SWEPT AWAY Previews- Page 3

[inception]

Posted: 11/15/24 at 10:10am

I've been reading and re-reading Leaf Conybear's review trying to decide whether I want to stick with seeing this tomorrow.   Every serious show I've seen this week so far has boiled down to people making stupid decisions & suffering the consequences.   I can forgive the characters in The Outsiders since they are supposed to be only 14 years old, and at the end hopefully learn something from the experience. But in Great Gatsby, Subset Blvd, Hold On To Me Darling, even Trovatore - all the characters are stupid sh!tty people being dumb asses that  I find it hard to care about.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/15/24 at 3:02pm

Oy. I'm trying to temper my expectations for both this and Our Town.  Hoping I don't feel like its a weekend of disappointment.  I do have a friend that saw this last week, and surprisingly loved it - because she's usually a big song and dance kind of gal.   

 

Stiff upper lip and all!

[Skip23]

Posted: 11/15/24 at 10:54pm

 

I love a sweet, bizarre, tuneful, caring Broadway musical.  SWEPT AWAY is that musical.  Bravo!

 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/15/24 at 11:16pm

dramamama611 said: "Oy. I'm trying to temper my expectations for both this and Our Town. Hoping I don't feel like its a weekend of disappointment. I do have a friend that saw this last week, and surprisingly loved it - because she's usually a big song and dance kind of gal.
 

Swept Away is thin on book but we enjoyed it much more than Our Town, which we found extremely boring and poorly directed.

 

[Bonnie17]

Posted: 11/16/24 at 6:55am

I enjoyed the show very much.  Great songs, beautifully sung. Outstanding scenic design. John Gallagher Jr. commands the stage, but everyone holds their own. I hope it finds an audience, as it deserves to.  

[inception]

Posted: 11/16/24 at 9:26pm

I was worried by conflicting reports on this, but it is good. I think very good. The singing is just fantastic. Really beautiful voices.  The main 3 cast are very good.

It is a tragedy yes.  But so are many of the greatest works.  But it isn't all darkness.  It touches on themes of forgiveness, loyalty, and sacrifice. Sometimes a good cry can be cathartic. I dreaded what the end might bring, but it wasn't overly gory or salacious.

I had only heard one of the songs beforehand.  I liked most and hiw they were used.  If I had gone in blind, I don't think I would have realized that they weren't written for the show.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/17/24 at 11:16pm

theres alot to like here, and i am confused by the negative reports.

yes, the story is a simple one, i could summarize the whole thing in one sentence. yes, the music is all the same tone/feel, so its sorta blends together in a middling sort of way. i agree that the 95 minutes feels long, and theres nothing to cut, its just a slow burn. if this was meant to tell a real story, it does a poor job of conveying all the details. its a hazy tale, not a (more satisfying) news report.

but arent we meant to appreciate how a tale is told via stagecraft? how the space is used to tell a story that might otherwise be hard to depict? ill go ahead and say that the set here- theres a big reveal/change midway through the show--is one of the most impressive moments i have seen on a stage in a long time. and once that change takes place, the result is so simply but so beautifully done, that alone was worth the price of admission.  i hope/predict awards for whoever lit this, built this, designed this-- in the orchestra, you feel the wind blow, and you feel the stillness. Theres a choreographed shipwreck that took my breath away.

and the performances do the rest. Gallagher is doing a very odd accent that i would describe as Drunk Philly Sports Fan, and I hope that gets worked out because its the only flaw in a really solid performance. I havent seen Stark Sands on stage since American Idiot, and I forgot how cutting but soft his voice is. Both Gallagher and Sands sound incredible. Adrian Blake Escoe and Wayne Duvall are also both excellent; Escoe seems like an odd casting choice in some ways but has a beautiful voice and gives it his all. You could pick him and plop him into the Outsiders and no one would miss a beat.

