Broadway with Me

• Performance Date: November 13, 2024
• Seat Location: Orchestra Right, Row H, Seat 5
• Seat Price & Ticketer: 250 Show Points + $96 via Audience Rewards
• Running Time: 90 minutes, no intermission
• Rating: 9/10

Content Warning for death, blood, cannibalism, suicide and their associated topics

It’s been months since Swept Away closed on Broadway but I still think about it. Now that the Original Broadway Cast Recording released yesterday, I can finally talk about this show without it seeming too out of left field.

I went to see Swept Away on a whim. I had a bunch of show points on Audience Rewards and was looking for a show to see. Swept Away seemed like a good deal and I love the ocean and sailing. The cover art intrigued me and, while I’m not exactly fan of The Avett Brothers, I know they have a rep for good music. So I figured why not; I expected to enjoy a jaunty, sea shanty-filled adventure.

That’s not what I got.

Instead, I got a show made me question my own morality and mortality when faced with life and death. And I absolutely loved it.

Before jumping into the story of the show, I want to take a moment to discuss this cast. It’s easy to tell that the cast and crew treated this show with so much love and respect. You can see from my photo above, that when I stagedoored this show, every single cast member came out and signed for us. They were so sweet and kind, taking the time to speak with each of us as they signed. They were so thankful that we loved this show and you could tell how much they loved it too. I had a long chat with John Gallagher Jr about his role. It was one of the best cast experiences I’ve had in my years of stagedooring; second only to my experiences with the cast of Here Lies Love. There’s something to be said that the best experiences coming from shows closed before their time…

Swept Away is a nautical tale of a whaling ship told through the memories of our dying Mate (played by the great John Gallagher, Jr.). The first part of the show pulls you into that atmosphere with jolly dancing by our buff sailors ensamble. At this point, I was thinking that maybe I was right with my sea shanty expectations. But throughout this section, there’s the ominous undercurrent. The score is haunting and the ocean sounds are realistic. You’re pulled into the life of Big Brother and Little Brother. You care for them, and it’s clear they care for each other. The show does a phenomenal job helping you care for these characters because of who they are, and not just because these are the main characters so you’re expected to care.

Then came what I thought was 2nd best part of the show. It was my first audible gasp of the night. We get very well done slow-mo choreography of our poor sailors caught in a storm. The score shines here, setting the tone of despair. They start falling off the ship when slowly the entire ship set lifts up. It raises up to almost a 90 degree angle, leaving most of our crew dead. This reveals the ocean to us, full of LEDs and smoke. The bottom of our ship set is all mirrors, so we can all see the ocean better. All that’s left on this ocean is a small dingy, with our Captain, Mate, Little Brother and Big Brother.

The effect all of this creates is outstanding. Our sea adventure is now sea survival. While I doubt many people in the audience can relate to the experience, I do think most have at least a mild fear of one day being lost at sea, no land in sight. As the time drags on, our remaining crew get weaker. Little Brother is dying, injured from the wreck.

This leads to the song I found the best part of the show. Mate sings “Satan Pulls the Strings” as the whole dingy spins in circles and the dead crew rises from the ocean. It’s an amazing number and a huge turning point, as now we’re presented with the issue facing our survivors. They must grapple with the concept of consuming the dying Little Brother to ensure their continued survival.

The song that follows their decision had me in tears, even as I listen to the soundtrack. It’s a poignant and emotional moment, paid off well. My second audible gasp came in the next moments, where Big Brother sacrifices himself instead before anyone can stop him. At that point in the show I was well into a stream of tears, and the soundtrack leaves me the same.

The story handles its darkness well. Each choice has a logical reason, each interaction is intertwined with feeling. The show holds your hand through the darkness, walking you out together. It’s not a heavy show for the sake of being heavy; it’s heavy because life is heavy. On his deathbed years later, Mate unburdens the secret of this time where he was out at sea. We’re on this journey with him, so his relief is our relief.

All in all, Swept Away left an impression on me that I never expected. I’m so glad we have a soundtrack now to relive it. Go give it a listen and support this closed but not forgotten show. Personally, I love “Swept Away” and “Satan Pulls the Strings” the most from the album.