SWEPT AWAY Broadway Reviews- Page 2

[Voter]

Posted: 11/19/24 at 11:33pm

Would someone be so kind as to post a gift link to the NYTimes review?

[akhoya87]

Posted: 11/19/24 at 11:35pm

NYT Gift Link here:  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/arts/swept-away-review-avett-brothers.html?unlocked_article_code=1.bU4.ilHp.XzA6sAaDIOMX&smid=url-share

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/19/24 at 11:54pm

DTLI Consensus: If darker musicals tickle your fancy, and if you don’t mind perhaps a bit of rough water structure-wise, you might as well set sail to the Longacre Theatre.

8 mixed, 6 positive (including the NYT), 1 negative.

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/swept-away/

Updated On: 11/19/24 at 11:54 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/19/24 at 11:55pm

The Times really sang Gallagher’s praises though.

“Gallagher, as the Mate, given the chance to create a huge and complicated character, grabs it hungrily. Bothering a janky tooth, wiggling around like a worm, he is twinkly, seedy, charming, lost. It’s the kind of performance that great musicals require and that can make merely good ones riveting.”
 

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/arts/swept-away-review-avett-brothers.html?unlocked_article_code=1.bU4.3V4H.Vh8pGG-o7Cx_&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 12:32am

PipingHotPiccolo said: "easily the best reviewed new musical of the season thus far... such a shame that, according to some on these boards, the show is closing anyway in a weeks lol"

Incorrect. That would be MHE. 

[BJR]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 1:36am

Between the shipwreck in this and the design elements in MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, this season has some exciting have-to-be-there moments.

[inception]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 7:29am

I think I agree that the show could have used a bit more length to flesh a few more things out.

I kept wishing for a scene like in all the movies about Sailors I watch online where maybe Little Brother goes jogging, and then pulls a muscle, and then Mate is like "here let me help you out & give you a nice massge" & then "No wonder you're so tense, those shorts are too tight, let's just get you out of those" etc etc. Has Mr. Logan never seen  William Higgins' classic "Sailor in the Wild?"

I'm making a dumb joke, but the Adam Driver play Hold On To Me Darling actually has a massage bait seduction scene where Driver gets down to his drawers.  Tragically he's being given that massage by a female. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 8:22am

Reviews ended up being fairly decent. Hopefully this can survive through the holidays and run longer than Tammy Faye. Would really suck to have three major flops back-to-back (this, Tammy Faye and Maybe Happy Ending).

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 8:31am

ACL2006 said: "Reviews ended up being fairly decent. Hopefully this can survive through the holidays and run longer than Tammy Faye. Would really suck to have three major flops back-to-back (this, Tammy Faye and Maybe Happy Ending)."

This show is too dark and sophisticated for today’s audiences, and they lack a major celebrity in the cast. A mid-December closing is the best option for Swept Away.

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 8:40am

MemorableUserName said: "Two stars from NY Post

‘Swept Away’ review: Strange Broadway shipwreck show has pretty folk songs — and cannibalism

https://nypost.com/2024/11/19/entertainment/swept-away-review-broadway-shipwreck-has-folk-songs-and-cannibalism/

"Rarely do I suggest that any show be longer than it already is, but 90 minutes is an awfully condensed span to go from boarding to blood-thirst. ""
 

u missed quoting the best part of this review:

Then, in the last 20 minutes, when talk turns to who among them should be cooked for dinner, ticket-buyers start to reconsider that post-show reservation at Joe Allen. The liver there is absolutely delicious, but “Swept Away” will have you searching “vegan.”

 

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 8:45am

EDSOSLO858 said: "ACL2006 said: "Reviews ended up being fairly decent. Hopefully this can survive through the holidays and run longer than Tammy Faye. Would really suck to have three major flops back-to-back (this, Tammy Faye and Maybe Happy Ending)."

This show is too dark and sophisticated for today’s audiences, and they lack a major celebrity in the cast. A mid-December closing is the best option forSwept Away."

