinges on a door.
The Braddock Public House brewpub is located in the front of the building housing the theater and sells “Jaws” drink specials to accompany the play, including Narragansett beer in a can.
“The Shark is Broken” only has tickets remaining for the June 25 show, which can be purchased for $54.84, including taxes, on the Barebone Productions website.
Megan Trotter is a TribLive staff writer. She can be reached at mtrotter@triblive.com.
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