We Were There: Broadway’s Newest Original Musical Amazing Grace

There’s an ongoing joke in my family that if I could stay in school forever I would, simply because I love to learn, just not always in the traditional sense. Sometimes it takes beyond a classroom to truly learn and live something, that’s what Amazing Grace taught me, amongst other things. Written by Christopher Smith,  Amazing Grace tells the true story behind one of the world’s most beloved song that I grew to love and learn from an early age, I just never knew where it came from. Amazing Grace does just that, it not only teaches you the songs rich origin, but it also makes the words come to life right before your very eyes.

Before the show began, the set was an image of the British flag plastered on a scrim, that dissolved into silhouettes of dancing women to the sounds of an upbeat drum as the lights dimmed and the show began. The scene changes drastically as the silhouettes that were once joyous, raise their hands overhead and ropes come down. Almost immediately I told myself, oh it’s about to get real. And real it got, there were scenes that were downright uncomfortable for me to watch, because I was angry about the historic event that was played with so much truth right before me. Thanks to my history and black studies classes, I know all about the slave auction, but the rawness of that scene truly moved me in a way I hadn’t known before. The actors gave 100% of their all to play the disparity and anguish that our ancestors had to go through.

Speaking of the cast, they were particularly solid having 100% of the company transferred from the Chicago run to the Broadway debut, a rarity.  The show featured powerful performances by all involved, though Chuck Cooper, Laiona Michelle, and Harriett D. Foy stood out to me most.

Tony Award Winner and Broadway vet Chuck Cooper brings enormous strength and subtle vulnerability to his character Thomas whose purpose in the musical is meaningful and enlightening. In particular his solo, “Nowhere Left To Run” rendered me speechless.

The moment Harriett D. Foy appears on stage as Princess Peyai, she is a force to be reckoned with. Moving about the stage, slithering almost snakelike, her sultry movements and vivacious attitude draw you in almost immediately. You find yourself wanting to root for her, even if she was technically one of the antagonists.

In her Broadway debut, Laiona Michelle was such a joy to watch and brought me to tears more than once. Her performance as Nanna, servant to Erin Mackeys Mary, was an astonishing one. Her solo “Daybreak” gave me absolute chills, as she sang out into the audience, I could feel her pain, I felt her joy, I felt her hope.

Did I mention the set? There’s a moment, I won’t ruin it, before intermission that makes you question whether or not you are in the Nederlander Theatre or watching a 3D movie. So much attention to detail was given not only in the set but in lighting, costumes, hair and even the fight/military movement.

When the cast finally sang amazing Grace it all made sense, everything came full circle. Suddenly there was more weight to those words than there was before. After watching the story unfold before my eyes those past two hours, the words they finally sang at the end became richer and more urgent. Truly, it was a treat to sit in those seats and experience the moving piece of theater that was Amazing Grace.

I highly recommend this show for anyone who wants to learn about a historic song in such a unique way. I’m even tempted to take some of my students in the fall!

The show is officially open on Broadway and tickets can be purchased here, by calling 877-250-2929, or in person at the Nederlander Theatre Box Office (208 W. 41st St., btwn 7th & 8th Aves.)