The Shark is Broken at Western Reserve Playhouse

Western Reserve Playhouse Presents the Midwest Regional Premiere of The Shark is Broken: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Jaws Kicks Off the 2025 Season

BATH, OH—Western Reserve Playhouse (WRP), Summit County’s historic barn theatre, proudly launches its 2025-2026 season with the Midwest regional premiere of The Shark is Broken, running from April 4 to April 13, 2025. This critically acclaimed comedy dives into the tumultuous filming of Jaws, offering a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of the strained relationships between the film’s stars as they grapple with delays, clashing egos, and a malfunctioning mechanical shark.

Directed by Chris Bizub, this production stars WRP Artistic Director August Scarpelli as Robert Shaw, joined by Robert Webster Jr. as Roy Scheider and Keenan Carosielli as Richard Dreyfuss. Their stories bring to life the legendary tensions and unexpected camaraderie that shaped one of Hollywood’s greatest thrillers.

But WRP isn’t stopping with just one story. In true celebration of storytelling, each performance of The Shark is Broken will open with a brand-new, original short play as part of the Short Cuts Play Festival. New playwrights and new directors will bring their fresh perspectives to the stage, ensuring that no two nights are the same.

“This is an exciting pairing ,” says Artistic Director August Scarpelli. “You’re getting a new experience every night—one that shows off Akron’s and Cleveland’s emerging talent, plus a still very new and critically acclaimed comedy about one of the most famous, and arguably important films ever made. In between the two you can find the stuff that only live theatre can touch. The live wire between the fresh and the established.”

Set in WRP’s intimate 95-seat theatre, housed in a fully restored 160-year-old dairy barn, this production continues the Playhouse’s tradition of bringing innovative and dynamic storytelling to Northeast Ohio audiences.

Tickets are on sale now! Secure your seat for this limited engagement by visiting www.thewrp.org

For press inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:

Media Contact: Braelin Andrzejewski Marketing Coordinator Western Reserve Playhouse Braelin@thewrp.org