Amazing Grace NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (194)
See it if you want to see a very cool staging of a near drowning you want to hear a great rendition of the song amazing grace
Don't see it if you are looking for a feel good about the world show
See it if you want to hear the best rendition of Amazing Grace ever
Don't see it if you are hoping for the resonance the film had; they somehow didn't build the emotional significance throughout
See it if You love historical musicals, no matter how weak the material.
Don't see it if You expect this to be a religious experience.
See it if you want to hear beautiful singing from the cast.
Don't see it if because the clunky book and direction requires another edit to smooth the show over.
See it if you want to see performers try their hardest with subpar material.
Don't see it if you need a story that is more original or music that will affect you in any way
See it if you like history and are interested in learning the history of the song.
Don't see it if you are looking for a fast-paced show.
See it if You would like to learn about a slave trader from the late 1800's who happened to find God and write a song.
Don't see it if You expect to see a profound and in-depth show about the true slave experience from any point of view other than the slave traders side.
See it if you enjoy pseudo-historical musicals, wonderful stagecraft (particularly the end of act one), and shows that have (unmet) potential...
Don't see it if you are a stickler for perfectly written shows or are expecting the music to be as well-crafted as the title song.
Critic Reviews (68)
"'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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"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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"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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"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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