 

Reviews were not that great either. It's more in the mixed world so I don't see this show lasting for that long with us

[keen on kean]

Posted: 11/20/24 at 11:12am

What this show does have is fans of the Avett Brothers, a group of people who may not go to Broadway all that often, if at all. When I attended, the audience skewed much younger than I have seen generally, even in shows where there was a star with an established fanbase, like Groban.

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 11/22/24 at 6:55am

its difficult for shows like this one to catch on

the basic question still remains

who is the audience for this?

the subject matter is dark and the book isnt clever enough to add dimension

the production values are fine enough but lack anything compelling

the songs are good but the mediocre musical arrangements add nothing to what the avett brothers can already give you

the word meh comes to mind and that aint gonna cut it on broadway these days

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/22/24 at 9:57pm

I had the chance to see this again tonight and since i didn’t have anything else to do, why not. And let me say that only a handful of times in my life have I ever seen something and really disliked it only to see it again and have the opposite reaction. I can’t tell you why but I truly enjoyed this tonight. I think I ended my little review of it here by saying I wouldn’t recommend it to people but I would like to amend that and say I will be recommending it. 
 

There was also a medical emergency about 15 mins before the end and the four just sat in that boat for about ten minutes with the house lights on. With that grid as a floor covering the stage I guess it’s not so easy to just get out and walk into the wings. I hope the person who needed help was ok. Been a long time since I’ve heard an audience member scream “STOP THE SHOW!” Scary stuff. 

[BJR]

Posted: 11/22/24 at 11:26pm

Quite remarkable you gave it another chance. And how wonderful it paid off.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 11/22/24 at 11:30pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I had the chance to see this again tonight and since i didn’t have anything else to do, why not. And let me say that only a handful of times in my life have I ever seen something and really disliked it only to see it again and have the opposite reaction. I can’t tell you why but I truly enjoyed this tonight. I think I ended my little review of it here by saying I wouldn’trecommend it to people but I would like to amend that and say I will be recommending it.


There was also a medical emergency about 15 mins before the end and the four just sat in that boat for about ten minutes with the house lights on. With that grid as a floor covering the stage I guess it’s not so easy to just get out and walk into the wings. I hope the person who needed help was ok. Been a long time since I’ve heard an audience member scream “STOP THE SHOW!” Scary stuff."

I was there too tonight. Sat close enough to the person in distress, not realizing it was her making noises that I thought were coming from outside... hope she's OK.

As to the musical itself,  it's certainly very unique. From all male cast to the non typical Broadway theater music and orchestrations. Beautiful, simple but dramatic and effective stage sets and lightning that deserves a recognition. Interesting,  unusual musical fable.

Updated On: 11/22/24 at 11:30 PM

[keen on kean]

Posted: 11/23/24 at 8:53am

I am looking forward to seeing it a second time because the music was all new to me and not a genre I usually appreciate. Now that I know (and really like) the Avett Brothers, I want to pay more attention to the story itself. I loved it the first time.

And I am frankly stunned at reviews that say there isn't enough story there. For me, it was just like Billy Budd: men at sea for long periods form a kind of family, with all the love and hate and turmoil that involves. The book has its flaws, but it is a tight, tense story. Why pad it to add time and/or more songs? And the suggestion that there should be an intermission was ludicrous. Time to go to the bar and have a drink and relax just when tragedy strikes?

[brodynky]

Posted: 11/23/24 at 2:11pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I had the chance to see this again tonight and since i didn’t have anything else to do, why not. And let me say that only a handful of times in my life have I ever seen something and really disliked it only to see it again and have the opposite reaction. I can’t tell you why but I truly enjoyed this tonight. I think I ended my little review of it here by saying I wouldn't recommend it to people but I would like to amend that and say I will be recommending it.

Jordan, for some reason this made my day! I saw Swept Away in DC and l loved it, and I knew it was one if the shows you were most looking forward to seeing. I always say to each their own, but was taken aback a bit by your intense negative reaction to the show the first time. I did wonder if seeing it a day or two after the election had soured your mood (LOL) as it’s not exactly light entertainment. So glad to hear you appreciated this show much more upon second viewing…and took the time to post your thoughts  again.  I think it’s such a very different and beautiful piece of theater, and I’m really looking forward to making a trip to NYC next month to see it again! 
 

