CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Avett Brothers musical “Swept Away” is not getting swept off Broadway just yet, thanks to a wave of ticket sales.

The show, about the fate of four men trying desperately to survive a whaling boat shipwreck without food or water, announced on Dec. 5 that it would close Dec. 15 — just a month after it officially opened.

But late Tuesday, producers said a surge in ticket sales that followed the closing announcement led them to extend the show an additional two weeks. It now is scheduled to close Dec. 29 at the Longacre Theatre.

Slow ticket sales were cited for the initial closing so soon after it had launched, and it’s rare for shows to extend their life on Broadway after disclosing plans to end. But the day after the initial announcement, the show sold out.

Then it happened the next day, and the next, Stark Sands, one of the lead actors, told the audience after Tuesday night’s show.

He also noted how the “Swept Away” is about “the will to survive against incredible odds.” The comparison to the fate of the show was clear.

“And for the rest of that week there was not an empty seat in this theater,” Sands said. “This week is also completely sold out. I’ve never witnessed this kind of wild demand to catch a show that is closing early.”

The crowd cheered and the cast hugged when he announced the two-week extension.

‘Swept Away’ and its bond with the Charlotte region

The show has strong ties to the Charlotte area.

It features music from the extensive catalog of the popular roots-rock band from Concord. And one of the producers, Matthew Masten, is a Charlotte native. He and fellow producers Sean Hudock and Madison Wells Live announced the extension.

“Swept Away” took a decade to reach Broadway. Masten first had the idea that an Avett Brothers album called “Mignonette,” about a notorious shipwreck, could form the basis for a musical.

A mix of theater vets and newcomers worked on the show, which had successful runs in Berkeley, California, and Washington, D.C., before hitting Broadway. Amid a slew of favorable reviews, The New York Times called it a “Critic’s Pick,” and Spin magazine said it was “this year’s best of Broadway.”

“Swept Away” is also getting an Original Broadway Cast recording. The digital version is set for release Feb. 7, and a CD is available for pre-order too.

By the time it closes on its new date, “Swept Away” will have played 48 regular performances and 20 previews.

One of the other lead actors, Tony winner John Gallagher Jr., took to Instagram to thank fans of the show. “I reckon this unexpected twist is well worth the emotional whiplash of the last seven days.

“It’s a rare thing to be given a second chance under such circumstances,” Gallagher wrote, “and wildly heartwarming and encouraging to witness a surprise grassroots moment emerge from such a sad situation.”

©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.