From the Jan. 9, 1987 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

The local radio station began to jabber about extras and speaking parts for “here-we-go-again-Jaws.” Posters proclaimed there was a need for a glamorous wife age 18 to 22, a secretary more than 40 years of age, a deputy about 35, a bandleader and a minister.

So on a sparkling Monday in the first week of the new year, the lobby of the addition to the Kelley House had the beginnings of a milling crowd waiting to audition, be seen, or meet the director. Most were convinced that the director needed only to set eyes on them and they would soar off to a new career.

Mrs. Daniel Hull of West Tisbury, who learned her trade under Jaws casting director Shari Rhodes, is the casting director and along with her assistant, Mrs. Edith Blake of Edgartown, tangled with a barrage of humanity, young and old.

The lobby was filled to the corners and then the halls. The way to get ahead was to get to the head of the line, which packed itself against that magic door to one bedroom now designated Casting.

Old friends began to meet, and older ones from Jaws I held reunions, remembering the excitement and adventure from before. It was a jolly time.

Lee Fierro, who played a part in Jaws I and who has worked in theatre for many years, explained the difference in the waiting room.

“In New York,” she said, “those waiting to audition are quiet, afraid and tense.” But here, she noted, it was friendly and combatants dared to root for a friend.

Telephones rang and rang. Reporters, agents and hopefuls. Mrs. Hull and her assistant became hoarse. Rubbish from Polaroid pictures, dead soda cans and paper cups began to pile up.

Stray actors ambled the halls, script in hand. Pretty young women looked worried and added more lipstick.

Calls began coming in from Boston.

There were those who demanded to see the director, who was not even on the Island yet.

The crunch began to ease and then it was lunchtime and more people drifted in. Then school let out and parents arrived with their children.

There were others who signed up happily as extras, giggling and coaxing reluctant friends into doing the same.

Mrs. Hull listened to readers until evening.

Later came the task of choosing which of the actors had done well enough to come back and read again. For those lucky few there were telephone calls at midnight.

Early Tuesday morning the lobby at the Kelley House was again churning. Proposed deputies and Tiffanys were heard again and rehearsed. Tiffany was the name of the young wife in California and she was required to have good legs since she’d be wearing shorts. The girls hung about most of the day, some in shorts, others wrapped in blankets. An unauthorized person lit a fire on the hearth; there was something wrong with the heating system.

Word was out that the director, Joseph Sargent, was at last on the Island, out in a van with his production staff. Under the supervision of Michael Wild he viewed proposed sites for various scenes. He said he would be back to hear readings at 4 o’clock.

By the end of Tuesday the telephones were at it again. “Has the deputy been picked yet?” “Who’s Tiffany?” “Does he want me back?” “When will I know?” “Did I get it?” “Did anyone get it?”

Early Wednesday morning there were two more readings for the deputy and then the director picked his people.

There were many other parts for those who had failed to win speaking parts. The Rev. James Martin from the West Tisbury Congregational Church will have the speaking part of the minister. Shari Rhodes believes it is always better to cast the real thing if you can. William Marks got the deputy’s role; Martin J. Zuel will be a nonspeaking first selectman; Cyprian P.R. Dube of Jaws I will be mayor (he was selectman in Jaws I and ambulance driver in Jaws II); Edmond Mahoney Jr. will be a nonspeaking second selectman. Polly, the police chief’s secretary, formerly played by Mrs. Henry Scott, will be played by Edna Billotto.

Lee Fierro, who was Mrs. Kentner (the mother whose son was eaten by the shark) in the original Jaws, will play a speaking role as one of the neighbors. The other neighbors who will not speak are Mary Payne, Mrs. John McCauley and Mrs. Norman Bridwell.

David M. Wilson will be the bandmaster and Miss Deanna Ahearn will have a nonspeaking part as Mary Mother of Jesus.

The big part, that of Tiffany, was awarded to Mary Smith.

Scenes will be shot on Main street in Edgartown, at the Methodist Church, in the yard around it and on the harborfront. Extras will be cold — extras always are — but at least this time they will wear winter clothes. Extras in Jaws I and II remember swimming in April, riding Tony’s ferry in shorts in November and no leaves on the trees for the Fourth of July parade. For those who aren’t extras, it promises to be an interesting February as they watch arc lights roll again on the streets of Edgartown.

Compiled by Hilary Wallcox

library@vineyardgazette.com