Erin Mackey and Josh Young
Photo: Joan Marcus
Far from light-hearted but deeply felt and spiritedly envisioned, Amazing Grace impressively joins the much heralded Hamilton as another stirring historical period musical adventure. This ambitious new musical is set during the mid 18th century with music and lyrics by Christopher Smith. The book by Smith and Arthur Giron is based on the tumultuous/conflicted life of English slave trader John Newton (Josh Young) who is primarily known for writing the beloved hymn that gives the musical its apt name.
Despairingly real events and dastardly doings are primarily afoot under the superb direction of Gabriel Barre. The compelling story follows the head-strong and brash Newton's defiance of his autocratic father Captain Newton (Splendid performance by Tom Hewitt, the owner of a slave trading company, through his progressive misfortunes and eventual redemption.
The musical asks the question: Will he at long last earn the respect of the beautiful Mary (Erin Mackey) the woman he has loved since his youth? Well, we know the answer. But this comes after years of profiting in the slave trade, well learned from the family-run business in Chatham, England. It is Newton's willful misadventures and his misguided values that make him an interesting if also atypical anti-hero. To read the entire review please use link to CurtainUp.com.
<a href="www.curtainup.com/AmazingGrace.html">Amazing Grace </a>
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