AMAZING GRACE is Broadway-Bound and Seeking a Theatre

Producer Carolyn Rossi Colpeland revealed to The New York Times that she is in search of a spot on Broadway for the musical AMAZING GRACE.

"I hope the theater owners decide there should be a place for a show like AMAZING GRACE on Broadway, because we think it will be inspirational for the general public," said AMAZING GRACE lead producer Copeland. They have already raised $10 million for the show, which makes AMAZING GRACE an attractive prospect to Broadway theatre owners for a 2015 opening.

AMAZING GRACE is in the middle of its world premiere and pre-Broadway tryout at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre, starring Josh Young as John Newton.

Though faith-based musicals, including SCANDALOUS, LEAP OF FAITH, and SISTER ACT, have not fared well on Broadway in the last few years, the AMAZING GRACE team sees their show as different because it includes more blatantly Christian content, appealing directly to religious patrons.

Investor Brian Middleton says, "I have six kids, and we would like to go to a Broadway show that appealed to a certain set of values, but we get tired of seeing ANNIE."

AMAZING GRACE is a new musical with music and lyrics by Christopher Smith and a book by Christopher Smith and Arthur Giron, directed by Gabriel Barre (Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party) and choreographed by Tony Award® winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies). It will play Chicago through Sunday, November 2.

AMAZING GRACE stars Tony Award nominee® Josh Young (Jesus Christ Superstar), Erin Mackey (NY Philharmonic's concert production of Sweeney Todd, Chaplin), 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, Hon eymoon in Vegas), Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!), and Laiona Michelle (The Book of Mormon national tour).

The ensemble also features Marie Juliette Abney, Erica Aubrey, Leslie Becker, Sara Brophy,Rheaume Crenshaw, Miquel Edson, Mike Evariste, Sean Ewing, Rachael Ferrera, Savannah Frazier, Christopher Gurr, Abdur-Rahim Jackson, Allen Kendall, Elizabeth Ward Land, Michael Dean Morgan, Vince Oddo, Oneika Phillips, Clifton Samuels, Gavriel Savit, Dan Sharkey, Bret Shuford, Evan Alexander Smith, Uyoata Udi, Charles E. Wallace, Toni Elizabeth White and Hollie E. Wright.

Produced by Carolyn Rossi Copeland and presented by Broadway In Chicago, Amazing Grace is a world premiere musical based on the awe-inspiring true story behind the world's most beloved song. A captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, this radiant production follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change.

John Newton (Josh Young), a willful and musically talented young Englishman, faces a future as uncertain as the turning tide. Coming of age as Britain sits atop an international empire of slavery, he finds himself torn between following in the footsteps of his father - a slave trader - and embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart (Erin Mackey). An unforgettable musical saga, AMAZING GRACE captures the spirit of history's sweetest and most powerful sound: freedom.