The Avett Brothers’ SWEPT AWAY musical at Arena Stage

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/John-Gallagher-Jr-Stark-Sands-Adrian-Blake-Enscoe-Wayne-Duvall-to-Star-in-SWEPT-AWAY-at-Arena-Stage-20230623

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has revealed the principal cast for its fall/winter 2023 production of Swept Away. Reuniting from the 2022 Berkeley Repertory Theatre world premiere and making their Arena Stage debuts, Swept Away will star Tony Award® winner John Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening), Tony Award® nominee Stark Sands (Kinky Boots), Adrian Blake Enscoe (Dickinson), and Wayne Duvall (O Brother, Where Art Thou?).

Written by Tony Award® winner John Logan (Red, Moulin Rouge! The Musical), directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, American Idiot), with music and lyrics by "America's Biggest Roots Band" (Rolling Stone) The Avett Brothers, Swept Away will run November 25 – December 30, 2023, in the Kreeger Theater.

Berkeley Rep reviews and discussion thread: https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1127332

Updated On: 9/7/23 at 10:42 AM

When I see the title it makes me think it is an adaptation of the Madonna film

Michael Mayer could have 2 shows land on Broadway this season, SA and Chess!

Set in 1888, Swept Away follows four survivors—a young man in search of adventure (Enscoe), his big brother who has sworn to protect him (Sands), a captain at the end of a long career at sea (Duvall), and a worldly first mate who has fallen from grace (Gallagher)—after a violent storm sinks their whaling ship off the coast of New Bedford, Massachusetts. How far will they go to stay alive? And can they live with the consequences? Described as “reverberating all the way into your core” (San Francisco Chronicle), this electrifying, soul-stirring musical explores how facing tragedy can open the door to forgiveness, if only we’ll let it.

“We’re thankful to the many talented artists who’ve been a part of this show’s life since our world premiere at Berkeley Rep,” said Scott Avettof The Avett Brothers, “and we’re thrilled to welcome new shipmates for the D.C. leg of our voyage.”

Joining Duvall, Enscoe, Gallagher, and Sands onstage is a talented ensemble comprised of Hunter Brown (The Sound of Music National Tour), Matt DeAngelis (Broadway’s Waitress), Taurean Everett (Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Cameron Johnson (Broadway’s Into the Woods), Brandon Kalm (Broadway’s Waitress), Michael Mainwaring (Arena’s Smokey Joe's Café, Orville Mendoza (Broadway’s Peter and the Starcatcher), Tyrone L. Robinson (Broadway’s Frozen), John Sygar (Kennedy Center’s Look Both Ways), and Jamari Johnson Williams (Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud).

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Full-Cast-Creative-Team-Set-for-The-Avett-Brothers-SWEPT-AWAY-at-Arena-Stage-20230907

Updated On: 9/7/23 at 06:14 PM

I think this could prove to be an awards darling. Great merch/poster art. Could see this popping into Circle for a spring opening if all things are good in DC.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "That's really striking artwork.

Are they aiming for Spring 2024?"

yes

RippedMan said: "I think this could prove to be an awards darling. Great merch/poster art. Could see this popping into Circle for a spring opening if all things are good in DC."

Unless the staging, which features an interesting moment in the show, is changed, it’s not a Circle in the Square candidate.

RippedMan said: "The run in Cali seemed perfect for it given the size of the stage and the seating. But maybe it’s better for like the Nederlander."

Could this realistically run at the Golden? Or the Booth?

There was a picture from the Berkeley run that would make it a perfect fit at the circle but maybe things have changed in DC.

I’m hoping this finds a good-sized off Broadway venue to settle into. Very much hoping we get it this season. I suspect they won’t address any future plans until the DC production opens (or maybe not until after it closes).

Last I heard this is still aiming for the Spring but they are waiting for the Booth to become available...

I saw Swept Away at Berkeley Rep and really loved it.

For anyone who has seen the DC version, what's the song list? (And if anyone has seen both, I'd love to hear about the differences!)