Broadway Review: SWEPT AWAY - Bored & Confused

[@jillweber7467]

I just saw this show and loved it. I am a fan of the Avett Brothers and thought their music connected to the story really well. They did write one new song for the show

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thanks for the comment! What was the new song?

[@jillweber7467]

@ It’s Lord Lay Your Hand on my Shoulder.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Interesting. Beautiful song but like most of the other songs it doesn't really get into any specifics about these characters. Maybe character driven songs aren't in their wheel house.

[@victordunson719]

Damn near perfect. I actually adored it.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Glad you liked it! Tell your friends so they can see it before it closes!

[@capselj]

I am an Avett Brothers superfan and saw the opening night of this show in California before it even got to Broadway. Your critique is very fair and your recommendation of having the brothers write new songs for some of these scenes is sound. I still absolutely love the musical but it could have been that much better had the music been just a little more catered to the story.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Were you familiar with all the songs in the show before you saw it?

[@glennkoenig6078]

I really appreciate your reviews and can verify you give spot on assessments as I have watched your video reviews and the shows for Water for Elephants, Hells Kitchen, Gatsby, Home, Back to the Future, and The Outsiders. We are trying to win tickets to Swept Away for tomorrow and am crossing fingers.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thank you! Love reading comments like this. Good luck on Swept Away tickets. And let me know if you see Maybe Happy Ending. I seem to be the odd man out on that review.

[@glennkoenig6078]

@@MatthewHardyMusical Just saw this show last Sunday after they first announced the closing. I really like it 7/10 for me. I went in thinking about your comments about the music being a little disconnected to the storyline, but I didn't really have a problem with it as it tied into more of the emotion going on rather than the plot as with most musicals. The ship was very impressive, but I had an issue when the lifeboat was seen. The metal support structures could easily be seen as this rectangular grid pattern that was supposed to be the ocean. There are no true straight lines in nature, especially the sea, so I was a bit distracted by this. I though the acting was superb and felt sorry that the show had such a short run. Stage door was fantastic as the entire main cast and several ensemble were signing playbills.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@glennkoenig6078 Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I agree, the acting was superb! Glad you were able to catch the show before it closes.

[@MC-wc8mi]

Thank you! I love the Avett Brother's music and I honestly feel I would have probably had the same reaction, i.e., why didn't they have the brothers write additional songs to have the production feel more cohesive.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thanks for the comment. I don't know the Avett brothers complete discography so they may have written new songs for the show. But if they did, it sure doesn't feel like it. I get a little frustrated that there aren't more musicals on Broadway that are written by composers who are primarily musical theater composers. Writing for musical theater is a different skill than writing songs for an album.

[@Hal-x7l]

will you be seeing DRAG: the musical ?

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

I saw it! I haven't posted the review yet because there are too many Broadway shows opening this week. I'll post it after Death Becomes Her opens next week.

[@christophercobb249]

This is unrelated to the video, which is thoughtful as always and I appreciate the perspectives on theatre, but: you are SLAYING IT in the hair, beard trimming, and outfit departments. Seriously, you are always on point! I feel like you should start another channel with hair, beard, and outfit tips for men.

[@DJGNYC]

WOOF. 🐾

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

What a nice unexpected compliment! I was primarily an actor for many years so I've collected a lot of clothes. I started paying more attention to the hair, beard and skin after I recorded some reviews only to discover that there was a distracting wild hair or some flakey skin so I try to get myself together before I record.

[@MC-wc8mi]

totally agree!

[@HaleyNemeth]

I saw this on Sunday and I agree with all of your critiques. I think also stories like this don't really fit into our day and age anymore. For the majority of the time, the story only involves 4 white, straight men. I'm not saying all stories have to be "woke" or involve minorities, but I just find that in today's day, stories like this no longer feel relatable (as a queer woman for example, I couldn't connect to this material at all). Another critique I had was that the songs all kind of blended together. However, as I wasn't a fan of the Avett Brothers beforehand, it was going to be a challenge to relate to the music from the start. I agree that the set design, costumes, vocals, and acting were all great though! Thanks for your review!

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I think this show would most appeal to religious people who like salvation stories. Or fans of the Avett brothers.

[@victordunson719]

What is woke ? Explain it to me please.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@@victordunson719 Woke just means you have a social awareness particularly to the social and political issues affecting black people in America. I think Haley was saying that it doesn't have to be woke to be interesting to her, but this play is about white dudes in the 1800s and that it needs something more to engage modern audiences. Considering the shows early closure, she might have a point!

[@foreignparticle1320]

I'm afraid I don't understand how you can assert that "stories like this don't really fit into our day and age anymore"... because it's about four straight white men? Last time I checked, straight white men still exist in significant numbers, and should be able to have their stories told as well. But more significantly, the four characters grapple with profoundly human experiences - aspiration, duty, love, sacrifice, loss, death - which are by no means bounded by ethnicity, sex, or sexuality. Are we now so severely wrapped up in identitarianism that we can no longer empathise with other human beings unless they look like us, have sex like us, or exist in the same time and place as us? This particular story may not feel relatable to you personally, but would you really consider your enjoyment factor the arbiter of what (or how) stories should or shouldn't be told?

