Jaws: The Parody

When: Sat., July 20, 8 p.m., Sun., July 21, 8 p.m., Mon., July 22, 2 p.m., Wed., July 24, 8 p.m., Thu., July 25, 8 p.m., Fri., July 26, 8 & 10:30 p.m. and Sat., July 27, 8 & 10:30 p.m. 2019

Steven Spielberg's Jaws was the first of the huge summer blockbusters, which is why it's perfect for the intentionally low-budget paws of Magic Smoking Monkey. The theater company specializes in recreating (sorta) a film live on stage in about 60 minutes. The bigger the original's special effects budget, the funnier the Magic Smoking Monkey version becomes, thanks to cardboard sets, dollar-store props and the actors' wild-eyed willingness to try anything for a laugh. Performances of Jaws: The Parody are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday (July 19 to 21), 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday (July 24 and 25) and at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (July 26 to 27). The Regional Arts Commission (6128 Delmar Boulevard; www.stlshakespeare.org) stands in for the beach town of Amity Island, and tickets are $10 to $15.

— Paul Friswold