Meet the Cast of THE SHARK IS BROKEN, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

The Shark is Broken officially begins previews tonight, July 25, at the John Golden Theatre. The play officially opens on Thursday, August 10, 2023, for a strictly limited 16-week engagement.

Co-written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, this new Olivier Award-nominated comedy imagines what happened on board “The Orca” when the cameras stopped rolling during the filming of Steven Spielberg's blockbuster, JAWS. 

The Shark is Broken stars two-time Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice, School of Rock) as Richard Dreyfuss, Colin Donnell (Anything Goes, “Chicago Med”) as Roy Scheider, and Ian Shaw who will make his Broadway debut portraying his father Robert Shaw, who played “Quint” in JAWS.  Rounding out the company are Peter Bradbury, Stephen Dexter, and Coby Getzug. 

Meet the cast below!

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Alex Brightman

Richard Dreyfuss

Alex Brightman (Richard Dreyfuss) is a two-time Tony-nominated actor for his performances in Beetlejuice the Musical and School of Rock. Other Broadway credits include Matilda, Big Fish, Wicked & Glory Days. Alex can be seen on the current (and final) season of The Blacklist on NBC as forensic analyst Herbie Hambright. Other TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Documentary Now!, The Good Fight, Blue Bloods, and Important Things w/ Demetri Martin. Alex is the voice of Pugsley/Temeluchus on the acclaimed Netflix animated series Dead End: Paranormal Park as well as the voice of Fizzarolli on Helluva Boss. As a writer, Alex has developed series with NBC, Universal, 20th Century, and Warner Brothers. Alex’s play, Everything Is Fine, recently received a developmental reading at Manhattan Theatre Club directed by Cynthia Nixon. He dedicates this performance to those living with chronic pain and illness, and urges you to check out and donate to The Arthritis Foundation. Alex has a dog named Kevin and two adorably awesome nieces.

COLIN DONNELL

Roy Scheider

Colin Donnell (Roy Scheider) can most recently be seen as the all-out lead of Peacock’s “Irreverent”. Colin is known for his work as Dr. Connor Rhodes in NBC’s drama “Chicago Med” and as Tommy Merlyn in CW’s “Arrow.” Other appearances include Scott Lockhart in Showtime’s hit series “The Affair”, “Pan Am,” “Person of Interest” and “The Mysteries of Laura.” His film appearances include “Every Secret Thing,” which also starred Diane Lane and Elizabeth Banks, and “Almost Love” opposite Michelle Buteau.

On stage, Colin Donnell recently starred as Russell Hammond in the musical adaptation of Cameron Crowe’s acclaimed show Almost Famous at The Old Globe. His Broadway work includes “Violet,” “Anything Goes” (which garnered him Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Astaire nominations), and “Jersey Boys.” Among his other notable stage appearances are “Follies,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Lady Be Good” at the New York City Center, The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park production of “Loves Labours Lost” and “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Additionally, he’s toured with productions of “Wicked” and “Mamma Mia.”

Born in St. Louis, Donnell is a resident of New York.

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Ian Shaw

CO-WRITER, Robert Shaw

Ian Shaw (Co-Writer, Robert Shaw) trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, having obtained a BA in American Studies at Sussex University. Theatre includes War Horse and Common (National Theatre); Widowers’ Houses, The Importance of Being Earnest, Nude with Violin, The Philadelphia Story, and The Brothers Karamazov (Manchester Royal Exchange); Three Sisters (Nuffield and Theatre Royal Bath); Private Lives and Closer (Birmingham Rep); The Rivals (Derby Playhouse and Philadelphia Walnut St); The Tempest (SRT) and Much Ado About Nothing in London’s West End. Television includes “Sharpe,” “Soldier, Soldier,” “Medics,” “Wuthering Heights,” “The Queen,” “Ghost Hour,” “Silent Witness,” “Cambridge Spies” and the Emmy award-winning “Hiroshima.” Film includes Century, Moondance, The Boys and Girl from County Clare, The Contract and Johnny English Reborn.

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Peter Bradbury

UNDERSTUDY

Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw

Broadway: Christmas Carol, Hangmen, Trouble in Mind, Ferryman, Travesties, Farinelli, Cherry Orchard, Long Day’s Journey, Hughie, King Charles III, Elephant Man, Casa Valentina, Cyrano, Picnic, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Championship Season, Norman Conquests, Man For All Seasons, Present Laughter, Hedda Gabler, Caine Mutiny  TV: “GildedAge” “FBI Most Wanted”, “NewAmsterdam”, “Blacklist”, “Deception”, “ShadesofBlue”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “Homeland”, “House of Cards”, “Sally Hemings”, “Law&Order”

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Stephen Dexter

UNDERSTUDY

Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw

Broadway debut. Off-Broadway: Turn Me Loose (Westside Theatre), AZAK (Rattlestick), The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot (La Mama). Tour: Hikobae (Will Do Productions, Tokyo). Film/TV: “American Morning” (Best Actor, Beaufort Film Festival), “Evil”, “Billions”, “Dr. Death”. Proud graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. I love you, Sarah.

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Coby Getzug

UNDERSTUDY

Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider

Broadway/National Tour: The Band’s Visit (Papi), The Book of Mormon (Elder Cunningham), Spring Awakening (Moritz), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Eugene). Regional: The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Mark Taper Forum), Our Town (Broad Stage), The Black Suits (Kirk Douglas Theatre). TV: The Deuce, God Friended Me, Encore. For my family. Register to vote!