Amazing Grace Non-Union Tour

[RippedMan]

So apparently "Amazing Grace" is opening the new Bible Museum in DC and then embarking on a national tour. But I haven't seen it on any tour schedules, so not sure where it's going? 

[Laurapattifan]

I saw there is one performance at Proctors in Schenectady

[Scarywarhol]

This is so sad. 

[RippedMan]

I mean, I think it will honestly probably do pretty well regionally. It's not a great show by any means, but they seem to be trying to make it work. 

[bdboston]

It will also be playing at the Shubert Theater in New Haven for three days in Jan. 2018.

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

d'aww, this casually racist tuner is still happening? cute. White savior complex for everyone! 

[JennH]

MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "d'aww, this casually racist tuner is still happening? cute. White savior complex for everyone! 

 

"

It's...what happened...what am I missing? I won't claim it to be 100% accurate, but it's HISTORY. If it were a piece written and taking place in the modern day, yes I'd totally get what you're saying, but if you're going to do a show based on history, what exactly were you expecting?

[ebontoyan]

Good for those involved to try to make their show work on the road.  I love this show and saw it in Chicago (tryout) and NYC.  I wish it was in the season tix package in Des Moines, IA, replace Waitress in the package which I have no interest to see again! 

[kdogg36]

JennH said: "MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "I won't claim it to be 100% accurate, but it's HISTORY. If it were a piece written and taking place in the modern day, yes I'd totally get what you're saying, but if you're going to do a show based on history, what exactly were you expecting?"

With regard to the charge of racism, it sort of pins slavery at least as much on a weird female African character as any of the white folks. That seems to be more a product of the creators' mind than anything else.

It's also rather explicitly anti-atheist, in a way that twists John Newton's real history. The show portrays the protagonist pretty much simultaneously finding Jesus and turning his back on slavery. In fact, the historical Newton remained a slave trader for years after converting to Christianity. (Of course, this shouldn't be surprising to anyone who's read the bible.)

[JennH]

kdogg36 said: "JennH said: "MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "I won't claim it to be 100% accurate, but it's HISTORY. If it were a piece written and taking place in the modern day, yes I'd totally get what you're saying, but if you're going to do a show based on history, what exactly were you expecting?"

With regard to the charge of racism, it sort of pins slavery at least as much on a weird female African character as any of the white folks. That seems to be more a product of the creators' mind than anything else.

It's also rather explicitly anti-atheist, in a way that twists John Newton's real history. The show portrays the protagonist pretty much simultaneously finding Jesus and turning his back on slavery. In fact, the historical Newton remained a slave trader for years after converting to Christianity. (Of course, this shouldn't be surprising to anyone who's read the bible.)

 

"

Ok, gotcha. Yes, I've read much of it, but that still slightly surprises me merely because I've never been all up on true historical Newton himself. One can be familiar with the Bible and still not be wholly aware of Newton's whole history, but I see the overall point of the show itself. 

[zainmax]

I liked the show, but I think that it should have come under a different title for marketing purposes. Do you have any clue whether or not the tour will have the same shipwreck scene? It was quite memorable, at least from the version that I saw in Chicago.

Also, I think that it will be mounted at the Tilles Center on Long Island.

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

JennH said: "MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "d'aww, this casually racist tuner is still happening? cute. White savior complex for everyone! 

 

"

It's...what happened...what am I missing? I won't claim it to be 100% accurate, but it's HISTORY. If it were a piece written and taking place in the modern day, yes I'd totally get what you're saying, but if you're going to do a show based on history, what exactly were you expecting?

 

"

Oh where to begin. The show starts out with a black character (Chuck Cooper on Bway) who says something along the lines of "Amazing Grace, I bet you know this song, but I bet you don't know the history behind it. Well, I was there and I can tell you the story"

At this point, the audience thinks (or at least I did): oh cool, we will get the black slave perspective on this historical era. Well, that narrative aspect is sidelined for the rest of the show and instead we are treated to a love story between the two white leads. The main thrust of the story is "oh gosh, do you think these young attractive people will get together? They come from different walks of life and the guy is like soooo torn about being in the slave business and is reeeeallly internally upset about it." 

Meanwhile, the African characters are all wearing dirty looking garments, that look like rags. Mind you, they are not American slaves yet. And the "big bad" slave owner is a black woman, effectively taking the burden of slave ownership off the young white man and freeing him up to sing more identical sounding love ballads without the audience feeling icky about it. 

And as kdogg has noted: the entire musical is created as one big ol' come to Jesus. Newton suddenly finds "faith" amid a storm at sea and magically realizes the error of his ways! ....even though Newton owned slaves long after converting to christianity. Just like how plenty of Christians owned slaves in that time. It also treats being a non-christian as the worst thing in the world (not just in historical context, but the subtext of everything makes it very clear that the creators of this musical believe this too). 

If there were any interesting or catchy songs in the show perhaps I wouldn't hate it so much. But the music is downright painful, and not even in a "so bad its good" way. Also: there was a full 2 minute scene change where 2 identically ugly wooden panels switched places on stage (so, the stage picture didnt change..at all) because Im sure some misguided soul thought "we need some movement here." Without a doubt the worst thing I've seen on Broadway...and a strong contender for worst thing I've seen in any venue.

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

And yes, the shipwreck scene was cool...and it was even cooler when Little Meramid did the same effect several years before.

[Marlothom]

And Tarzan before that. 

[RippedMan]

It's playing for 2 months at the museum of the Bible in DC - which, religious views aside, the theater is really cool! The ceiling and walls are all a projection screen so could make for some really cool moments and I'd imagine for that sit down it will be the same show. The entire Broadway team is returning to direct and everything and judging from the sides I was given it looks like they've revised some lyrics and the script.