The Avett Brothers musical “Swept Away” has announced a Broadway engagement. The production will begin previews on the Main Stem this fall at a Shubert theater to be announced. The Avett Brothers made the announcement live from the stage at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York, on May 17. Following the Broadway announcement, cast members from both mountings joined the band onstage to perform the title song.
“Swept Away” debuted at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2022 prior to a run at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., in 2023. The musical tells the story of the crew of a whaling ship doing all they can to survive a shipwreck. The show is inspired by the real-life 1884 shipwreck of a British yacht known as the Mignonette; a 2004 album by the Avett Brothers named “Mignonette” was also inspired by the wreck.
The musical features a book by Tony Award winner John Logan and a score of songs by the Avett Brothers (most of which are from “Mignonette” with the addition of songs from other albums as well as some original tunes for the musical). Tony winner Michael Mayer will direct the musical, which will feature choreography by Tony nominee David Neumann, music supervision by Brian Usifer (who will also provide arrangements and orchestrations) and music direction by Will Van Dyke.
The creative team will also include co-music arranger and c0-orchestrator Chris Miller, Tony-winning set designer Rachel Hauck, Tony-winning costume designer Susan Hilferty, Tony-winning lighting designer Kevin Adams and Tony-winning sound designer John Shivers.
Casting, by Jim Carnahan, Jillian Cimini and Alexandre Bleau, will be announced.
“Swept Away” is being produced by Matthew Masten, Sean Hudock and Madison Wells Live. Wagner Johnson Productions will serve as executive producer.
