Amazing Grace NYC Reviews and Tickets

"Unfortunately, while aspects of Newton’s tale are indeed noteworthy, maybe even amazing, the musical itself unfolds as an overstuffed history lesson trimmed in melodrama, with a standard-issue romantic subplot and some dutiful attempts to explore the lives of the slaves... 'Amazing Grace,' thick with such moralizing, naturally concludes on a note of uplift, or rather many notes of uplift: a choral singing of the title song... The song is simple, beautiful, immortal; the musical, not so much."
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"Personally, I expect poetic license in the theater, but I expect it to serve a strong artistic or political vision. 'Amazing Grace' has neither. It comes out strongly against slavery; well done. But as with the recent, equally dismal, 'Doctor Zhivago', 'Grace' proves that folks are willing to burn piles of money trying to resurrect the 1980s-style megamusical. At best, the piece might move audiences to sympathetic tears, but in the end, it’s preaching to the choir."
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"The equivalent of a child’s drawing: naïve, sincere, glowing with an unimpeachable if hard-to-pin-down vision of what it wants to be...It is also a confusing cartoon so lacking in craft that it ruins any chance of being taken seriously. Certainly it can’t be recommended as history; it’s riddled with falsehoods that alone would sink it. But it also fails as musical theater, on two counts: the music and the theater."
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"There's no questioning the sincerity of 'Amazing Grace', which recounts the true story of the penitent slave trader who penned that popular hymn. However, while the tale of oppression and liberation ultimately climbs stirring peaks, it's symptomatic of the show's problems that its most vibrant and compelling character is a regal African mercenary who dishonors her ancestors through the heartless exploitation of her people."
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"Lest you think that 'Amazing Grace' is one long celebration of the soul-stirring song, theatergoer beware. You’ll have to wait to hear those two little words—almost two and a half hours. The good news: It’s worth it...If only the rest of 'Amazing Grace' had such force. While by no means unpleasant, Smith’s songs are lifeless and forgettable."
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"There’s an audience out there for 'Amazing Grace,' flawed as it is. Christian congregations and other faith-based groups should respond to this epic-scaled saga of how John Newton, an 18th-century British slave trader played by Josh Young, experienced a 'miraculous' religious conversion, became an Anglican minister, and went on to write 200 church hymns, including the stirring title piece. But ye of little faith will find it tough sledding."
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"It’s not so much a musical as an antislavery pageant, with innocuous songs by Christopher Smith and a vertiginously high-minded book by Mr. Smith and Arthur Giron. ... Whatever its weaknesses, this is one of the best-looking musicals to reach New York in recent seasons...I can’t imagine that 'Amazing Grace' will last long on Broadway, but it’s a perfect fit for the drama departments of Christian high schools and colleges, where it will doubtless have a profitable afterlife."
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"Epically bad show...If you’re going to make a musical about one of the best-known and most-loved songs of all time, you’d better be equal to the task. That, fundamentally, is not the case with this earnest but cringe-inducing freshman effort...Finally, however, we do get what we’ve paid for: that sinuous melody, those elegantly simple words. The closing scene is as powerful as it is predictable, as the hymn builds to its climax, sung by the entire company. Everything that has come before is instantly forgotten."
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"Broadway’s new play is bound to resonate—and provoke...The musical’s comforting message that redemption and absolution are possible for even the worst sinners, while no doubt an inspiration to some, may strike others as too simplistic...Newton’s conversion takes place abruptly during the play, with little apparent cost either to him or anyone else."
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"The hymn "Amazing Grace" has a remarkable and singular place in history, a legacy, alas, unlikely to be enjoyed by the earnest but insufficiently sophisticated new musical that shares its title, from the hitherto unknown composer Christopher Smith...The same issue haunts the book, an overly linear piece of storytelling never better than serviceable that lacks nuance and ambiguity, even as the production it accompanies lacks a truly vibrant theatrical metaphor."
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"Smith’s score seems to aim for “Les Miz”-like grandeur, but falls short, despite some agreeable tunes. But of course nothing comes close to the title song, which isn’t just the show’s payoff, but the reason it exists. However awkward or heavy-handed the proceedings are up till then, 'Amazing Grace' doesn’t fail to draw tears."
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"It’s a remarkable moment — the show’s only one, alas — in this fact-fudged telling of a historical figure’s life. Otherwise, this earnest but plodding musical needs lifelines of its own. Songs are serviceable but lack significance and surprise. You can hear the boilerplate lyrics coming a mile away. Even the potential power ballads don’t have the structure to make an impact. The jumbled book is another issue. The creators have good instincts about a story worth telling. But their reach exceeds their grasp."
