Casting has been completed for the world premiere of Amazing Grace, the new slave-trade-themed musical by Christopher Smith and Arthur Giron. Previews begin October 9 at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre for a brief run scheduled for October 19 - November 2.
The cast will be led by Tony Award nominee Josh Young (Jesus Christ Superstar) as real-life English poet and clergyman John Newton, author of the words to the hymn "Amazing Grace." Newton was pressed into Royal Navy service, participated in the slave trade for years and led a very adventurous life before his religious conversion. In the show he struggles between the evils of the family business (the slave trade) and the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart.
The musical is described as a "captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption" and a "radiant production [that] follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change."
Erin Mackey (Oona O'Neill in Chaplin: The Musical, Glinda in Wicked), Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show), Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper (Act One, The Life), Chris Hoch (Matilda, Far From Heaven), Stanley Bahorek (Nerds, Honeymoon in Vegas), Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!) and Laiona Michelle (The Book of Mormon national tour) will co-star.
Carolyn Rossi Copeland produces the musical directed by Gabriel Barre, with choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies).
For more information visit Broadway in Chicago.
