Swept Away

(Photo: Emilio Madrid)

By Fern Siegel (posted 11/20/24)

Swept Away tells the gripping story of men fighting to survive after a devastating 1888 shipwreck, based on a true story.

Now on Broadway at the Longacre Theater, the production pulls you into the emotional highs and lows of the characters. The story’s intensity is matched by strong performances from the cast, who bring raw emotion to every scene. John Logan’s writing balances the harsh realities of survival with moments of tenderness.

The show explores themes of sacrifice and the strength of human connection, all set to the music of the Avett Brothers. Much of the musical’s score, arranged by Chris Miller, is drawn from Mignonette, their 2004 album inspired by a 19th-century shipwreck.

The massive set piece, a large whaling ship, is stunningly versatile, transforming from a functional vessel into a fragmented, haunting symbol of the characters’ peril. Wooden beams and ropes creak and shift, capturing the precariousness of life at sea. Scenic designer Rachel Hauck, lighting designer Kevin Adams and sound designer John Shivers neatly heighten the drama and tension.

Key cast members, John Gallagher Jr. Stark Sands, Adrian Blake Enscoe and Wayne Duvall, deliver singular performances as men on the edge of obliteration.

While the second half of the show feels a bit slow and, given the story line, extremely dark compared to the captivating opening numbers, it gives space for deeper reflection on the men’s struggles and choices in the face of brutal adversity. Swept Away is a moving show that goes beyond a survival story, thanks to Michael Mayer’s thoughtful direction and David Neumann’s choreography.

Running 90 minutes without intermission, Swept Away is a searing, memorable tale of what people will do to protect each other and themselves in the face of unimaginable odds.