Alex Brigthman is no stranger to diving headfirst into Broadway shows based on beloved titles—after all, he’s a two-time Tony nominee for leading roles in “School of Rock” and “Beetlejuice.” But his latest project is in a bigger boat altogether. “The Shark Is Broken,” a new play that opened August 10th, captures the behind-the-scenes turmoil of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster, “Jaws.” Co-written by Ian Shaw—who also stars as his father, Robert—the show sees Brightman donning the sweater of 70s-era Richard Dreyfuss alongside Colin Donnell as Roy Scheider.

“You can't turn your head in any city without seeing some [“Jaws”] shirt, hat, license plate. So I know that's a big deal, and the added pressure for me is that I'm playing the one person who's still alive who has a chance to see it,” Brigthman tells us. “ ‘Pressure’ is the right word, but it's not a pressure that terrifies me. It's interesting, and I'm always excited about doing new things. This version of a new thing is like tight-rope walking with somebody's child.”

On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Brightman gives us a glimpse of his intensive character-creation process, as well as a backstage look at the most emotionally fraught moment in “The Shark Is Broken.”

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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

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