This actually reminded me of the Outsiders a bit-- that has more of a story, sure, and this has a distinctly religious and very dark message. There is no warm fuzzy to go home with. But the voices and choreo and earnestness ring similar to what the Outsiders accomplished, and this feels like the more grown up production.  I am definitely glad I saw this, and would encourage those who genuinely appreciate stagecraft, for lack of a better term, to check it out, flaws and all.

Orchestra was packed. Because of the reviews here, we did TDF, and got rear center orchestra--which i would recommend, along with front mezzanine, The action takes place on another raised platform, and I think theres much to be gained from sitting back a bit to take it all in.

Updated On: 11/17/24 at 11:16 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 12:26am

I also was there tonight and I’m contending with a similar conflict.

Is the story simplistic? Yes. Is the story somewhat dour? Yes. Is the burn a little too slow for its own good? Yes. (Tonight ran from 8:02 to 9:48 ).

However, there were A LOT of magnificent parts here that I don’t think people should skip the show based on some aspects that, more than likely, aren’t getting changed. (Tonight was the final preview). The music was quite good and reminded me of a cross somewhere between “Bright Star” and “The Last Ship”. The ensemble is probably the most attractive group of salty seamen I’ve seen on stage and there’s quite a bit of, uh, homoeroticism(?) in the early half. Also, the stagecraft was absolutely gorgeous, including the shipwreck.

This may sound absolutely crazy, but I think based on what I’ve seen so far this season, John Gallagher Jr, is making a VERY strong case for a Tony nomination. He’s doing probably the most intense 95 minutes of vocal and acting work since “American Idiot” and that was over a decade ago. I thought going in that it was more of an ensemble effort, but Gallagher was the clear lead and, in a year with a thinner crowd of actors (compared to actresses), he is truly on fire here.

Funny Stage Door Anecdote: We all waited and everyone eventually came out - but with a twist. Apparently, Matt DeAngelis and some of the other cast were going to a bar after the show. About 25-30 minutes after he left, and The security saying they’ll come out but they have guests and it’ll be a while…Matt comes back and says to security “I thought we were all going to get drinks. I’m sitting at the bar waiting like an a***ole and they’re all probably still drinking back there!” Within about 5 minutes, everyone else came out and we were all amused as we were ready to wait and that was certainly a memorable moment 

Updated On: 11/18/24 at 12:26 AM

[binau]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 8:41am

I was also there and I do think there is a little bit of magic in the score and performances. If you can’t get into the music I don’t think you would ever enjoy this. I don’t think I fully ‘get’ it but this is a classic example of a little innovative little New York musical and I wish it well. 

[Anshel2]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 8:49am

I was very impressed with this show.  I had no issue with the music - in fact I enjoyed it very much.  Knew nothing about the music or the story going in.  I was immediately hooked!  Performances were all excellent and the staging was quite impressive.  And how about the Thor look-alike in the ensemble!  Wished he took his shoes off and made it to the lifeboat!

[willep]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 9:35am

There was plenty I really loved about this show and an equal amount that didn’t work for me. It needed a different book writer and only two of the four main actors worked for me. The physical production and the staging I loved. The music I mostly really enjoyed; I wasn’t familiar with the Avett Brothers or any of their music beforehand so there were some songs that felt like they were just from their catalog and were shoehorned in.

I was certainly never bored as other people were.

Updated On: 11/18/24 at 09:35 AM

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 9:59am

This show isn't for everyone, but I think aside from the subject matter, people are having issues with the tonal change that happens without an intermission to re-set. The front end of the show is more jovial and music-heavy, and is truly an ensemble piece. Halfway through that changes to something that feels more like a play with music and centers on 4 main characters. Without getting up from your seat, you have to switch your attitude and the way you view the show, and I think that's going to be difficult for some people to like.  But I really think you have to watch the back half as if it is a play and you really get some really great acting work from JGJ, especially, and Stark Sands. JGJ, throughout, is really strong and I think absolutely deserves a tony nomination. He is also on stage from before the house opens to the end of the show with maybe 2 minutes off stage the entire time, but probably not even that.

