For Scott Avett, the bad news arrived with dinner.
The maitre d at the place told Avett that she and her sister couldnt wait to see it.
In that moment, Avett had to keep the bad news under wraps, but inside his heart plunged.
Wayne Duvall, Stark Sands, John Gallagher Jr., and Adrian Blake Enscoe (from left) during the curtain call for ‘Swept Away’ in DecemberBruce Glikas/WireImage
I wanted the world to see and hear it, he says.
And Im just sitting there thinking, This really sucks.
I had assumed it was going to be on Broadway for 20 years.
Everything aboutSwept Awaydefied Broadway convention.
The cast didnt include any major movie or TV actors.
Its a tough, tough pill to swallow.
It was Masten who initiated the project all those years ago.
I was fascinated by the idea of being stranded at sea, and what would you do?
How far would you be willing to go to stash your family members?
I couldnt get that out of my head.
Part of the intrigue when I heard this concept was, can you make a darker musical?
At Avetts home in North Carolina, Logan read the script to the musician.
When I heard that twist, that was it, he says.
Oh, my God, that was it.
Its Broadway debut was penciled in for November 2024.
We were told [the show] was different and there were challenges, says Avett.
But when I think about movies, it seems like that [savagery] would play easily on film.
Not easily, but it plays, and people would show up for it.
God, they go and watchTerrifieror whatever.
Avett also felt the musicals message would overcome any queasiness when potential customers heard the storyline.
I believe everybody relates to this show, he says.
I think it was for everybody, and I was hoping everybody would see it on Broadway.
After previews,Swept Awayopened at the Longacre Theater on Nov. 19.
We knew it was something that would take time to catch on, says Masten.
Especially when you realize somebodys flesh has to feed this boat, you feel the tension start.
I heard people grunt or moan.
We heard that a couple of people passed out or fainted or came close to fainting.
People left, people gasped and, and I think there were some yells.
And given the high cost of maintaining a Broadway show, its days were numbered.
Its complicated material, says Masten.
It makes you work, it makes you think, it makes you feel.
Were in a complicated time.
Maybe sometimes people dont want to feel that much.
And unfortunately, we just werent seeing the ticket sales increase at the rate we needed them to.
Finally, on Dec. 5, the shows closing went public.
Ironically, its last week was its highest grossing.
Thats made the closure of the show, at least for me, a lot more bearable.
Youre wanting to seeWickedor one of those other fabulous shows.
This show is talking about God in a very real, intentional way.
And not a lot of Americans are necessarily signing up to do that, except in specific scenarios.
In a moment of levity, Hudock adds, But we will not be going on a cruise ship.
