Amazing Grace NYC Reviews and Tickets

73%

(194 Ratings)

Positive

70%

Mixed

14%

Negative

16%

Members say

Great staging, Thought-provoking, Absorbing, Great acting, Entertaining

About the Show

A musical of romance, rebellion, and redemption, based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world's most beloved song.

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.

Show-Score Member Reviews (194)

Disappointing, Great staging

See it if You like historical theatre, and if you can overlook the weak story for the impressive moments of technical theatre (underwater scene)

Don't see it if You're looking for a strong story.

Disappointing, Slow, Original

See it if you like to listen to Josh Young and Erin Mackey. They sound great. Act I ends on a great visual

Don't see it if maybe just don't

Great staging, Disappointing, Dated, Slow, Excruciating

See it if You're looking to learn a bit the slave trade and witness a semi-interesting story.

Don't see it if You're looking to be constantly engaged by the story, music and score. The songs are long, mediocre and drawn-out.

Disappointing, Great acting, Entertaining, Slow, Quirky

See it if You want to see some great performers in a so-so show.

Don't see it if You find the subject matter offensive.

Banal, Cliched, Slow, Disappointing, Indulgent

See it if you're looking for a show about faith and American history.

Don't see it if you don't care about a somewhat pointless, romanticized history of a songwriter no one really asked for.

Disappointing, Banal, Slow

See it if you want a ho-hum musical about abolition.

Don't see it if you expect a ground breaking spiritual experience.

Cliched, Excruciating, Fluffy, Slow, Disappointing

See it if You are very invested in this story or your own relationship with god

Don't see it if You are not super religious. The show itself is not strong, and most won't relate to the heavy handed religious messages

Cliched, Insipid, Slow

See it if trite, cliche storytelling appeals to you

Don't see it if prefer innovative musicals

Critic Reviews (68)

For a previous production

"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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For a previous production

"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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For a previous production

"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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For a previous production

"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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For a previous production

"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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For a previous production

"'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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For a previous production

"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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For a previous production

"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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Trailer

Creative team