Swept Away buzz

[binau]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 6:39am

Has anyone noticed that tickets do seem to be selling for this? Assuming they aren't hiding inventory. I have tried to research a little but I'm finding it difficult to understand the 'vibe' of the show - is this a pretentious artistic little show that could musical? (I.e. right up my ally). 

[inception]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 6:47am

It uses music of folk/alternative group The Avett Brothers who have a significant fan base.  It was inspired by their 2004 album Mignonette, which was based upon a true story of a shipwreck, so conceivable that a 20 year old album already has fans.  I know the band was in significant rotation on the alternative station here during the heyday of Mumford & Sons & similar groups.

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 8:14am

Apparently it is very dark. Read the reviews from DC to get a better idea. 

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 9:07am

With Logan’s extensive screen credits—having written everything from Gladiator and Star Trek: Nemesis to Scorsese films and James Bond sequels—it’s easy to forget that his roots are theatrical. No doubt those roots helped him adapt and streamline Sweeney Todd for Tim Burton’s film adaptation. As those credits reveal, quite a lot of his work results in several characters meeting a bloody demise. One is pressed to point this out because there’s little in the Rep’s promotional material to properly prepare the audience for the macabre turn the story takes in its latter half. Throughout most of the play’s roughly 90-min runtime, it’s a Steinbeck-esque old-fashioned tale of men doing manly work as they dream of something more. Then again, Steinbeck’s characters weren’t known for happy endings either.

https://48hills.org/2022/01/review-swept-away-bluegrass-shanties-on-high-seas-until-a-shocking-twist/

Updated On: 10/7/24 at 09:07 AM

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 9:13am

First time I heard of this musical I thought it was a musical adaptation of Madonna & Guy Ritchie's atrocious movie 'Swept Away'  lol

 

Not on my list of musicals to see this fall though 

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 9:15am

Not only dark - it was a bit of a slog in DC.  Very little humor or personality to draw you in and even the drama itself doesn't really have anywhere to go.

[TarHeelAlan]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 9:21am

Here's the behind-the-paywall Wash Post review of the show: 

“Swept Away,” a roots-rock musical now at Arena Stage, proves itself worthy of a Broadway voyage.
https://wapo.st/47YRMzD

FWIW, I saw the show here in DC, enjoyed it, and found the Post review to be pretty spot-on. Yes, the second act needed some work, but I would assume that's been happening since they committed to Broadway.

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 9:57am

binau said: "Has anyone noticed that tickets do seem to be selling for this? Assuming they aren't hiding inventory.."

No doubt blocking off a lot of orchestra seats for production, press and later sale.

I really don't see anything that supports the claim that this is selling. Some weekends aren't terrible, but most weeknights look rough. Even if it starts strong-ish thanks to the band's limited fanbase, there's no guarantee that those sales will continue. I can't say I'm super optimistic about most of this fall's new musicals, from a sales standpoint.

[yyys]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 9:58am

It's not a good jukebox musical for sure. The songs don't advance the plot. The acting is great but the actors need a little more character development.  The dark part comes at the end...

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 11:14am

pablitonizer said: "First time I heard of this musical I thought it was a musical adaptation of Madonna & Guy Ritchie's atrocious movie 'Swept Away' lol



Not on my list of musicals to see this fall though"

It's been a long time since I saw it, and maybe it does not hold up, but my memory of  the original version by Wertmuller is that her film was/is excellent. Didn't see the remake. 

 

[scripps]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 11:17am

I can only speak for myself, but I saw this in DC and was very underwhelmed. I however, am not a fan of this type of music. My very good and very straight friend is into this type of music scene and while he considers the Avett Brothers to be a little precious, he loves seafaring tales and might consider seeing this. His first and last Broadway show was The Full Monty in 2001 so yeah, I can see this attempting to market to the non traditional audience.

There are people who have already seen this multiple times across the country. I can't imagine sitting through this a second time, but if you want to see one of theater's next breakout stars, go for Adrian Blake Enscoe. Updated On: 10/7/24 at 11:17 AM

[inception]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 11:39am

It is difficult to know what will do well by looking at advance sales right now.  Even things like Lion King & Hamilton are showing very soft advance tickets sales when you look a couple months out.  People just aren't willing to buy much in advance any longer.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 12:13pm

inception said: "It is difficult to know what will do well by looking at advancesales right now. Even things like Lion King & Hamilton are showing very soft advance tickets sales when you look a couple months out. People just aren't willing to buy much in advance any longer."

Yeah, there’s no incentive to buy in advance for most of these titles.

