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 It’s 1974. The set of Jaws. The mechanical shark is malfunctioning, the schedule is in shambles, and three actors - Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider - are stuck on a boat, battling egos, alcohol, and artistic frustration. A razor-sharp, behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of the greatest films of all time.
ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY
Presents the West Coast Premiere of the Hit Broadway Play
THE SHARK IS BROKEN
Written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon
Directed by Pesha Rudnick
The Malfunctioning begins Wednesday, February 4
at The New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara!
“Definitely a wild ride worth taking.” – Entertainment Weekly
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC), Santa Barbara's only professional theatre company and a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), continues its 47th season "Truth and Illusion" with the West Coast premiere of the hit Broadway play, based on the making of the movie Jaws, THE SHARK IS BROKEN, written by Ian Shaw (Robert Shaw’s son) and directed by Pesha Rudncik.
It’s 1974. The set of Jaws. The mechanical shark is malfunctioning, the schedule is in shambles, and three actors - Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider - are stuck on a boat, battling egos, alcohol, and artistic frustration. A razor-sharp, behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of the greatest films of all time.
'The Shark is Broken' is a love letter to both movie and theatre fans. Our audiences will get an electrifying behind-the-scenes look at the making of Jaws - one of the most iconic films of all time - as we celebrate its 50th anniversary,” comments Scott Devine, ETC’s executive artistic director. “This brilliantly witty play captures the reality of three legendary actors being trapped on the ‘Orca,’ egos clashing, waiting for a mechanical shark that refuses to work to attack. It's Hollywood chaos at its finest. The show fits perfectly into our season exploring 'truth and illusion' because it reveals the messy, hilarious reality behind movie magic - Robert Shaw’s journals captured their day-to-day reality and while those days did not make it to the screen it embodied a story that was just as compelling as the film itself. Fair warning: based on the buzz we're hearing, we're gonna need a bigger theater!”
ETC is committed to ensuring that transformative theatrical experiences remain accessible to all Santa Barbara community members through its “Community Pay What You Can Program.” The Pay What You Can performance for THE SHARK IS BROKEN will be Wednesday, February 4. This initiative continues throughout ETC's season, with Community Pay What You Can performances on Wednesday, April 1st for A Night With Janis Joplin and Wednesday, June 3rd for Every Brilliant Thing.
ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST
IAN SHAW (Playwright) trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, having obtained a B.A. 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.”
JOSEPH NIXON (Co-Writer) is the author (with Brian Mitchell) of the plays Those Magnificent Men (New Perspectives, 2010) Big Daddy vs. Giant Haystacks (The Foundry Group, 2011) Seven Studies in Salesmanship (The Foundry Group, 2013) and the musical The Opinion Makers (Mercury Theatre/Derby Theatre 2013.) He has written material for Joanna Neary, Jo Caulfield, Jerry Sadowitz, and Basil Brush.
PESHA RUDNICK (Director) is the founding artistic director of Local Theater Company dedicated to the development of new American plays. Pesha produced, developed and directed over forty new works and received 53 Colorado Theatre Guild nominations and awards.
Nationally, Pesha’s directed new plays at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, The Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Florida Stage, Curious Theater Company and others. In 2021, Pesha relocated to Santa Barbara and joined the UC Santa Barbara Department of Theatre and Dance faculty. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree from New York University. Pesha is passionate about arts education and advocates for accessible high-quality arts education for all. She serves as a board member at Second Stage Theatre in New York City (Chair HR committee), LightsUp! Theatre Company in Santa Barbara and Local Theater Company in Colorado. Pesha is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) For more on Pesha, www.pesharudnick.com or watch her TEDx talk on "The Danger of Live Theater.”