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"Resembling an old-fashioned adventure novel, 'Amazing Grace' is packed with changes of fortune, sentimentality and one-dimensional characters. Smith's mushy, forgettable songs sound like the work of someone who loves 'Les Miz' but has little talent of his own. The workmanlike production pulls off a visual coup at the end of act one, using a flying effect to show Newton on the verge of sinking. Too bad they couldn't just sing "Amazing Grace" at the start and save everyone 2 1/2 hours."
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"The tale might work in a historical drama by a talented playwright, but Smith and Giron deliver little more than a clunky period piece broken up by bombastic, generic anthems...'Grace' proves that producers are willing to burn piles of money trying to resurrect the 1980s-style megamusical. At best 'Amazing Grace' might manipulate audiences to tears, but in the end, it’s preaching to the choir."
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"A mildly enjoyable adventure enhanced greatly by sumptuous design and staging...The exciting score feels like window dressing on the skeletal remains of a much more robust story."
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"'Amazing Grace' may have the noblest intentions of any major musical I've ever seen...The close of 'Amazing Grace' is every bit as stirring as you'd expect. It's everything the show needs to be, and enough that those in search of nothing more won't leave the theater feeling cheated. But this elevation does not come without a cost: Saving this song of all songs for the very end only emphasizes how thoroughly what precedes it fails to meet the composition's heaven-high standards."
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"An ungainly pastiche of different genres, part 1776, part Tarzan movie, part Horatio Hornblower, part Titanic...It’s flatfooted and crude...There’s just too much that’s derivative in this show."
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"Far from light-hearted but deeply felt and spiritedly envisioned, 'Amazing Grace' is another stirring historical period musical adventure...It remains to be seen whether his lilting arias and stirring anthems and the the impressive text will ultimately validate him as a major musical find. What I do know is that Smith and his production associates have given us an amazing show with an abundance of grit and grace."
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"The production has sweeping and emotionally resonant themes that never seem to find cohesion in the book, music and lyrics. Nor is director Gabriel Barre able to harness spotty performances from his leading players...'Amazing Grace’s' message of redemption and change is a beautiful one. Unfortunately, its delivery feels less than inspired."
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"The show is definitely blessed with a number of virtues that many will find sufficiently entertaining to keep them in their seats, including an important historical lesson , several big-chested songs, a remarkable underwater special effect, and, among other things, the beloved eponymous hymn...On the other hand, this tale is a fictionalized distortion of what actually happened, its narrative is awkward and clichéd, its characters broad stereotypes, and its wit almost an afterthought."
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"It is an amazing story, but it is told on stage mostly in less than an amazing way. The new musical combines a coming-of-age tale, love story, slave narrative, costume drama, and Saturday morning adventure serial. It tries to do many things at once. For all that, we don’t actually learn much about the song... Much time, talent and money has gone into this well-meaning project to tell the story of John Newton. But it’s a musical hobbled by a misunderstanding of what makes good theater."
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"'Amazing Grace' has as strong a finish as any musical in recent or distant memory...but is it enough to forgive what’s gone before? With little reluctance, I have to say it isn’t...Audiences are required to sit through two dubious acts before being so rewarded...The prosaic rhyming is careless, the tunes Les Miserables-generic, and the emotions fall far short of what is needed for the characters to express themselves as they must."
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"'Amazing Grace' earns a place right alongside 'Scandalous,' and 'Into the Light...' While there is indeed a lightning strike on the stage, it comes courtesy of the electrician...In speaking of faith-based musicals, it was often stated--and universally proven--that you don't have to be Jewish to love 'Fiddler on the Roof.' I don't expect the producers of 'Amazing Grace' will find a happy parallel."
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"The show postpones Barack Obama’s favorite tune to the finale, offering a long and dull history lesson with a score heavy on bombastic anthems. In Hollywood parlance, they call it “medicine”: a movie or TV show that’s good for you, that teaches you something, that hopefully leaves you inspired. 'Amazing Grace' is definitely medicine... But is 'Amazing Grace' inspirational and, more important, does it hold one’s interest?...In their final exchange, Mary asks Newton why “it took you so long” to give up his slave-trader ways. Theatergoers will be asking that question much earlier."
