'Swept Away' review — a seaworthy new musical
Read our review of Swept Away on Broadway, an original musical featuring a score by the folk rock band The Avett Brothers playing at the Longacre Theatre.
There’s an undeniable energy in firsts and lasts. Swept Away tells the story of the final voyage of a whaling ship bound for the scrapyard, and the maiden voyage of a young crewman setting sail for the first time. It also marks the folk rock band The Avett Brothers' Broadway debut — and the journey is well worth taking.
The musical, directed by Michael Mayer and with a book by John Logan, draws inspiration from the band’s 2004 concept album Mignonette, with the song “Swept Away” as its anchor. The album and musical tell the harrowing story of four survivors of an 1888 shipwreck near New Bedford, Massachusetts.
The Avetts' musical style — rich with banjos, acoustic guitars, and harmonies — is akin to the rhythmic energy of a toe-tapping sea shanty. Their songs' themes of brotherhood, faith, and redemption align with the camaraderie and high hopes of sailors at sea.
However, while the musical builds on Mignonette, a few songs from the band’s broader catalog, including "Murder in the City," feel forced into the plot, perhaps due to an underdeveloped narrative. At just 90 minutes, the musical builds excitement, but the characters are left with little time for backstory or growth. The lengths the survivors go to in order to stay alive would carry even more emotional weight if their relationships aboard the ship were more fully developed. Adding a second act would give the characters more time to navigate their relationships.
What keeps the show afloat are the stellar performances. As Mate, the captain’s (Wayne Duvall) second-in-command, John Gallagher Jr. (Spring Awakening) commands the stage with charisma and a devilish grin. He captivates the audience with a powerhouse performance of the song “Satan Pulls the Strings.”
Adrian Blake Enscoe and Stark Sands are equally wonderful as a pair of brothers on the ship. Their bright voices and beautiful harmonies offer a tender contrast to their characters' harsh lives.
Swept Away summary
Swept Away opens in a hospital ward, where Mate lies on his deathbed. The ghosts of past crew members urge him to share the story of their time at sea — and to forgive himself for the sins he committed on the ocean.
The story flashes back two decades to follow the farewell voyage of a whaling ship and the close-knit crew aboard. Among the shipmates are the wide-eyed Little Brother (Enscoe), seeking adventure before settling down on a farm with his love, and Big Brother (Sands), who tries to bring his younger sibling home but gets stranded on the ship. Soon, the crew enters unchartered waters after the ship struggles through a storm, and the few survivors must fight for their lives.
What to expect at Swept Away
The musical’s design is truly transportive. Scenic designer Rachel Hauck transforms the Longacre Theatre stage into a three-masted whaling ship, while the immersive seascape is brought to life with squawking seagulls and the sound of ship bells, crafted by sound designer John Shivers.
Lighting designer Kevin Adams conjures a storm with his dynamic lighting. Most impressively, a literal gust of wind sweeps through the audience when the ship is defeated by the storm.
Swept Away runs 90 minutes with no intermission.
What audiences are saying about Swept Away
As of publication, Swept Away has an audience approval rating of 81% on the aggregator site Show-Score, with reviews mostly praising the performances and music.
- “Stellar cast with such good music. The scenic design is also stunning. I was in fact swept away.” - Show-Score user Gillian Brown 7
- “There are some beautiful moments here - the singing is great, and as an Avett Brothers fan I enjoyed the music, though some of the songs felt shoehorned in. The staging is innovative. I struggled a lot with the book, which really did not work for me, and with some of the acting choices. The ending was not for me.” - Show-Score user ecamp
- “The show had quite a few good moments, including a shipwreck scene that was technically impressive although a bit short. The characters are somewhat underdeveloped, but the story is still engaging, and the climax is memorable. The show is worth seeing.” - Show-Score user MaxD
Read more audience reviews of Swept Away on Show-Score.
Who should see Swept Away
- Fans of the Avett Brothers, particularly the band’s 2004 concept album Mignonette, will be interested how the album's story of a shipwreck and the survival of its crew translates to the stage.
- Audiences who enjoyed Tony Award winner Michael Mayer’s direction of Funny Girl, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Spring Awakening, and Little Shop of Horrors will want to catch his latest musical.
- People who enjoy folk and bluegrass music will appreciate the Avetts' musical style.
Learn more about Swept Away on Broadway
Swept Away is a new musical featuring songs by The Avett Brothers, with a strong score and a book that's not quite as deep as the ocean.
Photo credit: Swept Away on Broadway. (Photos by Emilio Madrid)
Originally published on