The Shark Is Broken - review

[Jane Zussman]

Riverwalk’s Dart Black Box Stage is floating in the ocean with an amazing boat set that closely mimics the “Orca” boat used in the infamous film, Jaws. The scenography (Rachel Daugherty) creates a vast sea backdrop and the weathered wood of the vessel. What makes this set even more amazing is that it cost $0 thanks to the ingenuity, creativity and recycling of designer Leroy Cupp and his scene-shop team. Sound design (Leon Green) gives us hints of malfunctions beyond our view.

I never saw Jaws, but have seen enough clips of this infamous blockbuster movie to appreciate the context. Fans of the movie will get even more out of it. Still, it’s not about the movie; it’s about the three men stranded together while their mechanical shark is broken, their frustrations, their boredom, their arguments, games and stories.

Jeff Magnuson, Kameron Going, and Michael Palmer are very convincing as the philosophical, funny, competitive men dodging and weaving and passing the time and passing on their stories. They attack, referee and reconcile throughout the 90-minute play. Director Amy Rickett has masterfully blocked them climbing, stumbling, maneuvering in the cramped cabin and surrounding deck. .

Michael Palmer first appears with his “Nixon Resigns” newspaper and sets us back to 1974. As Roy Scheider, he is the chain smoking “adult in the room” mediating between the battling egos of ambitious young actor Richard Dreyfus (Kameron Going) and dramatically drunk and profound veteran Robert Shaw (Jeff Magnuson). All three actors mesh with compelling pace and authenticity. 

Cats Maris, Eric Vincent and Xander Adamski serve as patient sideline observers Director Stephen Speilberg, Assistant Director and Camera/Sound operator, keeping us in movie-mode during scene changes.

This impressive play is likely to sell out of the small-ish Black Box, so get your tickets soon. Plan to arrive early, because it’s general seating, and to allow time to enjoy Joe Holley’s artistic photographs in the lobby gallery — and to get your drinks/snacks to take into the theatre, since there is no intermission.

The Shark Is Broken continues through May 17.  Tickets at  www.riverwalktheatre.com

Jane Zussman

G.L.U.T. List

(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)

cell 517-930-0932

JSZu...@gmail.com

http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 

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