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"The choppy story and slight score do not coalesce into a satisfying work of musical theater. What saves 'Amazing Grace' from embarrassment is the thoroughly professional rendering it gets from director Gabriel Barre, his design collaborators and a sterling cast whose fine voices and solid acting skills give the flimsy piece some much-needed weight."
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"If 'Grace' has the courage of its convictions, it shows less daring, and little invention, as a creative work. Mostly generic, sometimes bombastic score and stilted dialogue...The standing ovation that followed surely included more skeptical folks who were, if not converted, moved by this flawed musical's open heart and chutzpah."
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"Can a man who has done cruel, hateful, casually sadistic acts for almost three quarters of a musical become a sympathetic hero by abruptly discovering his faith? Is it possible to excuse some of history's worst crimes against humanity by explaining that, well, the perpetrator was merely a brat rebelling against his father? So much effort, sincerity and talent - not to mention cash - have been funneled into 'Amazing Grace' that it would be nice to be able to answer yes to any of that. Alas, the truth is far too big for this Broadway package."
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"The authors load up on the atrocious behavior to make Newton’s redemption that much more impressive. But when it finally happens, it comes much too quickly...The songs and book of 'Amazing Grace' are no more than serviceable, but the show does offer theatrical pleasures. It moves with good energy, and there are vivid scenic effects."
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"The tone of scenes in the first act oscillates wildly, from striking and severe to overly smug and smirky. The songs are confident, if not quite memorable...In an epilogue, Young begins an a cappella version of the song. Within a minute, some audience members were standing with an evangelical hand raised to God. The moment is as lump-in-the-throat as it sounds. It seemed disconnected from the rest of the musical, and was the first time during 'Amazing Grace' my emotions were truly stirred."
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"If you see 'Amazing Grace,' you will get a sense of what it’s like to waste a lot of money...Mr. Smith has set up his scenes and characters in the most predictable of fashions and given them message songs to sing. The intent may have been very sincere, but the results are stock scenes with stock characters in stock situations and are not aided at all by Gabriel Barre’s lackluster direction."
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"I found it to be engrossing, inspiring and bursting with excellent performances and heavenly staging... It’s very moving...The score is adequate, but lacks the swell of big Broadway."
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"The refreshing new show 'Amazing Grace' admirably covers slavery, abolition, sedition and spiritual themes in 1740s England and Africa, complete with spirited acting and inspirational ballads and anthems...It's a long time coming, but the title song is performed in the beautiful and emotional finale. By then we've been on quite a journey with these characters, and the hymn resonates with relevance and hope, both for their personal stories and the still-uneasy state of racial relations today."
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"For the most part the numbers are really quite good and way better than some of the music and lyrics that inhabited shows this past season...Amazing no…but enjoyable? Certainly yes!"
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"Director Gabriel Barre is at his best guiding the many action sequences and incorporating the production’s special effects without overwhelming the show. Unfortunately, there are so many scene changes that achieving a consistent flow or developing an emotional core is difficult....a heartfelt effort not fully realized."
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"There isn't an oven big enough for this turkey; a Sunday School polemic that beats you around the head with its message but fails to have any charm or memorable melodies...I can't imagine this subject matter ever being dealt with in a more elementary way – even a middle school assembly project would give a more insightful and educational exploration of the theme. The direction and staging heaves under the viscous book and uninspiring score."
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"'Amazing Grace' is so formulaic that you could write some of the scenes in your head before they unfold. But its conceptual backbone warrants appreciation...The score built around the title song is so functional you wonder if composer Smith was holding back...The panorama of characters is well paced and well constructed but generally so risk free that even when characters start sacrificing their futures for their ideals, the consequences are minimal. "
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"With all these creative liberties the musical is seemingly taking, I feel it might be too much for an audience to believe...Even with this cast, there are just too many issues about the subject matter for this to be a sure fire hit. And given the state of original dramatic musicals on Broadway, If this stays open after Labor Day, I'll be surprised."
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"This show has the power of the spirit without EVER preaching. It shows slavery for what is was but it also shows the evil black princess who was also part of the evil as she sold her own people in to slavery. None of it felt PC, nor did it feel forced or worse yet like it was trying to teach a lesson. If you are anywhere near New York you must see this show. It is worth the drive, the airfare or whatever it takes to get there. 'Amazing Grace' isn’t just amazing, it’s a miracle."
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"'Amazing Grace' on Broadway is an unforgettable experience that will wow the critics, captivate the crowd, and inspire people to pursue love and freedom despite racial tensions in the country...Overall 'Amazing Grace' on Broadway is a show that we would gladly recommend to anyone...The acting allows the audience to go on this journey with Newton and it is a show with a rare voice not usually heard on Broadway."
