“[The Avett Brother’] chanteys, stomps and lullabies are rousing and soothing and subtly placed … [Director Michael] Mayer’s staging is exemplary, keeping the action varied and supple … I was fully entertained and harrowed.”

-The New York Times, Critic’s Pick

“Stunning… a show that will blow you away.” 

- The Wrap

“Enthralling… a taut and captivating new folk musical featuring the gorgeous songs of the roots-rock group The Avett Brothers and an impeccable cast headed by John Gallagher Jr. and Stark Sands.” 

- Deadline

“Swept Away is a musical that will keep viewers on their toes until its final moments… The powerful performances and message of brotherhood and sacrifice will stick with you long afterward.” 

- Entertainment Weekly

“Swept Away is an anomalous Broadway musical: refreshingly modest in scale but suffused with an ambitious desire to expand the possibilities of the form.”

- The Wall Street Journal

November 20, 2024: Swept Away, the new Broadway musical featuring the music of the beloved folk-rock band The Avett Brothers, opened last night at the Longacre Theatre to a roaring standing ovation. The Avett Brothers joined the cast on stage for a special curtain call performance of the show’s title track. 

The production incorporates songs from The Avett Brothers’ 2004 album, Mignonette, and others in their catalogue, plus one new song - “Lord Lay Your Hand on My Shoulder” - written by Seth Avett expressly for the production. The principal cast members, reprising their roles from the show’s previous sold-out and critically acclaimed runs at Berkeley Repertory in 2022 and Washington DC’s Arena Stage in 2023, include Tony Award winner John Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening), Tony Award nominee Stark Sands (Kinky Boots), Adrian Blake Enscoe (Apple TV+’s Dickinson), and Wayne Duvall (1984). On Friday, November 22, The Avett Brothers will again join the Swept Away principals for a performance on NBC’s Today Show.

The anticipated Broadway debut of Swept Away is the latest in a highlight-filled year for The Avett Brothers. In May, they released their first new album in five years, The Avett Brothers - now a Grammy nominee for Best Recording Package - followed by an extensive US tour and appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBS Saturday Morning, NPR's All Things Considered, and more. Just last week, The Avett Brothers were presented with The North Carolina Award - their home state’s highest honor - by Gov. Roy Cooper.

For more information on Swept Away please see below and visit https://sweptawaymusical.com/. 

About Swept Away

From the chart-topping folk-rock band The Avett Brothers comes “a spellbinding tale” (The Washington Post) of shipwreck, salvation and brotherhood set on the high seas.

An odyssey of “mythic proportions” (San Francisco Chronicle), Swept Away features a book by Tony Award® winner John Logan (Red, Moulin Rouge! The Musical), direction by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, American Idiot) and choreography by Tony Award nominee David Neumann (Hadestown).

The Swept Away ensemble includes Josh Breckenridge, Hunter Brown, Matt DeAngelis, Cameron Johnson, Brandon Kalm, Rico LeBron, Michael J. Mainwaring, Orville Mendoza, Chase Peacock, Tyrone L. Robinson, David Rowen and John Sygar. Swings include John Michael Finley and Robert Pendilla.

The Swept Away creative team includes Tony Award-winning set designer Rachel Hauck, Tony Award-winning costume designer Susan Hilferty, four-time Tony Award-winning lighting designer Kevin Adams, Tony Award-winning sound designer John Shivers, music arranger & orchestrator Chris Miller, music arranger & orchestrator/music supervisor Brian Usifer, music director Will Van Dyke, and casting director Jim Carnahan, Jillian Cimini, and Alexandre Bleau, CSA.

Swept Away is produced on Broadway by Matthew Masten, Sean Hudock and Madison Wells Live. Wagner Johnson Productions serve as Executive Producers.