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@foreignparticle1320 You make a great point about the universality of human experiences like love, loss, and sacrifice, and I appreciate your perspective. I also understand where @HaleyNemeth is coming from. Many people feel strongly about how systems like the patriarchy and the historical dominance of white Christian men have contributed to the oppression of women and people of color. That lens can make stories centered on straight white men feel distant or less engaging for some audiences. That said, I think this story has the potential to resonate universally if you can look beyond those societal dynamics. A good example is Life of Pi, which tells a similarly profound and universal story but uses animals as stand-ins for humans. By removing the specifics of race, religion, and class, it allows the audience to focus solely on the story's emotional and existential core. Maybe we need to find ways to frame these stories that make them feel accessible to more people today.

[@jadedjane6241]

Loved your review. Just discovered your channel. Will be checking ypur other videos. Regarding your comments, which are all fair, I think that the plot was too thin. They had time for generic songs and the dialogue and action took the other half of the show, which wasn't that long. If they would have communicated through songs what they were saying when taking, then it would have lasted less than 1 hour. I wish they would have showed more in the first part about the brothers having to adapt to the hard life at sea and how it changed them. And they could have used the amazing set too! The mate told the young brother about how hard it would be and how he might regret his choice, but I didn't notice any change in the brothers. I wished the captain would have had some moments or one where he would have shown that he was a captain worthy of respect. I thought he was the most unlikeable character since he should have gone down with the boat, as he said. And I didn't know enough about him to feel sorry for him. He also abandoned his family so I wasn't rooting for him to make it out alive. And on top of this he was such a coward at the end. We only had a glimpse of the big brother's more human side when he admits he might like to see the world as well. I kept thinking that the brothers weren't worried at all ( especially the big one) about the fact that they left their elderly parents and the sister with the responsibility of having to look after the farm after losing 2 grown able men that were working all day on that farm. Having written all this , I enjoyed the show A LOT! And the performances were great, especially John Gallagher Jr. who managed to have the character with the most complex journey, in part due to his superb acting. I don't mind more generic songs, especially since I can identify more with the characters and situations, but I would need a better exposition outside of them. The band was great, the voices were amazing! I think it deserved to have a longer run, but I am glad they managed to get an extended run until the end of December. SPOILER ALERT: I kept thinking that it would make sense for the captain to volunteer to be eaten since he wasn't supposed to survive the wreckage and had nothing to live for. But he was too much of a coward.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@jadedJane6241 Thanks for your comment! I agree with everything you said, and I appreciate that you say how much you liked the show even though you had some criticisms. So many people on here don’t understand that you can criticize a show and still love it! And concerning your final comment, I’ve always enjoyed my steak marbled with a little fat. So yes to the captain. 😯

[@jadedjane6241]

@MatthewHardyMusical yes!! I can see some problems or not like some things and still enjoy a show or movie a lot. Haha for the steak part. But it will have to be raw in this case.

[@jenovermoyer]

I've seen the show in DC and LOVED it. Seeing it again in December! I agree with your take but have to mention the set design was impressive to me. I'll also say that more and new Avett music is never a bad idea!

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thanks for the comment. I LOVED all the technical elements - set, lighting, costume, sound. It really is a gorgeous production. And it was great to hear the Avett brothers music.

[@Thisismyusername227]

I love this channel

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying what I'm putting out!

[@j4m3sg]

I really think you should change the title of your reviews as it looks like you think everything you saw was Boring & Confusing!

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

On some level everything is! LOL It was either opt for an eye catching title for the playlist or come up click bait titles for each review. I opted for the former because it's just easier. And I explain the title within the first 10 seconds of every video so the confusion shouldn't last long. Maybe I shoould add a question mark?

[@j4m3sg]

@@MatthewHardyMusical Yes a question mark would be good. I am fine with the concept of whether you were 'bored' or 'confused' - but if am searching for a particular show (one that's good even) and your review comes near the top of the search listings, I worry that someone might just see the B&C note thinking that's your final summary - when it actually is neither of those.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@@j4m3sg Good point!

[@karennyc4310]

@@MatthewHardyMusical Definitely add a question mark. I assumed it was your reaction to the first time I saw one of your videos pop up in my feed. I only clicked on one after I saw it for multiple musicals.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@@karennyc4310 Thanks for the insight and thanks for clicking! 🙂

[@janinesimmons2944]

This review perfectly sums up my thoughts/feelings after seeing the show in DC. I really thought they’d have to fix this core issue before it opened on Broadway, but I guess they didn’t do enough.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

I'm really curious how involved the Avett Brothers were in this production, Were they involved in the creative process?

