Amazing Grace, music and lyrics by Christopher Smith, book by Christopher Smith and Arthur Giron, is a totally engaging Broadway musical about the life and times (mid 1700’s) of an English song writer who becomes involved in the slave trade and, ultimately, following his sweetie, becomes an abolitionist. The romantic leads, Vince Oddo and Erin Mackey, are good to look at and great to hear sing. They both are top-level performers with charm and charisma.
The music is lyrical, catchy, the lyrics are moving at times including an anthem about freedom. The story is rather simplistic—we already know that black slaves were branded and mostly treated poorly. The play does have some humane whites who do relate well to their servants.
The scenic design by Eugene Lee and Edward Pierce, aided and abetted by lighting design by Ken Billington and Paul Miller, is absolutely brilliant and includes one of the most beautiful effects I have ever seen on any stage: a ship sinks; bodies float under water, sinking and gliding. There is also a vivid battle with explosions and a hurricane. What a show!
Director Gabriel Barre, with choreographer Christopher Gattelli, has done a brilliant, inspired job of putting the show together.