THE SHARK IS BROKEN features three exceptional actors: Will Block as “Richard Dreyfuss,” returning once again to ETC and the New Vic stage after his stunning performances as “Hamlet” in Hamlet, The Thanksgiving Play and The Wickhams Gildart Jackson as “Robert Shaw,” who portrayed “Gideon” on the cult TV series “Charmed” and who made his ETC debut in last season’s Parents In Chains and Adam Poole as “Roy Scheider,” who is making his ETC debut after performing in The Shark is Broken for the NC Stage Company and locally in Million Dollar Quartet at 5-Star Theatricals.
An accomplished design team brings the world of the Orca to life: Fred Kinney (Scenic Design) Michael Klaers (Lighting Design) Adriana Lámbarri (Costume Design) Elijah Frankle (Projection Design) Jazer Sibley-Schwartz (Sound Design) Alex Johnston (Properties Design) Sean O’Shea (Fight Coordinator) Casting by Michael Donovan Casting, Michael Donovan, CSA & Richie Ferris, CSA Dramaturgy by Ward LeHardy. The Production Stage Manager is Kristal Georgopoulos.
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
THE SHARK IS BROKEN previews on Wednesday, February 4 (Community Pay-What-You-Can Night), Thursday, February 5 at 7:30pm and Friday, February 6 at 8:00pm opens on Saturday, February 7 at 8:00pm (press opening) and runs through Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 2:00pm at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.
Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm with added performances on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30pm, Saturday, February 14 at 3pm, Wednesday, February 18 at 2pm and Saturday, February 21 at 3:00pm at
The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.
Ticket prices range from $40 - $104. All Patrons 35 and under are always $35. Student tickets are $25.
Single tickets are available through the ETC ticket office at (805) 965-5400, or online at etcsb.org. Prices subject to change.
To schedule press interviews, photos or press comps, please contact David Elzer/DEMAND PR at 818-508-1754 or by e-mail at davidelzer@me.com.
ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY, a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), is Santa Barbara's sole professional Equity theater company. ETC is committed to producing the highest professional quality theater in Santa Barbara, employing accomplished professional actors and stage managers.
ETC has been home to several world, American and West Coast premieres and has received recognition and accolades throughout its enduring history, including being recognized as an Equity theater company by the Actors' Equity Association, the labor union for American actors and stage managers. As the sole professional Equity theatre company in Santa Barbara, ETC brings a wide range of accomplished theatrical professionals to the region. For more information, visit our website at etcsb.org.
Presenter / Producer: Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara
Listed Categories
Theater > Theatrical Comedy
Event Phone: 805-965-5400
Venue
The New Vic
33 W. Victoria Street
Santa Barbara CA 93101
Regions:
Ventura, Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo
Performance Dates: 2/4/2026 - 2/22/2026
Wednesday, 02/04/2026
Thursday, 02/05/2026
Friday, 02/06/2026
Saturday, 02/07/2026
Sunday, 02/08/2026
Tuesday, 02/10/2026
Wednesday, 02/11/2026
Thursday, 02/12/2026
Friday, 02/13/2026
Saturday, 02/14/2026
Sunday, 02/15/2026
Wednesday, 02/18/2026
Thursday, 02/19/2026
Friday, 02/20/2026
Saturday, 02/21/2026
Sunday, 02/22/2026
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Performance Times
Previews on Wednesday, February 4 (Community Pay-What-You-Can Night), Thursday, February 5 at 7:30pm and Friday, February 6 at 8:00pm
Opens on Saturday, February 7 at 8:00pm (Press Opening)
Runs: Wednesday, February 4 - Sunday, February 22, 2026
Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm,
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm,
and Sundays at 2:00pm
Added performances on:
Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30pm,
Saturday, February 14 at 3pm,
Wednesday, February 18 at 2pm
Saturday, February 21 at 3:00pm
95 minutes with no intermission
Ticket Information:
Ticket Prices range from $40 - $104
All Patrons 35 and under are always $35. Student tickets are $25. Prices subject to change.
For tickets -- visit www.etcsb.org or call (805) 965-5400
Web Link for ticketing
Websites:
Event Information
Social Media or other Links:
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