Sometimes creatively it’s better to wait too. Like as much as I’m looking forward to GYPSY, I know early Wolfe previews can be rough and he’s someone who utilizes a preview period to hone the show. I'm planning to hold off until after Thanksgiving.

[sorano916]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 12:14pm

Have they announced any rush or lottery yet for Swept Away?

[binau]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 1:31pm

The first preview looks sold out. Even for the usual comps you’d expect it’s pretty unusual for shows these days without major celebrities to sell out first preview weeks in advance right? That’s why I suspect the limited orchestra avail early into the run might be real sales (but sometimes producers play a trick to make the premium tickets more appealing I think by hiding some of the seats around). Right now people are barely buying tickets in advance. That’s why it seems like some people are buying tickets. I’m just curious who and why. 
 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 1:41pm

If they market it right, this could have the same reception as The Outsiders. Or, this could have the same fate as Glory Days.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 2:29pm

Call_me_jorge said: "If they market it right, this could have the same reception as The Outsiders. Or, this could have the same fate as Glory Days."

The key difference being that THE OUTSIDERS opened in April. This will have to survive 6 months before the Tony nominations, including the dead of winter, alongside 7 other recently-opened musicals.

We lament the number of spring openings but some shows would have hugely different trajectories if they had opened in March or April. (I still think things could have been different for HERE LIES LOVE, but that could just be my passion speaking)

[gibsons2]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 2:34pm

binau said: "The first preview looks sold out. Even for the usual comps you’d expect it’s pretty unusual for shows these days without major celebrities to sell out first preview weeks in advance right? That’s why I suspect the limited orchestra avail early into the run might be real sales (but sometimes producers play a trick to make the premium tickets more appealing I think by hiding some of the seats around). Right now people are barely buying tickets in advance. That’s why it seems like some people are buying tickets. I’m just curious who and why."

This was one of the new upcoming shows for which I bought full price tickets (myself and my older teenager). I've been enamored so far by the marketing, art, music and yes, the cast. It's unusual to have an all male cast in any production nowadays so this alone makes this new musical standout. It seems like an interesting adventure, maybe even action story. I loved that someone used the "seafarer tale" definition. Again, looks like a safe show for family outing. The music is lovely too. Not the type that's ever on my playlist, but both of us are looking forward to listen to these songs accompanied by a Broadway orchestra. I personally have very high hopes.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 5:58pm

I’m in town first week in April. Any chance we see this show surviving till then?  I was really hoping to see it along with The Outsiders, Old Friends, Sunset Blvd. 

[j9mtobias]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 6:24pm

Saw it at the Arena Stage a week or 2 before it closed.  1 act musical.  Imagining they did a LOT of work to this to bring it to Broadway.  On the plus sides - (1) the leads were fantastic.  Glad to see them all transfer with the show.  John Gallagher really has that guilt ridden face down.  Stark Sands breaks you with desperation.  I liked the man who played his younger brother too.  (2)  I though the dancing they did (one big number) fit the theme of the show.  and fit the (3) staging & lighting.  (4) the harmonies were lovely.  I am not familiar with the Averett Brothers, but the theme of the music hit the mood of the show correctly.

On the delta side (1) already said that they needed to make adjustments.  (2) the sense of dread was palatable while they were drifting - you knew what was coming.... but the shock factor killed anything after.  (3) they will need to round out the cast.  The whole show is all men. Flushing out the end and showcasing life could help.  because (4) it is depressing and DARK.  cannibalism, sacrifice, alcoholism, death and disease.  Please bring in some light.

[inception]

Posted: 10/7/24 at 8:15pm

Some people will want spoilers on that last sentence 

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 10/8/24 at 12:03am

inception said: "Some people will want spoilers on that last sentence"

Honestly it just makes me wanna see it more

[JasonC3]

Posted: 10/8/24 at 6:26am

"Please bring in some light" reminded me of this classic Kramer line after he "won" a Tony:
https://youtu.be/iNp0-pCFeIk?si=wourOanNKqABKrXm&t=132

[somecheapfrenchthing]

Posted: 10/8/24 at 9:20am

I also saw this in DC and left underwhelmed. The lead performances were strong, but the show itself I found to be predictable and full of maritime cliches and some of the Avett Brother songs felt awkwardly inserted.  Not to mention the brief runtime made it hard to care deeply about the characters. Hopefully they’ve done a good amount of work on it.

[schubox]

Posted: 10/8/24 at 2:39pm

I was surprised by how well it was selling when I went to get tickets too. I figured I'd have pick of the theater but a lot were gone. We saw it in Berkeley and my wife lived it and wants to see it again. I liked it a lot, but thought the first half was much stronger than the second.