Design-wise, this show is really strong. The set is very strong (though it probably sits up too high for the first few rows) and as other people have pointed out, there are small details like wind blowing through the house that adds to the experience in a way that is unique. Costumes are strong and lighting does its job, but the sound is the real star - it's crystal-clear and is one of the best sounding shows on Broadway.

The band is also really great. Brian Usifer has done an amazing, amazing job with orchestrations, and the musicians are just top tier. 

No, the show is not going to be for everyone. I can absolutely see how people may, on the surface, feel like not enough is happening, but I think you're asking a musical-loving audience to turn into the same audience that would go to "Our Town" mid-act, and that may not be the easiest thing. But there are absolutely wonderful things happening in that theater, even if your overall takeaway is that it wasn't for you. I think it's definitely worth seeing even if it's not your favorite thing at the end of the day.  For me, everything works. Also, I was not an Avett Brothers fan or follower before this show, and I have to say I really enjoy some of their music now. 

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 12:31pm

My problem with the show in DC was that the mid-show tonal shift is pretty much the only thing to happen.  Everything else seemed so static.  The characters were so broadly drawn as to not have much in the way of a meaningful arc and the plot itself is not enough to carry an hour and a half.  The music is wonderfully performed but also tends to blur together without much to hang it on.

[willep]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 12:51pm

Mr.Liir said: "…you really get some really great acting work from JGJ, especially, and Stark Sands. JGJ, throughout, is really strong and I think absolutely deserves a tony nomination. He is also on stage from before the house opens to the end of the show with maybe 2 minutes off stage the entire time, but probably not even that."

I agree with most of what you say, but unfortunately JGJ was one of the performances that just didn’t work for me. His character had the most room for development (22 years of it), yet there was zero. He was just as drunken and incoherent on day one as he was after the incident.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 1:05pm

A December 22 closing is being floated around.

[inception]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 2:54pm

WTF is wrong when the good shows have as much trouble staying open as the turkeys?

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 2:57pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "A December 22 closing is being floated around."

Dude what's with you and spreading all these closing dates - MHE you said was 12/1 which is 2 weeks from today???

Where are you hearing this btw? Btw, when's Tammy closing?

Updated On: 11/18/24 at 02:57 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 2:59pm

Robbie2 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "A December 22 closing is being floated around."

Dude what's with you and spreading all these closing dates - MHE you said was 12/1 which is 2 weeks from today???

Where are you hearing this btw? Btw, when's Tammy closing?"

December 1 

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 3:25pm

No it's not (re: closing date). Stop spreading bullsh*t. 

Updated On: 11/18/24 at 03:25 PM

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 3:26pm

I don't know. I've seen it three times between DC and Broadway and I think he's really doing great. Maybe he had an off day?

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 4:18pm

Robbie2 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "A December 22 closing is being floated around."

Dude what's with you and spreading all these closing dates - MHE you said was 12/1 which is 2 weeks from today???

Where are you hearing this btw? Btw, when's Tammy closing?"

That poster is one of the biggest pessimists and doomers I've ever encountered in my life. If they're predicting something is closing on a certain date, you can always add at least a few weeks, potentially a few months. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 4:20pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "A December 22 closing is being floated around."

 

Would you give it a rest already?  You've been spreading rumors about closing dates on THREE shows -- and you are wrong on all of them.  GAFL

Updated On: 11/18/24 at 04:20 PM

[willep]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 4:49pm

I don’t imagine an off day would change his entire character choice. I’m glad it worked for you, it just didn’t for me and that’s fine!

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 5:07pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "A December 22 closing is being floated around."

where?

inside your head?

time to get a life!

as they say:

those who can, do

those who cant, end up like this guy

 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 11/18/24 at 8:01pm

Swept Away' Writer John Logan on Avett Brothers Musical

https://variety.com/2024/legit/news/swept-away-writer-john-logan-broadway-musical-cannibalism-michael-movie-1236212949/