Swept Away (musical)

Swept Away is a jukebox musical featuring the music of the Avett Brothers, primarily from the album Mignonette. The show's book is by John Logan. It premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2022 before moving to Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., where it ran from November 25 to January 14, 2024. It is scheduled to open on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre in late 2024.

The show follows four sailors, who are shipwrecked off the coast of New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1888. The story is drawn from the 1884 shipwreck which also inspired the Avett Brothers' album. The show is 90 minutes in total runtime with no intermission.

Development
The concept of a musical based on the music of the Avett Brothers was first raised in 2014, when theater producer Matthew Masten proposed the idea to the band's manager. The musical was announced to the public in 2019.

Plot
In the early 1900s, Mate, dying of tuberculosis, is tormented by the memories of his crewmates who died after a shipwreck 22 years earlier. The spirits encourage him to "tell the truth".

In 1888, Mate is a whaling crew member under the Captain. Seeking adventure, Little Brother joins the crew, and, after attempting to bring him back home to their family farm, Big Brother becomes stranded on the ship as well.

Though excited for the journey, Little Brother laments the love he left behind on land, Melody Anne. He and Mate grow closer, much to Big Brother's disdain. Big Brother tries to rally the crew in prayer, but his attempts are in vain. Though he and Little Brother disagree on their purpose and desires in life, they value their brotherhood and agree on the importance of family.

Soon after, the ship is struck by a storm and sinks. The entire crew dies in the wreckage, save for Mate, Captain, and the Brothers. After six days in a lifeboat with no food, water, or rain, Little Brother, severely injured after being crushed by the falling mast, dictates a letter to Melody Anne for Mate to transcribe. Captain, distraught at having allowed his crew to perish alone, and Big Brother, insistent that Little Brother will not die alone, also dictate letters to their loved ones. Mate, realizing he has no one to write to, reflects on what he has made of his life.

After sixteen days stranded at sea, the four are starving. Mate tells Captain that Little Brother will die soon anyway and that they should kill him in his sleep so the rest of them can have something to eat and drink. Captain refuses to make a decision, instead telling Mate that he is in charge now. Big Brother stops Mate from killing Little Brother, though Little Brother agrees that he will sacrifice himself after seeing one last sunrise. Big Brother concedes but insists that he will be the one to kill him, not Mate. When the time comes to make the sacrifice, however, Big Brother slits his own throat instead.

Mate struggles to continue the story, but is urged by the others to "make himself clean." Mate recounts how they all ate and drank from Big Brother's body. They were found by another ship shortly after, but the three never spoke of the incident again. Captain died three years after the incident, and Little Brother just one year ago, surrounded by Melody Anne and their children. With the confession of the truth, Mate completes the retelling of the story.

Songs
The show's music is primarily from the Avett Brothers' 2004 album Mignonette, but also features some songs from other albums. The show's opening number is an original creation for the musical.

Berkeley (2022)
Initially scheduled to premiere in June 2020, the show was delayed due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally saw its premiere in 2022. It was directed by Michael Mayer. and led by actors Wayne Duvall (Captain), Adrian Blake Enscoe (Little Brother), John Gallagher Jr. (Mate), and Stark Sands (Big Brother). The show's set was designed by Rachel Hauck. The premiere saw low attendance, attributed to a surge of the omicron variant of COVID-19.

Washington, D.C. (2023-2024)
The Arena Stage production, which ran from November 25, 2023 to January 14, 2024, saw much of the Berekley team return, including the four primary cast members. This production also saw the introduction of an ensemble, who mainly appeared only in the opening scenes prior to the shipwreck.

Broadway (2024)
The musical is set to open on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on November 19, 2024, following previews beginning on October 29. The show's arrangements and orchestrations are by Chris Miller and Brian Usifer (who is also the show'smusic supervisor). The show's creative team also includes Will Van Dyke (music director), Susan Hilferty (costume designer), Kevin Adams (lighting designer) and John Shivers (sound designer).

Reception
The Berkeley production of the show saw mixed reactions. Reviewers largely enjoyed the show's music and the actors' performances, but some felt the characterization was not thorough enough to deliver the emotional climax of the story.