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/23/24 at 5:18pm

Much like Jordan Catalano, I also left the show on Sunday a bit mixed, but curious enough to give it another shot. Since I saw the final preview, there were no fundamental changes.

Honestly, this is one of those shows that will cater to very specific tastes and not the usual bridge-and-tunnel people, and so I don’t think it has as long a run as I hope it does. But I think time will definitely be kind to this musical and I’m rooting for it in the same way I’m rooting for Maybe Happy Ending - original and challenging new projects.

Also, unless another musical leading actor comes along to impress me, I’m putting all of my chips on John Gallagher Jr. for at least a nomination. I would also love them to petition Adrian Blake McEnroe to featured so they have a fighting chance too.

Updated On: 11/23/24 at 05:18 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/23/24 at 8:07pm

Saw this at the matinee, loved it. For me Gallagher and Enscoe were outstanding. I thought the stage craft was terrific, and the lighting sublime.

 

It's not for everyone, certainly.

[scripps]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 4:12am

I was at the matinee too. I still have reservations concerning the book but there's enough negativity out there, so let's focus on some positives: Adrian is a STAR (if he wants it; his band is involved in some interesting projects of their own right now). I unabashedly love the Captain's song. The shipwreck sequence is very cool, I was really impressed by the wind effect! 

My tix were via TDF: row H house right orch. Excellent view.

[Sytwix]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 8:09am

Voter said: "Would someone be so kind as to post a gift link to the NYTimes review?"

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/arts/swept-away-review-avett-brothers.html?unlocked_article_code=1.cU4.10yU.u6hZmbOatBy2&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Updated On: 11/24/24 at 08:09 AM

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 11/24/24 at 10:42am

Adrian’s band was writing the What’s Eating Gilbert Grape musical with Peter Hedges, which has been paused a bit due to his Swept Away involvement. I heard it was really great.

[justherehanging]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 7:49am

Swept Away was an interesting experience. Based on the music of The Avett Brothers (whom I wasn’t very familiar with), the blending of the cast’s voices was incredible. The music had a raw, emotional depth, and the performances were top-notch. That said, the overall tone of the show was quite somber and, at times, depressing. It wasn’t the easiest watch, and I’m not sure I’d recommend it for someone visiting New York for a short time, especially if you’re looking for something more upbeat. But it was certainly unique and unlike anything I’ve seen before, even if the subject matter (cannibalism!) was a bit jarring.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 11/25/24 at 1:31pm

Caught the matinee of this yesterday and I liked it more than I expected, though I think a huge part of that really just has to do with the Avett Brothers score.  The beginning was really promising to me and although the songs didn't fit completely seamlessly into the scenes, I thought they did a good job creating an overall atmosphere and setting up the characters.  Where I felt that it dragged was in the lifeboat.  It seemed like a lot of listless drifting in circles (sometimes literally) and then suddenly an argument popped up, which I think would've had more weight if we were given some more insight into how the characters were interacting and coping with each other on the lifeboat to begin with (though I thought Through My Prayers was used very effectively as a song).  And I'm not sure I fully bought the ending and the way everything was tied up--I probably would've preferred to see some of those scenes played out rather than narrated and it just seemed a little abrupt after so much time dragged out on the lifeboat.

That said, I thought the two brothers were the most interesting characters.  Stark Sands was doing some great background acting/reacting and Adrian Blake McEnroe got the closest to creating a character I actually cared about.  And I think that's the crux of the issue--the show seems to want to frame itself as a morality tale but in doing so makes the characters feel as if they're being held at an arm's length.  There are broad strokes of tropes in each character but no specificity that really let me connect with them or feel invested in their journey.

I had row C center orchestra seats and I was concerned about how high the stage deck was, but we never missed anything because while you did have to look upwards, all the scenes on the ship are done in a way that you can basically see everyone from torso upwards, and then in the lifeboat we had a pretty perfect view (aided by the mirror as well).  It would've been nice to be farther back but for a lottery ticket it was fantastic.