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

Press Release
Written By Braelin A

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2025

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

Braelin A

Braelin A. (she/her) is a queer, neurodivergent educator and entrepreneur from Cleveland, Ohio, who brings her richly diverse background and transparent self-awareness to the forefront of sexual health education. At 29, she leads Evidentia with a philosophy that personal history informs educational style, advocating for inclusivity and evidence-based, trauma-informed care. Formerly a child actor, Braelin has pivoted from professional theatre due to its systemic injustices, channeling her experiences into Evidentia and its HealthEquity Toolkit. She's holds a post-baccalaureate in Cannabis Therapeutics from Maryland University of Integrative Health and attended the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment. Committed to dismantling educational privilege, Braelin's mission is to deliver accessible, transformative resources that challenge oppression and promote holistic well-being.

http://www.braelina.com/
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