The musical Swept Away, featuring songs by The Avett Brothers, earned enthusiastic reviews during its debut at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in early 2022. Its current run at Arena Stage in D.C. is generating similar acclaim, raising hopes for a potential move to Broadway. The production boasts a talented cast and crew with a combined total of nine Tony Awards, adding to the anticipation of its potential Broadway journey.
Starring acclaimed performers such as Tony Award winner John Gallagher, Jr., Adrian Blake Enscoe, and Tony-nominated actor Stark Sands, Swept Away initially premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The musical’s origin traces back to the early 2000s when Scott Avett, inspired by Neil Hanson’s book “The Custom of the Sea,” envisioned a cohesive story for The Avett Brothers’ 2004 album “Mignonette.”
Hanson’s book recounts the harrowing tale of a shipwreck off the African coast in 1884, where the “custom of the sea” allowed sacrificing one individual to save the rest. Captain Tom Dudley’s truthful admission of this act led to his trial for murder, as the British government sought to outlaw the custom. Avett found inspiration in Dudley’s honesty amid the inevitable suffering it caused.
The Avett Brothers’ album “Mignonette” became the foundation for the musical, although some narrative adjustments were made. The story centers around a whaling ship sinking off the coast of New Bedford, Mass., with characters like the “Mate” proposing the sacrifice of an ailing crew member. Unlike Captain Dudley, the Mate is irreligious and acknowledges a sinful life, singing “Satan Pulls The Strings.” Conversely, the character Big Brother is deeply religious, performing the Avetts’ original song for the show, “Lord Lay Your Hand On My Shoulder.”
Renowned writer John Logan, known for works like “Skyfall” and “Gladiator,” collaborated to craft the narrative from The Avett Brothers’ songs, delving into themes of redemption and forgiveness. Logan expressed the hope that Swept Away prompts audiences to reflect on their actions in challenging situations, asking, “What would you do if you were one of these four men in this lifeboat after 21 days?”
Adrian Blake Enscoe, who plays Little Brother, highlighted the Avett Brothers’ catalog’s suitability for exploring morality, mortality, and the struggle between darkness and light. Scott Avett, witnessing the production, marveled at the cast’s singing prowess, acknowledging their superior control.
In Swept Away, Stark Sands, portraying Big Brother, emphasized the relevance of the musical’s themes of facing the truth and seeking forgiveness in the current societal context. Sands noted that some people avoid confronting the past and acknowledging the nation’s and humanity’s historical wrongs. The Mate’s character, haunted by his admitted misdeeds, undergoes a journey of acknowledging and vocalizing his actions.
For John Logan, Swept Away promotes empathy for all, including those who have sinned. The sentiment “Nothing that is human is alien to me” serves as a guiding principle, resonating with the exploration of human experiences in the musical.