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"A captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, this radiant production follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change...Brimming with emotion and adventure, 'Amazing Grace' is an unforgettable musical saga. This show was categorically stunning, thrilling, inspiring, and breathtakingly beautiful. "
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"Unfortunately, the show is yet another one of those where you can see flashes of 'what could have been' coupled with a ton of playing it safe. The result is an alternately interesting, pleasant, and (mostly) boring production...The book is all over the map, hovering somewhere between a safe Disney live-action historical drama, a Hallmark Hall of Fame 'important' drama, and, rarely, a hard-hitting expose on one of history's darkest chapters."
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"Sincere earnestness, along with expert pacing, theatrical flair and superb, intense performances, carry this show with moments of genuine potency. But it’s an open question whether those strengths can ultimately overcome a mostly workmanlike score and a bold but elongated focus on the wretchedness of its main character, whose song-inspiring soul-saving doesn’t occur until halfway through the second act."
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"'Amazing Grace' wants us to see the life story of John Newton as a redemptive, traditional love story between two young, white, earnest, affluent people, set against an 18th-century backdrop of slavery and abolitionism. But that just can't fly in 2014. The institution of slavery just cannot play dramaturgical second fiddle — especially when we keep seeing the male half of the couple surrounded by African bodies in chains. No way."
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"Religion is touched on, but not so much that the show isn't right for the commercial Broadway theater. It very much is. But is it ready for it?...The show is almost there, but not quite...If there are a few dramatic points left to be made, and perhaps a few bumps in continuity or motivation to be identified, those are minor compared to the achievement on stage."
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"The piece seems to have hopes of becoming an historical musical epic of the Les Misérables variety, but it lacks the latter's clarity of storytelling, compelling hero, or its rousing anthems or lovely ballads...The caliber of talent hired for the cast and creative team shows the producers have faith in the project. With some heavy rewriting of book and score, they might have a chance."
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"The musical comes with a back story almost as intriguing (and true) as the one it spins about the creation of the hymn whose title it bears. For the show’s score — and it is a uniformly solid, always fervent and often soaring piece of work full of well-crafted lyrics and character-driven melodies — happens to be the first professional effort of a complete unknown...Gabriel Barre’s direction is clean and crisp, if, like the show as a whole, a bit wooden."
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""Amazing" isn't the right adjective, not yet anyway, for this big new musical with Broadway intentions. "Ambitious" applies, certainly, but unfortunately "adequate" or "acceptable" would also work."
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"What’s missing is that particular spark, that crucial moment when the audience sees Newton finding his spiritual foundation and becoming inspired to write 'Amazing Grace.' This universally-loved hymn, which the audience has been waiting to hear seems, at this stage, to be tacked onto the end of the musical, almost as an afterthought. With so many sweet sounds and moving performances emanating from this production, the promise of the entire story behind the hymn is missing."
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"The producers of 'Amazing Grace' have hired some of the best in the business and these actors and designers give us their “A” game. But a musical’s gotta have music you want to hear again and again, and a character or two you pull for. Otherwise, you have a show like this – which is not wretched, but neither is it amazing."
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"The show ends with a stirring rendition of the song “Amazing Grace” that seemed to be an after thought. Of course, that was the only memorable song in the show...'Amazing Grace' needs to be re-thought. The Treasure Island style adventure needs to be squelched. As it now plays, there are some impressive moments and wonderful staging with terrific performances but we need to see more of how and why Newton’s epiphany occurred to believe it."
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"An inspirational powerhouse. (Bring tissues, it’s a tearjerker.) It’s reprised during the curtain call and the standing ovation is only paused so the audience can sing along. 'Amazing Grace' is a family classic in the making. The musical is on its way to becoming as beloved as the song itself."
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"In all honesty, I suspect 'Amazing Grace' needs a major overhaul to make it on Broadway. John Newton needs to be a specific individual we can care about rather than a generic angry young man, and all the other characters, Black and white, need to be real, complex people. The story needs to include more about what happened after his conversion, and the overblown scenes need to be trimmed and tightened. As it stands, the show is worth seeing only for a few of the performances."
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"Connects with audiences in many ways with messages of inspiration, seasoned with romance, humor and history...All of these talent greats are surrounded by a lush and expansive visual element, including remarkable set designs, lighting and costumes. This is a stage triumph not to be missed and an example of theater at its finest."
