Broadway will hear the sweet sounds of “Amazing Grace” this summer at the Nederlander Theatre. Based on the true story of Englishman John Newton, the writer of the iconic song, “Amazing Grace” is a saga of love and redemption in the midst of the 18th century international slave trade. Coming from long standing family traditions rooted in the business of slavery, Newton encounters adventures and perils that test his heart, faith, and humanity. It stars Tony Award nominee Josh Young as Newton and Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper as Thomas who accompanies Newton on the high seas. Making her Broadway debut as ‘Yema’, is rising star, Rachael Ferrera (Off Bway: Marie Christine– R
evival, Regional: Ragtime) who spoke with Broadway Black about her journey and the road to “Amazing Grace”. The song the world knows. The story it doesn’t
Broadway Black (BB): Rachael, thank you so much for your time. Let’s start with a brief introduction-where are you from and when did you start performing?
Rachael Ferrera (RF): I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma born and raised! I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and my first performance was when I was 3-years-old. I went to Disneyland and was obsessed with the “It’s a Small World” ride and song so I performed it at my church talent show in a big poofy pink dress. Growing up, I was in choir and took voice lessons in high school but I kind of accidentally fell into theater towards the end of high school. There was a musical happening and my friend wanted to audition but didn’t want to go by herself so I went with her and that kind of changed the course of things. My senior year I applied to NYU for theater- because a friend made me do it- and by the time they were going to make a decision, I realized that this is what I wanted to do. So I went to NYU and studied theater.
BB: Beautiful! Well, how long have you been involved with “Amazing Grace”?
RF: Since 2010. It’s been a journey
BB: Wow! So where was the production at that point?
RF: When I originally auditioned, it was for a closed reading. Literally the cast, creative team, and some of their close friends. It was just for them, they weren’t really trying to get [industry] people involved at that point. They had who they wanted for that moment to be involved in the creative process. It was just for the creative process. I think they only had one reading before that and I was involved in the second.
BB: What was your role for that reading?
RF: It was a little tiny ensemble role with a tiny little feature. Like, tiny! It was one solo-singing line and you saw her one time. Since then, the show has obviously grown and the role has changed. I mean, now it’s a principle role which has been crazy to be a part of and to watch happen and shape itself. It’s really cool!
BB: What are so
me of your highlights or favorite parts of this 5 year experience?
RF: Well the first thing that comes to my brain isn’t actually a favorite part, it’s the whole thing. Right before my initial audition, I made a list of dreams and career goals and one of the things I wrote on that list was I wanted to be a part of a project and start with it from the very beginning and watch the process- originating a role from the ground up and go with it all the way to Broadway and it’s like every single step in this process has been that. It’s been a dream.
BB: That is amazing! What has been the timeline of this piece?
RF: Readings in New York in 2010 and 2011. Then in spring of 2012, there was a workshop production at Goodspeed [Opera House] which was really cool because that was the first time I got to experience it on its feet. Then after that, there were a couple more industry readings for backers, [etc.] and the next big step was the pre-Broadway production in Chicago last fall. Now, here we are!!
BB: Here you are! Can you tell us a little about your character?
RF: My character’s name is ‘Yema’ and she is a girl living in Sierra Leone- the play takes place in England and Africa. I don’t want to give away too much, but in the story ‘Yema’ functions as a vessel of grace toward ‘John’ [Newton] in some of his darkest moments.
BB: Who should see this show and what do you want audiences to take away from it?
RF: I think everyone should see this show! It is a story about redemption and finding your peace in the middle of a storm, which is something everyone can relate to. And I think what people will take away is hope- an overwhelming feeling of hope. There is so much darkness in this man’s [John Newton] life and he proceeds to move through that and find his light and then share that light with people for centuries after he is gone and to me, that feels like hope.
Chuck Cooper sings Nowhere Left To Run from Amazing Grace
AMAZING GRACE is a world premiere 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 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 — and embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart. But when a perilous voyage on the high seas finds John in his darkest hour, a transformative moment of self-reckoning inspires a blazing anthem of hope that will finally guide him home.
Brimming with emotion and adventure, AMAZING GRACE is an unforgettable musical saga that captures the spirit of history’s sweetest and most powerful sound: freedom.
“Amazing Grace” features music and lyrics by Christopher Smith and a book by Christopher Smith and Arthur Giron. Directed by Gabriel Barre. Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli.
Previews begin June 25th. For tickets and more information, visit www.amazinggracemusical.com
