The new Broadway-bound musical, Amazing Grace, which had its out-of-town tryout in Chicago this past fall, has found its home on Broadway. The show will take up residence at the Nederlander Theatre, recently home to the now closed Honeymoon In Vegas. The show features music and lyrics by Christopher Smith with book and lyrics by Smith and Arthur Giron with direction by Gabriel Barre (Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party) and choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies).
Here is how producers are billing the biographical new musical:
“A new original musical based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world’s most beloved song. A captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, this radiant production follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change. John Newton (Tony Award nominee Josh Young), a willful and musically talented young Englishman, faces a future as uncertain as the turning tide. Coming of age as Britain sits atop an international empire of slavery, he finds himself torn between following in the footsteps of his father – a slave trader – or embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart (Erin Mackey). Accompanied by his slave, Thomas (Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper), John embarks on a perilous voyage on the high seas. When that journey finds John in his darkest hour, a transformative moment of self-reckoning inspires a blazing anthem of hope that will finally guide him home.”
Also featured are Chris Hoch (Mailtda), Stanley Bahorek (Big River), Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia), Laiona Michellev (Book of Mormon nat’l tour), Rachael Ferrera (Broadway debut) and Elizabeth Ward Land (Scandalous).
The ensemble will feature Leslie Becker, Sara Brophy, Rheaume Crenshaw, Miquel Edson, Mike Evariste, Sean Ewing, Savannah Frazier, Christopher Gurr, Allen Kendall, Michael Dean Morgan, Vince Oddo, Oneika Phillips, Clifton Samuels, Gavriel Savit, Dan Sharkey,Bret Shuford, Evan Alexander Smith, Uyoata Udi, Charles E. Wallace, Toni Elizabeth White and Hollie E. Wright.
The creative team for Amazing Grace will include sets by Eugene Lee and Edward Pierce, costumes by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Ken Billington and Paul Miller, sound design by Jon Weston and fight/military movement by David Leong.
To purchase tickets to Amazing Grace visit Ticketmaster.com or call (877) 250-2929. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Nederlander Theatre box office (208 W. 41st St) starting June 1, 2015. Ticket prices range from $65-$139 (all prices include a $2.00 facility fee).