[@norwoodt]

​@MatthewHardyMusical They were involved bc they wrote Lord Lay Your Hand On My Shoulder for Swept Away. I had similar thoughts about wishing the lyrics to other songs had been adapted to better fit the storyline when I saw in DC. I was baffled to be honest that with all the talent and creativity from the creators on the stage side that they took the songs as they were with no changes. One thing that really got me was the song May It Last that the Captain sings was only given one verse and chorus or something when the whole song should have been a centerpiece for him and drawn out bc it's literally about a Captain on the seas and has big sweeping strings and sea vibes, even in the original album version. I'm a literal paid member of the Avett Bros fan club, and it's hard for other die-hard fans to see this show is thin in a lot of ways. All that said, I will be seeing it again on Broadway in a couple weeks! Lol We've also got tickets to see Allison Russell in her new role as Persephone in Hadestown and splurged on stage-side seats for Cabaret. I'll squeeze in another show if I can! ❤

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@@norwoodt Thanks for the info! I don't remember where that new song was in the show. The playbill doesn't help because the songs are listed in alphabetical order. I recall the captain having a pretty substantial ballad in the middle of the show. Maybe they gave him more of that song to sing. It's hard for me to remember the songs because they weren't always tied dramatically to the action. And I saw the show twice!

[@whatsababin]

Love your reviews! Do you have a video on Hadestown?

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thank you! I just started doing reviews about 8 months ago. But I did see the original cast of Hadestown. Should I do reviews of some of the long running shows still on Broadway?

[@laurakinnoin5649]

@@MatthewHardyMusical yes!

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@@laurakinnoin5649Okay! It will give me something to do in the winter when shows aren't opening.

[@ccuda480]

Just saw this the second time tonight from row C as a lottery win. I didn’t like it the first time I watched. Tonight I thought it was a beautiful show, especially young brother

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@ccida480 I love hearing that. Sometimes knowing where the story is heading, helps to adjust your expectation allowing you to enjoy the show more in the moment. Which is why I need to go back to Maybe Happy Ending.

[@RSLittman]

I saw the show in DC and felt the same. Like American Idiot the show is short on storyline and character development. Unlike that show there will be no Avett Brothers appearances to save it. I was hoping for these changes before it got to Broadway but it didn’t happen. I love the show, I love the music but I paid $75 a ticket and didn’t mind the lack of depth. Those paying $275 a ticket will want more. IMPT NOTE: Do not buy seats in orchestra rows 1-3 because you won’t see anything but the feet of the performers and the underbelly of the ship.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thanks for the warning about rows 1-3. I sat in the Mezzanine. I love the mezzanine at the Longacre because it's only 7 rows and every seat is great. The balcony is much larger and has some annoying seats with poles in front of them. Did you read the story of the Mignonette? There was a whole part 2 drama after the men returned to London and were tried for murder.

[@annniebannnannnie]

Super interesting review! I personally adore this show, it’s curious some of the changes they made in the transfer, having seen it in Dc and on broadway. They changed some song lyrics and lines, mostly good but a few changes puzzled me (because it seemed like the moment you’re given an inkling of character motivation for the captain was taken away), idk. Personally I like that because if its length SWAW doesn’t spoon feed a lot of the character motivation to the audience but looking back on it as after seeing the whole story every single choice and interaction the characters made makes perfect sense and makes the whole thing even more tragic. Def not for everyone. 👀😂

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Glad you enjoyed it! I find it interesting that they changed lyrics. I wonder if the lyricist changed them or the book writer. I think they should have changed more!

[@royperez8965]

I just saw it tonight. The acting and singing were good..show was just slow and boring

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thanks for the comment. Hard to make 40 minutes in a lifeboat exciting.

[@evanpeay]

thanks...i really want to see this show

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Check it out! I'm really curious to see what the audience will be. It's got good buzz and is selling pretty well for previews. It's selling better than Tammy Fae, Maybe Happy Ending and Elf.

[@jeffkoons001]

not a show I want to see, but love your videos

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Thanks!

[@germantownmd76]

Too many songs, not a lot of character development. I was bored to death.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

If only the songs had developed the characters!

[@germantownmd76]

@@MatthewHardyMusical perhaps the biggest downfall of a jukebox musical.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@@germantownmd76 Are there any jukebox musicals where the songs actually develop character?

[@guillentio]

The most boring show I saw on Broadway ever!

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

What?! You don't find 4 men in a lifeboat exciting? LOL

[@jc_jc_jc_jc_jc]

There's no story in this thing. They spent probably 5 minutes on actual plots; the rest is just people emoting. I was bored to death. The music was pleasant, but not enough to save this wreck. It would work better as a song cycle. It officially opens next Tuesday. I expect unanimous pans.

[@Javachacin]

Amen (no pun intended)

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

I'm not going to disagree with your assessment regarding the story. A fascinating part of the story of the Mignonette is that two of the sailors were tried for murder after they returned to London and admitted having killed the youngest sailor to stay alive. Can you imagine that court room drama?

[@jc_jc_jc_jc_jc]

@@MatthewHardyMusical Critic's Pick from NYT. I did not see that coming. I guess it's just not for me then.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

@@jc_jc_jc_jc_jc Nor I.

[@mrbyrne96]

@@MatthewHardyMusicalit’s based on Mignonette, but Mignonette wasn’t a whaling ship. This is a Jukebox musical based on the Avett Bro’s discography. Idk how anyone was bored in this show, unless you’re not listening to the lyrics.

[@yankee04]

No interest in seeing this.

[@MatthewHardyMusical]

Wasn't on the top of my list either.