Amazing Grace NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (194)
See it if Like an interesting story and musicals
Don't see it if You don't want to hear about slavery
See it if You're interested in learning about the man who wrote "Amazing Grace", and/or the British slave trade.
Don't see it if You're looking for something more lighthearted and funny.
See it if you are interested in the history of this song, southern American history, a Christian experience, etc.
Don't see it if slaves in cages, slave auctions, etc., will upset you. This is not a light entertainment; it is a man's awakening and it gets rough at times
See it if you are into history
Don't see it if you want something more light-hearted.
See it if like Christian based plays.
Don't see it if don't want to know about the slave trade.
See it if you can forgive its weaknesses to see a timely story that reminds us how we brought the race issues and conflicts we see today on ourselves.
Don't see it if you can't look past its flaws (including that the protagonist's redemption comes so late in the show you already irrevocably hate him).
See it if you like great performances combined with a history lesson. One of the most beautifully staged scenes occurs right before intermission
Don't see it if you're looking for light and fluffy
See it if You enjoy a soaring score with great vocalists and a story rooted in history.
Don't see it if You're looking for light fluffy fare
Critic Reviews (68)
"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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"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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"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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"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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