“Swept Away” is a new Broadway musical that offers a unique twist on the typical shipwreck story, featuring stunning visuals and folk songs by the Avett Brothers. The show, which runs for 90 minutes without an intermission at the Longacre Theatre, follows the harrowing tale of a group of sailors who are stranded at sea and ultimately resort to cannibalism to survive.
The protagonist, Mate, played by John Gallagher Jr., is haunted by the memories of his past and is urged by the ghosts of his former companions to reveal their gruesome story. The characters, including Captain, Little Brother, and Brother, are quickly introduced with basic descriptions and limited time for development.
While the first half of the musical features lively songs and camaraderie among the sailors, the tone shifts dramatically in the second half as their situation becomes more dire. The set design by Rachel Hauck effectively conveys the stormy sea and the isolation of the lifeboat, although some critics find it lacking in visual interest compared to other productions.
Despite the dark subject matter, the actors deliver strong performances, particularly Adrian Blake Enscoe as Little Brother, whose heartfelt singing stands out. As the sailors face starvation and desperation, the audience is left to ponder the moral dilemmas presented in the story.
Overall, “Swept Away” offers a compelling and unsettling exploration of human nature in extreme circumstances, with a mix of folk music and intense drama. While the subject matter may not be to everyone’s taste, the show provides a thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the final curtain call.
