Charleston’s Cannon Street Arts Center to Premiere Southeast Regional Production of The Shark Is Broken

Charleston to Host Exclusive Southeast Premiere of The Shark Is Broken

Exciting news, Charleston! PURE Theatre is rolling out the red carpet for the Southeast Regional Premiere of The Shark Is Broken, and it’s creating quite the buzz. This intriguing play, penned by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, has already made waves with its fantastic run on Broadway in 2023. To mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic movie Jaws, the show is all set to grace the Cannon Street Arts Center stage from January 16 to February 8, followed by performances from February 28 through March 1 at the USC Beaufort Center for the Arts.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Picture this: it’s 1974, and the open ocean becomes a chaotic set where everything that could go wrong seems to do so. The play unfolds during the turbulent filming of Jaws, where the leading actors—Robert Shaw, along with Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider—find themselves crammed into a tiny boat, battling the elements and a less-than-cooperative mechanical shark. What ensues is a rollercoaster of humor as they navigate their personal conflicts, indulgences, and the pressures of making movie magic while the storm of creative differences looms just nearby.

Meet the Cast

Under the direction of Sharon Graci, PURE’s Artistic Director, the show showcases a stellar ensemble. We’ve got Rodney Lee Rogers taking on the role of Robert Shaw, R.W. Smith as Roy Scheider, and David Mandel stepping into the shoes of Richard Dreyfuss. This dynamic trio hasn’t shared the stage since their memorable collaboration in American Buffalo.

Rodney expressed his excitement by reminiscing, “Somewhere around ten years old, I saw Robert Shaw in Force Ten from Navarone, and I was hooked ever since. Getting to explore his life and career is a profound journey that I treasure deeply.”

R.W. shared a heartwarming story about his connection to Jaws, saying, “My father and I watched it together when it first hit theaters. It has a special place in my heart, capturing the thrill and magic of cinema.” He smiles, adding that portraying Sheriff Brody—a character reminiscent of his father—is a unique way to honor both the film and his dad.

Meanwhile, David finds a quirky connection with the story, noting, “It feels almost fateful that Peter Benchley finished his final draft of the novel the week I was born. Sharing the stage with Rodney and Smitty as we evoke 1970s cinema brings a delightful twist to my winter calendar.”

Get Your Tickets!

Now, let’s talk about how you can catch this amazing show! Tickets for The Shark Is Broken range from $47 to $53, with some fantastic options for everyone. Mark your calendars for January 16 and January 22 because those are your Pay What You Will nights, and those tickets will be available for online purchase starting two weeks before the premiere. Plus, students can snag tickets for just $12 for any performance. Does it get any better than that?

More Info

If you’re itching for more details, hop over to puretheatre.org for all the information you need. You can also reach the box office at 843.723.4444, open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 AM to 4 PM. Don’t miss out on this exhilarating experience that promises to be both hilarious and touching, all while filling your heart with nostalgia for one of Hollywood’s biggest hits!