So, the show was brilliant. I mean that .....brilliant.
Ian Shaw......was SO GOOD that I had to hard blink several times to remind myself that he wasn't his father. I can't IMAGINE what it must have been like to play his father, showcasing his better, and worse, traits. Regardless, he should be PROUD because, as previously mentioned, there were moments that I had to remind myself that is wasn't 1975. It was an inspired performance.
You will enjoy it best if you not only have seen JAWS, but if you are familiar with the documentary information, about the production. (If you aren't, I highly recommend it....it is a fascinating movie- making story). Stories and facts from all of the supplemental documentaries are referenced in great detail. This is a true movie lover's broadway show. It is NOT a show OF JAWS. It is a show ABOUT the ACTORS. (In case anyone was excited about it for the wrong reasons). It is a deep cut, and I am so happy that it is.
Additionally, things from the famous THE JAWS LOG, by Carl Gottleib are referenced. If you haven't read that, it is a very short book that was a real-time chronicle of the making of the movie. It is singular and a quick, engaging and highly entertaining read. I will link the book below.
It is a post modern, meta show, about the three actors as they are slowly losing it while waiting for Bruce/shark to be fixed and actually function in the unforgiving Atlantic waters. (For those who might not know"'The Shark is Broken" is what was heard 99% of the time on the walkie-talkies during production.)
Colin and Alex are equally inspired in their roles.
Colin's command of Roy's subtle body language and mannerisms is extremely note worthy. His subtlety shouldn't go unnoticed or unmentioned....it was high -level acting. Both the Richard and Robert parts allow for more flagrant and emotive performances.....the Roy part functions as the straight man, trying to keep the other two from killing each other, as he was doing in real life.
Alex goes to town as Richard and he delivers an accurate, neurotic, coke-fueled, poncing portrait of Dreyfuss. He was a riot.
( It was kind of like the John Wayne/gay walking moment in The Birdcage. . .while watching Alex, it occurs to you, as it did to Robin Williams , "Actually it's perfect...I just never realized that Dreyfuss walked like that') . Lol
The highlight for any JAWS fan is the Indianapolis monologue. If anyone here is younger and maybe doesn't know, what Quint says in the movie is true. The story of the Indianapolis had only just been declassified when JAWS came out.....so for many people it was how they found out what happened to their loved ones who served on the Indianapolis and were lost in the war. It is an important movie moment, and an important history moment.
The show portrays several failed attempts of the famouse monologue, until Shaw finally nails it. Just like in life, it went through many rewrites until Shaw gave it the final edit and glow up, making it truly spectacular.
Ian BECOMES his father in this moment. It is pitch perfect in every detail, down to the amount of wrinkles around his eyes when he squints. It gave me chills and made me weepy. I will never forget it.
One small thing that delighted me is that the characters, while passing the time and taking, discuss CASABLANCA ...which led to a moment later when Robert/Quint quotes CASABLANCA.
"Quint" quoting Bogey is something I never knew I NEEDED. It was surreal and amazing and I don'tknow how I have lived without it.
There are some fun parallels drawn to current events, as Roy is reading about Nixon's corruption and hypothesizing that there could never be a more corrupt president. HA!
Overall it was nothing short of spectacular. The *only* thing that might give it some trouble is that A LOT of people have seen JAWS, but not everyone is as familiar with the backstory. If people are going with the intention of seeing a giant shark, they might be upset. If you are going to bask in great performances, nuanced nostalgia and deep movie history cuts, like myself, you will leave grinning ear to ear. I simply adored it.
The Jaws Log: Expanded Edition (Shooting Script) https://a.co/d/0zxp0pF
True Story of the sinking of the Indianapolis
The Iconic Quint Indianapolis Monologue
