Swept Away

 Swept Away
Longacre Theatre
December 28, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Swept Away

The Broadway production of Swept Away is a beautiful telling of a harrowing tale.   John Logan’s book cuts to the heart.  The music and lyrics by the Avett Brothers run the gamut from foot stomping fun to tender, spiritually moving ballads.  Director Michael Mayer approaches the challenges of this unique musical with creativity and perspective that grips the soul and engages every emotion.  This new musical is closing way too soon.  

Mate (played by John Gallagher, Jr.) is haunted on his deathbed by the ghosts of three of his shipmates.  They urge him to tell their story.  He resists, and finally gives in.  It is the year 1888.  A whaling vessel is ready to set sail, but one crew member is missing.  Little Brother (played by Adrian Blake Enscoe) rushes in, ready for his first big adventure.  He is followed by Big Brother (played by Stark Sand), who is trying to convince him to return home to their farm.  While they are engrossed in their argument, Captain (played by Wayne Duvall) orders the gangplank to be removed so the ship can set sail.  Big Brother is now trapped with Little Brother, embarking on a journey he had no intention of joining.  The brothers continue to argue for days, but it is useless.  They are at sea.  When the ship hits a storm, all the crew are lost, except Mate, Captain, Big Brother, and Little Brother.  They are adrift in a lifeboat, where they will remain for over twenty days with no food or water.  As Little Brother lays dying, they make the only decision that will keep the remaining three alive. 

Photo courtesy of Swept Away

The first half of this musical is full of discovery, comradery, and conflict aboard the whaling vessel.  The choreography, by David Neumann, creates relationships among the hardy crew, builds tension between the characters, and keeps the action moving at a brisk pace.  Mr. Neumann works closely with scenic designer, Rachel Hauck to magnificently depict the sinking of the ship.  It is a gripping and stunning enactment.  

Photo courtesy of Swept Away

The second half takes place in the lifeboat, and the tone dramatically shifts.  The four main actors (Adrian Blake Enscoe, Stark Sand, Wayne Duvall, and John Gallagher, Jr,) keep the audience fully engaged.  Mr. Mayer brilliantly spins the lifeboat in different directions to transition the perspective.  The climax of the action is a heart wrenching twist, which allows the rest of the story to fall gracefully to its conclusion.  Forgiveness, comfort, and redemption are shared among these characters.  It is an honorable ending to a tragic story. 

Swept Away announced an abrupt closing date shortly after it opened at the Longacre Theatre.  The closing was extended for two weeks to December 29.  At this time, there is no notice of it being extended again, which is highly unfortunate.  It is a unique and brilliant piece of theatre.  Its closing is a tremendous loss to the Broadway season. 

Domenick Danza