Amazing Grace on Broadway: Show Is Now Closed
Amazing Grace Summary
- Show Status: Closed
- Genre: Musical
- Amazing Grace is 2.5 Hours long, including an intermission of 15 Minutes
- 8 Shows per week
- Previews Began: June 25, 2015
- Show Opened : July 16, 2015
- Show Closed: October 25, 2015
Amazing Grace is an uplifting new musical arriving on Broadway in summer 2015. The musical premiered in fall 2014 at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre, where it demonstrated that audiences leave this show inspired and moved. It tells the story of the creation of the song, “Amazing Grace,” which was written around the turn of the 19th century by a man named John Newton, who is played by Josh Young (Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar).
What's Amazing Grace Like?
This show is a traditional Broadway musical, but it is unusual fare on Broadway today, given that you can enter the theatre and leave knowing you will be uplifted. In this way, it is comparable to Les Misérables, whereas many new musicals are darker in theme or deal with more satirical elements. Amazing Grace tells the tale of John Newton, who was a headstrong but musically gifted young Englishman, finding himself in the position of sailor and then captain of a slave ship. His father is a slave trader, and he is not sympathetic to his ways. Instead, he finds compassion in his young sweetheart, played by Erin Mackey, who is not in favor of slavery.
Is Amazing Grace Good for Kids?
Yes, the show is great for kids. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Amazing Grace on Broadway Background
Newton was the captain of a slave ship who converted to Christianity and became an abolitionist and Anglican clergyman. The show also represents the perspective of a slave named Thomas, who is played by Chuck Cooper (The Life). The female lead is played by Erin Mackey (Chaplin). The book, music and lyrics are all written by a first time musical writer named Christopher Smith, who was once a police officer inspired by the story of John Newton. He has since been developing the show for two decades, and he co-wrote the book with Arthur Giron. The musical is directed by Gabriel Barre (The Wild Party), and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli (The King and I, Newsies, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). The result is an inspiring tale about a man who decides to take his destiny into his own hands, becoming an abolitionist and writing the beautiful and timeless song “Amazing Grace.”
Theatre Information
Nederlander Theatre
New York, NY 10019
Cast Members
- John Newton
- Josh Young
- Robert Haweis
- Stanley Bahorek
- Yema
- Rachel Ferrera
- Pakuteh (Thomas)
- Chuck Cooper
- Nanna
- Laiona Michelle
- Princess Peyai
- Harriett D Foy
- Major Gray
- Chris Hock
- Mrs. Catlett
- Eliabeth Ward Land
- Mary Catlett
- Erin Mackey
- Captain Newton
- Tom Hewitt
Producers
Alexander Rankin
Carolyn Rossi Copeland
Production Credits
- Director
- Gabriel Barre
- Choreographer
- Christopher Gattelli
- Sound Designer
- Jon Weston
- Costume Designer
- Toni-Leslie James
- Set Designer
- Eugene Lee + Edward Pierce
- Lighting Designer
- Ken Billington + Paul Miller
- Music Director
- Joseph Church
- Orchestrations
- Kenny Seymour
- Lyrics + Book
- Christopher Smith
- Music
- Arthur Giron + Christopher Smith
- Production Stage Manager
- Paul J Smith
Creative Team
- General Manager
- Marshall Purdy at MBP Productions
- Company Manager
- Chris Aniello at MBP Productions
- Production Manager
- Aurora Productions
- Casting Director
- Pat McCorkle Casting
- Marketing
- The Pekoe Group
- Press Agent
- Boneau Bryan-Brown