Avett Brothers’ Musical ‘Swept Away’ Opens on Broadway to Mixed Reviews

The Avett Brothers‘ highly anticipated musical, ‘Swept Away,’ officially opened at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway on November 19, 2024. Directed by Michael Mayer and featuring a book by John Logan, the musical tells the gripping story of four survivors of an 1888 shipwreck off the coast of New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The cast is led by Tony winner John Gallagher, Jr. as Mate, Stark Sands as Big Brother, Adrian Blake Enscoe as Little Brother, and Wayne Duvall as Captain. The ensemble includes Hunter Brown, Matt DeAngelis, Cameron Johnson, and others, with newcomers Josh Breckenridge, Rico LeBron, Chase Peacock, and David Rowen joining the company. Swings John Michael Finley and Robert Pendilla complete the cast.

The musical delves into the survivors’ desperate struggle to stay alive without food or water, forcing them to confront the consequences of their actions and ultimately discover the path to forgiveness. The creative team behind ‘Swept Away’ includes choreographer David Newmann, music arrangers and orchestrators Chris Miller and Brian Usifer, music director Will Van Dyke, and several Tony-winning designers such as Rachel Hauck, Susan Hilferty, Kevin Adams, and John Shivers.

Reviews from various critics have been mixed. While some praise the powerful storytelling and the cast’s performances, others have noted some narrative and pacing issues. Critics from publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post have shared their thoughts, with some highlighting the emotional depth and others criticizing certain creative choices.

‘Swept Away’ is produced by Matthew Masten, Sean Hudock, and Madison Wells Live, with executive production by Wagner Johnson Productions. For those interested, a limited edition Opening Night Playbill is available at The Playbill Store.