Romance, Rebellion, Redemption! Meet the Full Cast of AMAZING GRACE, Opening Tonight on Broadway

Broadway's new musical AMAZING GRACE officially opens tonight, July 16, at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street). The show stars Tony Award nominee Josh Young, Erin Mackey, Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper, Tom Hewitt, Chris Hoch, Stanley Bahorek, Harriett D. Foy, Laiona Michelle, Rachael Ferrera and Elizabeth Ward Land. Scroll down to learn more about the cast, plus check out interviews with the company!

The ensemble features Leslie Becker, Sara Brophy, Rheaume Crenshaw, Miquel Edson,Mike Evariste, Sean Ewing, Savannah Frazier, Christopher Gurr, Allen Kendall, 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, Hollie E. Wright.

The new musical features 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).

AMAZING GRACE is a new original 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 (Tony Award nominee 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 - or embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart (Erin Mackey). Accompanied by his slave, Thomas (Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper), John embarks on a perilous voyage on the high seas. When that journey finds John in his darkest hour, a transformative moment of self-reckoning inspires a blazing anthem of hope that will finally guide him home.

Brimming with emotion and adventure, Amazing Grace is an unforgettable musical saga that captures the spirit of history's sweetest and most powerful sound: freedom.

JOSH YOUNG
(John Newton)

Josh Young (John Newton). "John Newton" in the world premiere of Amazing Grace at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre (Broadway World Award). Broadway/National Tour: "Judas" in Jesus Christ Superstar (Tony Award Nomination & Theatre World Award); "Che" in Evita (Broadway World Award); "Marius" in Les Miserables; and "Tony" in The 50th Anniversary International Tour of West Side Story. Two seasons at The Stratford Shakespeare Festival including "Connie Rivers" in Grapes of Wrath (Broadway World Award). BFA Syracuse University. Solo albums available at Amazing Grace's merchandise stand / iTunes. Love to Mom, Dad, Dena & Doug, CRC, Soffer/Namoff, Allan & Rena.

ERIN MACKEY
(Mary Catlett)

Mackey has appeared on Broadway in Chaplin (Oona), Anything Goes (Hope), Wicked (Glinda), and Sondheim on Sondheim. She played Johanna in Lincoln Center's Sweeney Todd with the NY Philharmonic (also broadcast on PBS). NYC/Regional: the world premiere of Amazing Grace (Mary) in Chicago, Lady Be Good (Shirley) at Encores!, South Pacific (Nellie) at Paper Mill Playhouse, Light in the Piazza (Clara) at South Coast Repertory, I Remember Mama (Katrin) at the York Theatre, and Phantom (Christine) at PCLO. Film/TV credits: The Parent Trap, Blue Bloods, Gossip Girl, and the upcoming film, The Intern.

TOM HEWITT
(Captain Newton)

Broadway: Includes Doctor Zhivago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, Dracula, Boys from Syracuse, Rocky Horror Show (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), The Lion King, Sisters Rosenswieg. National tours: Urinetown, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Peter Pan. Off-Broadway: Another Medea, Treasure Island, Jeffrey, Beau Jest (Outer Critics nomination). Recent Regional Credits: Amazing Grace (Broadway in Chicago), Irma Vep (BTG), Spamalot (PCLO, TUTS, Starlight), Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (La Jolla Playhouse), Travesties (Long Wharf, CT Critics Award). Film and TV: Law and Order, All My Children, Julie Taymor's Fool's Fire.

CHUCK COOPER
(Thomas)

Cooper has been featured?in 13?Broadway shows?in every theatrical genre?from Shakespeare to musical comedy. He has been awarded the Tony Award, The Lucille Lortel Award, The San Diego Critics' Circle Award, The Audelco Award, and Two Drama Desk Nominations. Guest starring TV appearances include House of Cards, Madam Secretary, Nurse Jackie, andMuhammad Ali's Greatest Fight. His favorite role is Eddie, Alex and Lilli's father. He is gratefully married to playwright Deborah Brevoort.

CHRIS HOCH
(Major Archibald Gray)

Broadway: Matilda, La Cage aux Folles, Shrek, Spamalot, Dracula, Beauty and the Beast. National Tours: Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast. Off-Broadway: Far From Heaven, Die, Mommie, Die!, Face the Music (Encores!). Regional: Dracula, Doctor Zhivago, Palm Beach, Private Fittings (La Jolla Playhouse), Far From Heaven (Williamstown), Amazing Grace (Goodspeed), Next To Normal (Hangar Theatre), Spamalot (Muny), Candide (Prince Music Theatre), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (City Theatre). Television: 30 Rock, Guiding Light, All My Children, The Good Wife, Gossip Girl. BFA: Carnegie-Mellon University.

