Interview: Josh Young and AMAZING GRACE

I caught up with Josh once again to celebrate his success in the Broadway Premier of "AMAZING GRACE" slotted to preview on Broadway on June 25, 2015.

Josh became associated with Amazing Grace in 2009 having done 5 readings/workshops of the production and the world premiere in Chicago last fall. This intriguing new musical puts Josh as one of the leads in the production.

Pati Buehler: Josh, so great to see you back on Broadway in a most stimulating new musical and based on a true story. Some theatrical workshops sadly never transfer or materialize into a big stage production. Having done the workshops did you get a feeling that this show was destined for big things?

JY: Yes, I always thought this show would "have legs" as they say. I think the source material for the musical is among the best ever considered.

PB: I'm hearing that the sets are awesome. Can you elaborate?

JY: Yea, they have to be. Our set designer, Tony Award Winner Eugene Lee, has outdone himself. This show is set in the seaside town of Chatham, England, Sierra Leone, Africa, and Barbados and on the high seas. So to say our design team had their work cut out for them is the understatement of the century. So the answer is yes they are realistic, functional and awesome. You are completely transported to all these places.

PB: How has the audience responded to the pre-Broadway production and why?

JY: Audience reaction has been humbling. We have a theater packed full of people standing and singing with us each night...and the interesting part? We never ask them to stand or sing. I think they're all just so moved by the end of the show having realized the lyrics to Amazing Grace are an encapsulation of the life story they've just witnessed and they can't help but feel part of it all.

Josh Young's theatrical training began at the age of twelve with Media Theatre, and he began studying voice at the Voice Foundation of Philadelphia. As he grew, he continued to train and perform at Upper Darby Summer Stage and Young People's Theatre Workshop (YPTW) at The Player's Club of Swarthmore. Towards the end of Young's high school career, he gained acceptance to the prestigious Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts in Voice in Drama. Young's theater credits include:

Josh originated the role of "John Newton" in the World Premiere of Amazing Grace at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre (Broadway World Award). Broadway: "Judas" in Jesus Christ Superstar (Tony® Award nomination & Theatre World Award). He originated the role of "Che" in the 1st National Tour of the Tony® Nominated Broadway revival of Evita (Broadway World Award). "Marius" in Les Miserables & "Tony" in the 50th Anniversary International Tour of West Side Story. Two seasons at The Stratford Shakespeare Festival: "Connie Rivers" in Grapes of Wrath, "Judas" in Jesus Christ Superstar & "Che" in Evita (Broadway World Awards for each). Josh has performed in North America's finest regional theaters including La Jolla Playhouse, Walnut Street Theater, St. Louis MUNY, Baltimore Center Stage and North Carolina Theatre. He's been involved with new works with NYC's Roundabout Theatre Company and The Transport Group. Co-founder of Cutting-Edge Composers (cuttingedgecomposers.com), a concert and weekly web series on broadwayworld.com, created to give exposure to musical theatre's next generation of songwriters

PB: The story line bears a slight similarity to the epic Les Miserables; a man redeems himself and come to the rescue of those mistreated during difficult times. Do I understand this correctly?

JY: I mean...kinda. Jean Valjean steals a loaf of bread and helps a dying mother and young girl. John Newton is a Slave Trader who buys and sells human beings who eventually testifies first hand accounts before Parliament which leads to the end of the entire African Slave Trade throughout the world...oh and tiny side note....also writes "Amazing Grace"

PB: I have heard some of the music and it is quite compelling and you sing it beautifully. However, I am not familiar with this composer Christopher Smith. Please tell us more about him.

JY: He's actually from PA too. The New Hope area I believe. I think you should give him a call. I can tell you that he is a former cop who just happens to write grand sweeping music and caught the ear of a Broadway producer...but I'm sure he'd love to give you his whole story.

It so refreshing and exciting to see new works being produced that make it to Broadway. Previews begin June 25 at the Nederlander Theatre, NYC. For more info on Amazing Grace, The Musical visit: http://amazinggracemusical.com/ For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com or call 877-250-2929. For more information about Josh Young visit his website at www.josh-young.com

Photo Credits: Icon Photo Josh Young - Josh Young Website

Photo # 1 Chris Hoch, Erin Mackey and Ensemble

Photo # 2 & 3 Josh Young as John Newton

Photo Credits: Joan Marcus