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"From early in Act I, when Newton was spearheading the auctioning and mistreatment of slaves, to deep into Act II, when despite a number of travails including being held captive, the protagonist remained a petulant asshole, I found the whole thing rather off-putting... And besides the parts of Amazing Grace I really didn't like, most of the rest--including the pre-answered question about whether Newton would find salvation--I just didn't much care about."
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"So was it worth the hype? Mostly, yes...One area that many believe needs work is Newton's somewhat fairytale, unrealistic conversion from bad guy to good guy...The rousing final scene in the show where the entire cast sings 'Amazing Grace' and the audience joins in resulting in a standing ovation shows the potential of this work in progress--a musical well worth seeing."
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"The best thing I can say about 'Amazing Grace,' the newest out of town “tryout” to reach Chicago, is that it’s not terrible. Does that mean 'Amazing Grace' is good? Well, I wouldn’t go quite that far. But 'Amazing Grace' does have a lot of satisfying potential right now: a majority of the cast is stunning, the vocals are astounding, the costumes are gorgeous, and most importantly there is a real sincere heart behind the work that is really admirable."
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"Astonishing, awesome, stupendous, spectacular, thrilling, mesmerizing, extraordinary, exceptional, and incredible!...This is an amazing, lump-in-your-throat, tears-down-your-cheek wondrous production that on opening night had the audience bolting from their seats in cheering, thunderous applause."
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"This 'pre-Broadway' Equity production packed with fine songs, stirring adventure, and amazing stage effects—not to mention an ensemble's worth of terrific performances—is absolutely riveting. From the moment charismatic Newton enters, we want to know the story of this gifted young man, who told no lie when he called himself a wretch."
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"Throughout the entire musical, I awaited John's creation of this everlasting ballad. I wanted to see him recognize why he was writing these words, and what he was learning about the world and himself...we spend most of the time loathing John for his despicable actions and venomous words, and barely have time to celebrate with him his changing moments before the musical concludes."
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"No toe tapping tunes that you will be singing on the way home, but a somber reflection of the script’s story…the horror of human slavery...A powerhouse cast and some amazing staging effects will make this show a certain Broadway success."
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"An impressive show that hits all the right notes. It’s dramatic and funny, beautifully designed and creatively staged, with an excellent cast and memorable music...The show tends to get a little jingoistic at times, even to the point of discomfort."
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"'Amazing Grace' seems to miss its story’s larger ramifications about the human condition...But in a show awash with rousing sentiment and “redemption,” such a blind spot diminished my opinion of the show. I nonetheless enjoyed 'Amazing Grace.' Though it’s problematic in a macro way, it nevertheless successfully examines personal relationships...'Amazing Grace' is a well-performed musical worth seeing."
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"It look me a while to warm to 'Amazing Grace' beyond my early admiration for its splendid physical and aural designs. But once the dramatic incidents started to pile up, the narrative became compulsive watching...Its affinity with the hymn “Amazing Grace” is inconsequential but no matter. The real John Newton may not recognize the biographical story we see on the stage, but the show has spirit, spectacle, ambition, and professionalism. I like its chances in the Big Apple."
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"Many moving and touching moments throughout, but merely functional rather than transcendent, particularly with its clunky exposition, the lack of a truly rousing ensemble opening number and a by-the-numbers feel to the assignment of songs to some characters...Without more work on its script and score, this vessel won't survive the treacherous waters of Broadway."
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"'Amazing Grace' is a diverse play that caters to the interests of history buffs and musical theater fans alike. Despite the awkward staging, the singing and the creative special effects made up for it. The ending number 'Amazing Grace' is sung by the whole company, and each diverse voice harmonizes together to sum up the the historical, spiritual play that brings to light the story of an acclaimed hymn."
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"Amazing Grace is one of the most incredible plays I have ever seen...a story that’s historically accurate, but which also flows the way a theatrical musical production must flow...Plays like Amazing Grace come along only about once a decade, if we’re lucky."
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"Epic, grand, lavish, powerful, the Pre-Broadway run of Amazing Grace has officially opened and what a musical debut it is...Amazing Grace shows immense promise. And one could easily predict this will join the other sweeping, epic productions like Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera into Broadway History."
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"There are some obvious emotional denouements here and the shoehorned ending allows for no true examination into Newton’s creative songwriting process, resolving things on a slightly uneven note. But, overall, the delicious antics level out even the most deliriously religious aspects of the piece, making for an evening that even nonbelievers can enjoy...one of the most interesting spectacles of the fall season."
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