STANLEY BAHOREK
(Robert Haweis)

Broadway & Off-Broadway: ...Spelling Bee (Circle in the Square), February House (Public), Queen of the Mist and See Rock City (Transport Group), Inventing Avi (Abingdon), The Explorers Club (MTC), Little Me (Encores!). Regional: title roles in Amadeus (Alley), Candide (5th Avenue), Nerds (Philadelphia). National Tour: Deaf West's Big River. Director: Act Normal. TV/film: Boardwalk Empire, wrote and co-directed the films Honey, We're Home and Sent By Hand. Teacher for TDF's Accessibility Program. Graduate of The University of Michigan.

HARRIETT D. FOY
(Princess Peyai)

Broadway: The American Plan, Mamma Mia!. Off-Broadway: Total Bent, On the Levee (AUDELCO Nomination), Crowns(AUDELCO Award). Regional: Breath & Imagination (ArtsEmerson), The House That Will Not Stand (Berkeley Rep - Theater Bay Award, Yale Rep - CT Critics nomination), LMNOP, Amazing Grace (Goodspeed), The Women of Brewster Place, Polk County (Arena Stage - Helen Hayes nominations), dance of the holy ghosts (Yale Rep), Ambassador Satch(Dubai). Film: Winter's Tale. Television: Orange is the New Black, Rescue Me. Howard University. "WGATAP!"

LAIONA MICHELLE
(Nanna)

Broadway debut. Most recently: first national tour of The Book of Mormon. Awards: recipient NAACP for Constant Star, Nominated Helen Hayes 2005 Best Lead Actress in Yellowman at Arena Stage. Theatre: Goodspeed Opera House, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse, Syracuse Theatre Company, Virginia Stage Company, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Theatre Festival. TV/Film credits: Law and Order, All My Children, Life. MFA Brandeis University, Proud ASU Hornet.

RACHAEL FERRERA
(Yema)

Ferrera is ecstatic and immensely grateful to be making her Broadway debut in Amazing Grace! Recipient of the 2014 Planet Connections Outstanding Lead Actress Award for her role in Keelay Gipson's The Lost. Other favorite roles includeRagtime (Sarah), West Side Story (Maria), Marie Christine (Lisette), Boeing Boeing (Gloria). BFA: NYU. Special thanks to Harold and Cyd at CLA, Mom, and Alex! "Love lives in the air-that's all that's there. So Breathe..."

ELIZABETH WARD LAND
(Mrs. Catlett)

Broadway: Scandalous, Memphis, The Scarlet Pimpernel (all three versions), Passion, City of Angels. National Tours:Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Les Miserables, Prisoner of Second Avenue, Singin' in the Rain.Off-Broadway: The Green Heart, Hello Again, Chess. Regional: Old Globe, Goodspeed, Theatreworks, Alliance, Sacramento Music Circus, Pasadena Playhouse, Asolo Rep., Barrington Stage. FILM/TV: Young Adult, Boy Meets Girl, The Blacklist, Madam Secretary, Law & Order: SVU, Boardwalk Empire.

LESLIE BECKER
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Bonnie & Clyde, Anything Goes, Nine. Tours: Wicked, Cinderella, Show Boat, Beauty/Beast. Regional: Over 50 starring roles including Ragtime, King and I, and Hello Dolly. Bestselling author of The Organized Actor. Thanks Gabe!

SARA BROPHY
(Ensemble)

Broadway debut! Off-Broadway: Iron Curtain, Butt-Cracker. Nat'l Tour: Damn Yankees! (Lola) "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

RHEAUME CRENSHAW
(Ensemble)

Broadway Debut. Credits include: Amazing Grace (Broadway in Chicago), The Golem of Havana (Barrington Stage/LaMama), Yeast Nation... (NYFringe), Full Monty (Paper Mill Playhouse), Black Nativity (Congo Square/Goodman Theatre), Home: The Musical (St. Louis Black Rep.). Thanking God and family.

MIQUEL EDSON
(Ensemble)

Broadway Debut!! Born in Suriname, South America. Credits: Carnival (Goodspeed), West Side Story (West End). Opera/Dance: Enchanted Island, Armida (Met Opera), & Philadanco! Much love to: Mom, friends, AG family, and The Price Group.

MIKE EVARISTE
(Ensemble)

Broadway: Hair, South Pacific, Les Miserables. Tours: Book of Mormon, Rent, Fame. Tony Nominated Producer for Broadway's Disgraced. FSU Grad! Much love and thanks to my beautiful wife Tiffany, Nanny, Maya, Pato, my family, Posse, and Fame-ly!

SEAN EWING
(Ensemble)

Beyond ecstatic to be telling this amazing story with this cast! Broadway: West Side Story (Revival). New York: Company (NY Philharmonic), Zorba, Fanny (Encores!). Endless love to CGF, family and friends, especially Mom, Dad, and Marla!

