The riveting, real-life story behind the popular hymn “Amazing Grace” is currently being told on Broadway, with producer Carolyn Rossi Copeland aiming to entertain audiences, while informing them about the harrowing events that led to the penning of the beloved song.
What makes the musical debut of “Amazing Grace” so unique is the fact that it deals with faith — a theme that is rarely seen in theaters.
Copeland recently told The Church Boys that audiences are in for a true story about how love, hope, forgiveness and redemption converged in the life of British abolitionist and “Amazing Grace” writer John Newton, who lived from 1725 until 1807.
When asked whether there were any moments in which she felt as though it was “definitely God” at work as she and her team prepared for the show to hit Broadway, Copeland pointed to the summer opening of “Amazing Grace” as being perfectly — and divinely — timed.
“We were waiting for a theater December, January, February, March, April — then we finally get the theater at the end of April and we’re in previews the week that this horror happens in our country,” she said, speaking of the tragic June shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. “And the president sings ‘Amazing Grace’ and all of the sudden we have requests to do national television...”
What makes the musical debut of “Amazing Grace” so unique is the fact that it deals with faith — a theme that is rarely seen in theaters.
Copeland recently told The Church Boys that audiences are in for a true story about how love, hope, forgiveness and redemption converged in the life of British abolitionist and “Amazing Grace” writer John Newton, who lived from 1725 until 1807.
When asked whether there were any moments in which she felt as though it was “definitely God” at work as she and her team prepared for the show to hit Broadway, Copeland pointed to the summer opening of “Amazing Grace” as being perfectly — and divinely — timed.
“We were waiting for a theater December, January, February, March, April — then we finally get the theater at the end of April and we’re in previews the week that this horror happens in our country,” she said, speaking of the tragic June shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. “And the president sings ‘Amazing Grace’ and all of the sudden we have requests to do national television...”
