The Avett Brothers’ ‘Swept Away’ Broadway Musical Announces Extension Due to Ticket Surge

Photo Credit: Emilio Madrid

On Nov. 19, the Avett Brothers welcomed a new chapter in their career with the official opening night of Swept Away, a new Broadway musical with music and lyrics from the folk-rock forerunners. Inspired by the band’s acclaimed 2004 concept album Mignonette, the new production brings those soul-stirring songs to life in a story of shipwreck, salvation and the bond between brothers that weathers even the most tempestuous circumstances. Mirroring the story of survival at its core, the musical announced yesterday that it will extend its run by two weeks, after previously setting an abrupt closing date last week.

Despite widespread positive reviews for its immersive and edifying retelling of Mignonette, Swept Away announced on Dec. 5 that it would close on Dec. 15, less than a month after its premiere, due to struggles in the box office. Yesterday, the saga continued when actor Stark Sands–who plays the role of Big Brother–stepped onstage alongside the full cast after the curtain call to officially share the news of the two-week extension, underscoring a rally from the fans that helped to prolong the production’s run at the Longacre Theatre through December 29.

“The story we tell is about the will to survive against incredible odds,” Sands shared. “This show was scheduled to play its final performance on Sunday, but thanks to you, the audience members who have come out to see us since we made that announcement, it turns out there’s more life left in us yet.” Watch the actor’s full heartfelt message to the audience below.

Last week, with the announcement of Swept Away’s original closing date, the producers Matthew Masten, Sean Hudock and Madison Wells Live said in a statement, “We are deeply proud of this beautiful production and the years of work that it took to get to Broadway. We will forever be indebted to our fantastic creative team, our loyal actors, and all of our co-producers and in turn their investors, for believing in this production and taking a risk on new work.”

The Avett Brothers’ influence looms large on Swept Away, which includes the bulk of Mignonette, four songs from 2016’s Grammy-nominated True Sadness and one new track written exclusively for the occasion, titled “Lord Lay Your Hand on My Shoulder.” Scott and Seth Avett are also silhouetted in the musical’s book, written by storied playwright and screenwriter John Logan. Logan, who personally petitioned the band to adapt Mignonette, diverged from the historical wreck that inspired the 2004 album by centering his treatment on the relationship between two brothers.

Beyond the beloved music, the production is elevated by the contributions of an acclaimed cast and crew. The principal characters set adrift off the coast of New Bedford, Mass.–Little Brother, Big Brother, Mate and Captain–are portrayed by Tony Award winner John Gallagher, Jr., Tony nominee Sands, rising star Adrian Blake Enscoe and Wayne Duvall (who some will recognize for his antagonist role in O Brother, Where Art Thou?). The musical is directed by Tony winner Michael Mayer, who recently helmed the national tour of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, and choreographed by Tony nominee David Neumann, acclaimed for his work on Hadestown. 

For tickets and more information on Swept Away, visit sweptawaymusical.com. The musical’s soundtrack, featuring recordings of the Avett Brothers’ songs by the Broadway cast, is available for pre-order now, and will be released on digital and CD formats via Joy Machine Records on February 7, 2025. 

Learn about the Avett Brothers’ involvement in the musical and their reflections on a massive year of performances and recording in Seth and Scott Avett’s interview for the October-November issue of Relix.