The Shark Is Broken

The Shark Is Broken at Boise Little Theater

What happens when the shark won't work, the ocean won't cooperate, and three very different actors are stuck on a boat with nothing but time and tension? You'll find out at Boise Little Theater on January 24 when The Shark Is Broken brings the troubled Jaws production hilariously to life. This comedy by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon pulls back the curtain on the infamous filming delays, offering sharp wit and surprising heart. If you've ever wondered what Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider actually talked about during those long waits, this show delivers the answer with both humor and insight into the craft.

This isn't just another backstage story, it's a character study disguised as comedy, written by Robert Shaw's own son. The mechanical shark fails repeatedly. Weather halts shooting. Three performers with clashing personalities fill the downtime with banter, frustration, and unexpected revelations about their work. Under Curtis Ransom's direction, the production captures both the absurdity of filmmaking disasters and the human dynamics that emerge when creative egos collide in close quarters. The show runs January 15, 30, giving film fans and theater lovers multiple chances to experience this unique blend of Hollywood history and personal drama.

You'll leave with fresh appreciation for the movie and plenty to discuss over dinner about artistic temperament, Hollywood chaos, and what really makes a classic film survive its own production nightmares.

Check ticket options for The Shark Is Broken.