\u201cAmazing Grace\u201d is one of the most recognized songs in the world!\u00a0It has been sung in churches all over the world, recorded in many different languages, been put to different melodies, and has impacted millions of people on earth.\u00a0\u00a0People who do not or have not ever attended a church service can probably still sing the words to this beloved hymn.<\/p>\n
Some may be aware of the story behind its writing, but many people have probably never heard of how this famous song came about.\u00a0\u00a0The name John Newton (no, not the guy who got hit on the head with an apple!) is someone everyone should get to know.\u00a0\u00a0He was born in 1725, the son of John Newton Sr., a ship builder in London.\u00a0\u00a0His mother was a devout Christian who taught her son to pray and read scripture, but she sadly passed away when John was seven years of age.\u00a0\u00a0John\u2019s father and eventual step-mother took charge of the boy and let him run wild, although he would often return to thoughts of his dear mother\u2019s Christian love and care she showed him.<\/p>\n
Now a young brash seaman, Newton experienced a life changing adventure during a severe storm at sea.\u00a0\u00a0Shouting out to God to save him, this began a journey which changed his life forever.\u00a0\u00a0There is so much more to tell about the life of John Newton, but I think the best way to learn and really experience it, is to watch it portrayed on stage.<\/p>\n
A movie about the life changing story of John Newton came out in 2006.\u00a0It starred Albert Finney as Newton and Ioan Gruffud as William Wilberforce.\u00a0It aptly portrayed Newton as a penitent haunted by the ghosts of 20,000 slaves.\u00a0This experience eventually led to the penning of the words which millions now sing as Amazing Grace.\u00a0By the way, did you know the original title to the song was \u201cFaith\u2019s Review and Expectation?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0I like \u201cAmazing Grace\u201d better!<\/p>\n
In 2015, the Musical-Amazing Grace<\/em> hit Broadway.\u00a0It went to Chicago for a two-week run and was held over for a full week due to popular demand.\u00a0I tell you all about this because we at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center have the good fortune to host this Broadway show.\u00a0The date is coming real soon: Friday, February 16!\u00a0It will be a 7:30 p.m. show.<\/p>\n I was contacted just a few days ago by the producer to see if we could fill a gap they had on their tour due to some unforeseen circumstances.\u00a0Knowing we have little time to get the word out, we worked out a deal because I felt this story is one everyone needs to see, hear, and experience.\u00a0This dramatic stage musical production will have you mesmerized, tearful, and celebrant, all within a two-hour period of time.\u00a0\u00a0I am told that by the time they finally get around to singing \u201cAmazing Grace\u201d, there isn\u2019t a dry eye in the house.<\/p>\n The story is one of a penitent man who finds God during a storm on the high seas and ends up serving the God who gives him the words to write a song that will, in turn, change many more lives for years to come.<\/p>\n \u201cAmazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.\u00a0I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see.<\/p>\n When we\u2019ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun; we\u2019ve no less days to sing God\u2019s praise than when we first begun.\u201d<\/p>\n