Arena Stage’s production of “Swept Away” navigates uncharted waters as it seeks to make a splash on Broadway.
Tony-winning playwright John Logan embarked on a unique creative journey to bring “Swept Away” to life. Inspired by the folk-rock songs of the Avett Brothers, Logan spent months immersing himself in their music, crafting a script that weaves together a dark tale of survival and desperation. Directed by Michael Mayer and featuring a talented cast, “Swept Away” is now set to make its crucial debut at Arena Stage’s Kreeger Theater, with hopes of a future run on Broadway.
Breaking the Mold of Traditional Musicals
“Swept Away” challenges the conventions of traditional musical theater. While it falls under the category of a jukebox musical, it eschews the typical branded pop music that has driven past hits. Instead, Logan carefully selected 16 songs from the Avett Brothers’ extensive catalog, including just three from their album “Mignonette,” which served as the inspiration for the musical. The result is a compact and intense 90-minute experience that delves into the depths of human desperation.
Crafting a Narrative from Music
Logan’s process involved immersing himself in the Avett Brothers’ music, using it as both an emotional and expositional framework for the story. He listened to hundreds of their songs, finding inspiration in tracks like “Murder in the City” to shape the relationship between two of the characters. The Avett Brothers themselves were enthusiastic about the project, seeing it as an opportunity to bring their music to new heights and explore the dramatic potential of their songs.
Arena Stage’s Developmental Hub
Arena Stage has become known for nurturing new musicals with Broadway potential. The Tony-winning success of “Dear Evan Hansen” and the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Next to Normal” both originated at Arena before making their way to the Great White Way. “Swept Away” is the latest production to undergo this developmental process, reflecting Arena’s ambition to serve as a launching pad for musical theater productions.
A New Experience for the Avett Brothers
For the Avett Brothers, the journey of “Swept Away” was an entirely new experience. When approached by theater producer Matthew Masten, they were intrigued by the idea of a musical based on their music. The fact that it was inspired by their album “Mignonette” and the true story of a shipwreck and survival at sea made it a natural fit. The Avett Brothers saw the potential for their music to be retold in a dramatic and powerful way.
Overcoming Challenges
The cast of “Swept Away” has already faced numerous challenges during the show’s development. The premiere production at Berkeley Rep coincided with the onset of the omicron variant, leading to disruptions and limited audiences. However, the cast and creative team persevered, and the production has now been brought to Arena Stage with additional enhancements. Set designer Rachel Hauck and costume designer Susan Hilferty have worked to create a visually stunning production that captures the isolation and desperation of the characters.
Conclusion: As “Swept Away” sets sail at Arena Stage, it represents a departure from the typical musical theater formula. With its unique blend of folk-rock music, dark storytelling, and talented cast, the production aims to make a lasting impact on audiences. Whether it will find a permanent home on Broadway remains uncertain, but the journey itself is a testament to the power of music and the resilience of the human spirit.
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