A new musical featuring the music of The Avett Brothers, Swept Away, will have its world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in June 2020. The production is under the direction of Michael Mayer and produced by Berkeley Rep by special arrangement with Matthew Masten and Sean Hudock. Swept Away features The Avett Brothers’ music and lyrics and was written for the stage by John Logan with musical arrangements and orchestrations by Chris Miller and Brian Usifer.
“This new and original story built with our songs has revealed meanings and connections which Scott and I never could have imagined otherwise,” said Seth Avett. “Beyond the unique joy and somewhat surreal experience of watching the project develop, it has been an honor to work with everyone involved; writer John Logan has led the way with talent, motivation, and inspiration.”
The production is part of Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s 2019-20 subscription season. Tickets for Swept Away are currently only available to full season subscribers. Other subscription packages and single ticket availability will be announced at a later date.
“It’s been a total pleasure working with The Avett Brothers and living inside their music,” said Logan. “I am constantly inspired by the sheer variety of their work and its utter truth and soulfulness.”
Here’s a description of the musical:
Swept Away is set in 1888, off the coast of New Bedford, Massachusetts. When a violent storm sinks their whaling ship, the four surviving souls — a young man in search of adventure, his older brother who has sworn to protect him, a captain at the end of a long career at sea, and a worldly first mate who has fallen from grace — each face a reckoning: How far will I go to stay alive? And can I live with the consequences?
