With Jaws having just swam back into theaters for its fortieth anniversary and recent shark attacks in North Carolina, The Ruckus' world premiere of 'Matawan' comes at a perfect time. Playwright Dan Caffrey set out to write a play that captures the time period of the early 1900s, an era he always felt was glossed over in school. This new work tells the story of a small New England town dealing with a killer shark. Sound familiar? The 1916 great white shark attacks off the coast of New Jersey were the basis for Peter Benchly's novel Jaws. Until 1916 very little was known about sharks and most people believed they did not attack bathers.

At it's core 'Matawan' is less a play about a man-eating shark and more about fear. Even the shark has a fear-soaked narrative throughout the show. The large cast of characters and well-written vignettes all deal with anxieties concerning war, globalization, disease and life happiness. For the first time in history, Americans were economically comfortable enough to have the luxury to look outside themselves and Caffrey captures this ever-relevant sense of impending doom that seems to consume most people today too.

One might wonder how it's possible to depict a shark attack on stage. Director Allison Shoemaker makes really bold choices with her production. Instead of gruesome displays of blood and guts, Shoemaker's attacks are almost sexual in nature. In fact, the entire production is so very craftily done. Actors play instruments to simulate sound effects and the result is genuinly creepy.

Caffrey delivers a truly unique script. The subject matter poses some obvious logistical problems but the creative team at The Ruckus show they're more than capable of taking on this challenge. Not only was the production insightful but also exceedingly well acted. How often can a shark make you misty? (John J Accrocco)

Through July 26th at The Athenaeum Theatre. 2963 N Southport Ave. 773-935-6860