The Avett Brothers Put on Surprise Performance at Opening ofSwept Away, the Broadway Musical Featuring Their Music

Mar. 15, 2025

The Avett Brothers' Seth Avett, Scott Avett and Bob Crawford at the opening night of Broadway’sSwept Awayin New York City on Nov. 19, 2024.Photo:Alyssa Greenberg

Alyssa Greenberg

Theatergoers at the opening night ofBroadway’sSwept Awayon Tuesday, Nov. 19, were in for a treat when Seth Avett, Scott Avett and Bob Crawford ofThe Avett Brothersappeared during curtain call for a surprise performance of the musical’s title song.

The chart-topping band — whose songs make up the score to the acclaimed theatrical show — joined cast members includingTony AwardwinnerJohn Gallagher Jr., Tony nomineeStark Sands,DickinsonstandoutAdrian Blake Enscoe(in his Broadway debut) and1984’sWayne Duvallon stage at the Longacre Theatre in New York City.

Video of the unforgettable moment was shared toSwept Away’sofficial Instagramshowing the folk-rock trio emerging onstage to an excited crowd, before launching into their performance.

“Celebrating a special night with the band that started it all,” the caption read.

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In the crowd for the post-show concert was a sea of stars includingSara Bareilles,Amanda SeyfriedandThomas Sadoski,Alexander Skarsgård,Brooke Shields,Clive Davis,Patricia Clarkson,Will Butler,Edie Falco,Betsy Wolfe,Billy PorterandJennifer Nettles, as well asLena HeadeyandMarc Menchaca, andCoreyandCasey Cott.

The evening also included a miniSpring Awakeningreunion, with original cast membersLea Michele,Jonathan Groff,Lauren PritchardandGideon Glickcoming together to support former costar Gallagher Jr. and directorMichael Mayer, who helmed both the 2006 musical andSwept Away.

The incident was used as the basis for The Avett Brothers' 2004 albumMignonette, which is the LP producer Matthew Masten looked to adapt when he proposed the musical idea to the band in 2014.

Broadway’sSwept Away.Nina Westervelt

Nina Westervelt

Tony-winning writer John Logan wound up pulling songs into the score from five different Avett Brothers albums while penning the musical’s book, even moving the action to New Bedford, Massachusetts, and adapting other details of the story to make it original.

In addition to principals Gallagher Jr., Sands, Enscoe and Duvall,Swept Awaystars Josh Breckenridge, Hunter Brown, Matt DeAngelis, Cameron Johnson, Brandon Kalm, Rico LeBron, Michael J. Mainwaring, Orville Mendoza, Chase Peacock, Tyrone L. Robinson, David Rowen and John Sygar. Swings include John Michael Finley and Robert Pendilla.

Tickets toSwept Awayare now on sale.

source: people.com