PROGRAM NOTE FROM THE AUTHORS AND DIRECTOR
As a creative team, exploring the astonishing events which led John Newton to
pen the words to “Amazing Grace” in 1772, has been an exhilarating experience.
It has been our privilege to work together to create this original musical about
one of history’s fascinating, yet largely unknown figures. The theatre has a rich
tradition of using history as a jumping off point for telling larger stories. In keeping
with this tradition and practice, we have endeavored, not only to tell the real life
story of John Newton, but also to illuminate the struggles of ordinary men and
women who were prey to the evils of slavery and those who risked everything to
end the hideous practice in Britain. To that end, we have created some characters
and amalgamated some events in the time line to focus on the themes that drew
us to this amazing story of one man’s moral and spiritual transformation and the
impact he had on our world. Slavery still exists today, and sadly on a scale far
beyond that of the era depicted in our musical. And so, with this work, we hope to
recognize and honor all of the victims of slavery, both through the ages and alive
today, as well as the new generation of abolitionists that has arisen to join their
forefathers in standing up for the life, freedom and dignity of all people.
The strength, faith and courage of these men and women, both historical and
contemporary, demand our highest respect, and it is to them that we dedicate this
piece.
For further reading we recommend Out of the Depths, by John Newton, his
autobiography, with additional material by Dennis Hillman.
— Christopher Smith, Arthur Giron and Gabriel Barre
WHO’S WHO
KELLI BLACKWELL (Nanna) is beyond
thrilled to be a part of Amazing Grace!! Credits:
Chicago (National Tour), A Streetcar Named
Desire, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Everyman
Theatre); Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Olney Theatre),
Once on this Island (Cortland Repertory
Theatre), Nunsense (RGA Media, Canada);
Dreamgirls, The Wiz; A Christmas Carol,
Grease, Hairspray (Toby’s). Thanks family,
FRAMily and B.W. Much love and gratitude.
JORDAN CAMPBELL (Ensemble / Quigley)
A native Kentuckian, Jordan has performed
at theatres in New York City, Nashville, and
Washington D.C. In addition to his performance
career, Jordan worked at the White House during
the Obama Administration focusing on Arts
Education. As a teaching artist, Jordan provides
learning experiences in schools across America.
Proud graduate of Western Kentucky University
Musical Theatre Program. Twitter/Instagram:
@JrdnCmpbl. JordanCampbellProjects.com.
COLLEEN CLANCY (Ensemble/Carlotta) is
over-joyed to be sharing this beautifully
inspiring story with so many audiences.
Previous roles include Charity/Sweet Charity
(Mazeppa Productions), Penelope Square/
regional premiere of Polkadots the Cool Kids
Musical (Limelight PAC), Cinderella/Into the
Woods (Limelight PAC), Margaret/Much Ado
About Nothing (Pennsylvania Shakespeare
Festival), and Narrator/Joseph…Dreamcoat
(DeSales University). Love and thanks always
to God and family.
IAN ANTHONY COLEMAN (Ensemble)
credits include: Oliver!; My Fair Lady; Father
Comes Home From The Wars; Wiley and the
Hairy Man (Helen Hayes Award Outstanding