SAVANNAH FRAZIER
(Ensemble)

Broadway debut! Favorite roles include: Laurey (Oklahoma!, Lyric Stage of Dallas), Hazel (Hazel Flagg, Theatre Row), Marc Antony (Julius Caesar, Theatre 54), Helena (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Nashville Shakespeare Festival). All the love in the world to dear friends, family, and Kyle.

CHRISTOPHER GURR
(Ensemble)

Broadway: All the Way, Kinky Boots. National Tours: Spamalot, Memphis. Regional: George Street Playhouse, Geva Theatre, Indiana Rep, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Human Race. Union member: Actors' Equity, SDC, SAG-AFTRA. Thanks to BRS/Gage and McCorkle Casting.

ALLEN KENDALL
(Ensemble)

Broadway debut. Tours: The Phantom of the Opera, Annie. Regional: 33 Variations, Les Miserables, The Full Monty. Web series: Rules of Cool. Grateful for the blessings of Amazing Grace. For my parents, now and always.

MICHAEL DEAN MORGAN
(Ensemble)

Broadway Debut! National Tours: Mary Poppins (Mr. Banks), The Lion King (Zazu). Full credits at MichaelDeanMorgan.com. MFA UC-Irvine, BA Carroll University (WI). Grace is Family (Shana, Dean & Avery).

VINCE ODDO
(Ensemble)

Recent credits include Unforgettable (CBS), AKA Jessica Jones (Netflix), Rocky Broadway (Rocky U/S), American Idiot(Favorite Son). Many thanks to Hartig Hilepo, Kreindler Mgmt, my family, and my beautiful wife Lauren Lim Jackson.

ONEIKA PHILLIPS
(Ensemble)

"The First Grenadian on Broadway!" Fela! (Broadway/National/International), "Anita" West Side Story (50th Anniversary/International Tour), Tusk A New Musical, In Your Arms, Violet (Broadway, Choreographer's Assistant), Amazing Grace (Chicago). Family, Friends, Teachers, Agents: I stand indebted.

CLIFTON SAMUELS
(Ensemble)

Broadway/Tours: Follies (w/ Bernadette Peters), A Chorus Line, Urban Cowboy. Film/TV: Upcoming Coen Bros. Film, Hail Caesar (opposite Channing Tatum), Annie (2014), Boardwalk Empire (recurring), Alphabet Boys. Love to entire AG team, family, Regina & Judy Boals Inc.

GAVRIEL SAVIT
(Ensemble)

Savit is thrilled to be making his Broadway debut in Amazing Grace. Most recently seen in Zorba! at City Center, starring John Turturro. Look for his debut novel, Anna and the Swallow Man, out from Knopf BFYR in 2016.

DAN SHARKEY
(Ensemble)

Broadway: The Bridges of Madison County, Spider Man: Turn off the Dark, The Music Man, Show Boat (London Co.). Nationals: Grand Hotel, Will Rogers Follies, Sound of Music (w/ Marie Osmond). TV: Herb Crocker on Boardwalk Empire.

BRET SHUFORD
(Swing)

Broadway: The Little Mermaid (OBC), Beauty and the Beast, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (OBC), National Tour: South Pacific.Other Favorites: Next to Normal, Mary Poppins. Television/Web series: Submissions Only, Alpha House. Film: The Wolf of Wall Street, Uncle Melvin's Apartment.

EVAN ALEXANDER SMITH
(Ensemble)

Broadway debut! Canada: Title role in The Toxic Avenger & two seasons at The Shaw Festival. Love & thanks to the entire AG team, McCorkle Casting, Harden-Curtis, my family & my amazing wife, Sarah.

UYOATA UDI
(Ensemble)

Udi, of Nigerian descent, hails from Los Angeles. Attends The University of the Arts on full scholarship. Mentored by Karen McDonald. Professional Credits include: Amazing Grace (Pre-Broadway), Fela! (World Tour). Performed for the Obamas (White House).

CHARLES E. WALLACE
(Ensemble)

Wallace is honored to be a part of Amazing Grace. Broadway credits: Miss Saigon (John), Smokey Joe's Café, and Jekyll & Hyde. Off-Broadway: MTC's Choir Boy, Harlem Song (Apollo Theatre), Dinah Was, etc. God Bless.

TONI ELIZABETH WHITE
(Ensemble)

Broadway Debut! Off-Broadway: A Tree Grows... (Gwen). Tours: Guys & Dolls, National; Aida, China (U/S Aida); Aida, National (Swing); and other Regional credits. Thanks to God, the team, my team (Naomi & Todd). Love and gratitude to Mom & Dad.

HOLLIE E. WRIGHT
(Swing)

Broadway: Hot Feet. Tour/Regional: The 1st National The Color Purple, Sophisticated Ladies, Oklahoma!. Film/TV:Beloved, Black Girls Rock 2013, Glee Concert Dance: Philadanco Choreography: Party City; Currently Jazz Chair, The Ailey School. Thanks Family, Friends, MSA! Love, Gratitude, and Grace.