Exclusive Interview: Bill Simmons of Tipping Point Theatre’s ‘The Shark is Broken’

There’s nothing quite like a summer blockbuster to kick off a season of fun and relaxation in the sun. For as long as I can remember, studios have fought over the summer movie of the year, attempting to take that spot and reign supreme for that year. From Marvel films to Barbie and Oppenheimer, cinema domination has been a staple of moviegoers for quite some time now. Rewind about 50 years, and Jaws was the first film to kick off the summer blockbuster trend, bringing people in to see the larger-than-life (and bigger-than-the-boat) shark and the terror it brought to Amity Island. With so many people still having Jaws fever, Tipping Point Theatre has decided to open its season with a play that takes audiences behind the scenes of the movie, in The Shark Is Broken! While the cast and crew have been hard at work bringing the Orca to the Northville stage, we sat down and spoke with the director of the show, Bill Simmons, about what drew him to directing this play at Tipping Point Theatre!
In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Bill Simmons talks about his fascination and journey with Jaws and what about The Shark is Broken script drew him in. With a narrative of three incredible actors woven into the drama of making a film, Simmons talks about how he wants to highlight the humanity of the story, while also exploring why films such as Jaws are so timeless and still relevant. The director also discusses how his directorial style has evolved over the years and how his approach to The Shark is Broken has shifted since the last show he directed at Tipping Point Theatre.
Find the audio version of this podcast here, on Apple, Spotify, or most places podcasts are available!
Get ready for an exciting season at Tipping Point Theatre by checking out The Shark is Broken!
The Shark is Broken opens today and runs through October 12, so get your tickets now from Tipping Point Theatre’s website or box office! Are you ready to check out this play? Looking for a way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws? Let us know @BoxSeatBabes on all social media platforms!
Exclusive Interview: Julia Glander Artistic Director of Tipping Point Theatre