User talk:Csmith18

Welcome!
Hello,, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions so far. I hope you like it here! Here are a few important links for newcomers:

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Again, welcome! -- Ssilvers (talk) 23:54, 3 December 2015 (UTC)

Citing sources
Thank you Ssilvers. The thing I am not sure about is how to cite a primary source (the script) by a primary source (me, the playwright), when the script itself is not available to be inspected by the public. --Csmith18 (talk) 00:07, 4 December 2015 (UTC)


 * Hello, Csmith. Generally we don't cite primary sources on Wikipedia, much preferring secondary sources.  In plot summaries, however, if we are simply summarizing the script, we do not need to cite the script, unless you are using a direct quote from the script.  But if we do need to cite a primary source, just give the full bibliographic information.  For example: Smith, Christoper and Arthur Giron. Amazing Grace, [publisher name], [date of publication], Act I, scene iii.  We cannot cite unpublished works in Wikipedia.  See generally WP:CITE.  But if at all possible, cite a secondary source.  For example, if you have stated a fact in a newspaper interview, we can cite the article that includes the interview.  If you show me a link to the thing you wish to cite, I can help you with the formatting. I am watching this page, so I will see any reply by you.  -- Ssilvers (talk) 00:40, 4 December 2015 (UTC)

Conflict of interest
Christopher, as the author and composer of Amazing Grace (musical), you have a conflict of interest, and as such per Wikipedia guidelines and policies neither you nor your associates should edit that article directly, but rather request edits on the article's talk page instead (and provide reliable-source citations). Experienced Wikipedia editors will then review and implement as appropriate. Ssilvers and I have the article on our Watch Lists, so that won't be a problem; although if you find no one is responding after a while you can notify either of us on our talk pages. Thank you for your cooperation. Softlavender (talk) 00:49, 4 December 2015 (UTC)


 * Yes, if you tell us on this Talk page or the article's Talk page what changes you wish to make, I am happy to help you with formatting and to make the appropriate changes with respect to articles that you are personally involved in. Of course, if you are not connected to an article, you have no WP:COI with respect to that article and should feel free to edit it directly. -- Ssilvers (talk) 01:10, 4 December 2015 (UTC)

Ssilvers, ok now I get it. Authors are regarded as authoritative in relation to the subject of a work and are therefore sources but that doesn't mean they should alter the article themselves because of COI. Thank you for clearing that up (New frontier for me.)

The approved liner notes which will be published in the Original Broadway Cast Album CD packaging are below:

ACT I begins when John arrives by ship to his home town of Chatham, England in 1742 (PROLOGUE). Mary Catlett, John’s childhood friend, is furious that John has run away from boarding school to seek adventure on the sea. As John attempts to defend his actions to her, Thomas, the Newton’s house slave, rushes in with news that John’s father, the wealthy and powerful slave-trader Captain Newton, is on his way. The Captain rails against his son for rejecting his father’s plans for him (TRULY ALIVE). John weathers the tirade but as soon as Captain Newton is out of sight he cajoles his friend Haweis to help him begin the day’s auction without the Captain. The cargo is African slaves (THE AUCTION). During the auction, abolitionists insight a riot and free a young, pregnant slave. Mary, who is hiding nearby, cannot help but get involved. She gives up her cloak to conceal the young woman and aid her escape. Redcoats discover Mary, but she is released from suspicion by their new leader, Major Gray, who is clearly impressed by her. John is humiliated and left to search for the slave. John confronts Mary a few days later. As they argue, we learn that John still suffers from the loss of his dear mother, who died when John was eight years old. Mary remembers John’s better nature and seeks to remind him with a song he wrote for her years ago (SOMEONE WHO HEARS). The abolitionists seek a meeting with Mary but her house servant, Nanna, warns her not to go. Mary presses Nanna to speak of her life in Africa, her captivity, and the daughter she lost years ago, Yema (YEMA’S SONG). That night, Mary performs a song at the Christmas Ball, careful to point out to all that John was its composer many years ago (VOICES OF THE ANGELS). Major Gray is enchanted by Mary, a fact that threatens the inebriated John. He erupts into a drunken tirade, offending everyone, including Mary, and his father. After the ball, Mary decides to meet the abolitionists in their lair. Here she learns of their plans to undermine the slave trade. (WE ARE DETERMINED) Mary agrees to encourage Gray’s advances as an opportunity to spy on him and the government. John, meanwhile, stumbles to his mother’s grave only to be set upon by a Navy gang, which impresses him into service aboard H.M.S. Harwich. When John’s father refuses to use his influence to have him released, John angrily severs all ties to him. (NEVER)  Thomas attempts to intercede on John’s behalf but the furious Captain Newton sends him on the ship as well. Time passes aboard the Harwich and John grows increasingly insubordinate, fighting and defying the officers. At the same time, Mary struggles with her feelings for John (SHADOWS OF INNOCENCE). Mary continues to elicit information from Major Gray. One night at dinner, he surprises her with a proposal of marriage, pending the approval of his cousin, Prince Frederick, for whom she will perform at Chatham’s Christmas concert (EXPECTATIONS). ACT I closes when John’s carelessness allows a French warship to attack the Harwich. The crew is killed and John is knocked into the sea. Thomas dives in and pulls John’s unconscious body to the surface (BATTLE AT SEA).

ACT II begins. John and Thomas have escaped the sea only be captured by a ruthless African slave trader, Princess Peyai. John refuses to bow to her and she brands him as her slave (WELCOME SONG). John is chained to a post and is only saved from starvation by a young slave girl, Yema, who feeds him. In England, Mary strives to preserve normalcy, performing with the town choir (SING ON HIGH). She soon learns from Captain Newton that the Harwich has been lost with all hands (TELL ME WHY). Back in Africa, John, uses his knowledge of the slave business to form an alliance with the Princess. She indulges him but at the same time, writes to Captain Newton demanding a ransom for John’s life. Upon learning that John is alive, Captain Newton vows to find and rescue him (A CHANCE FOR ME). Mary gives the Captain a letter for John, if and when he is found. The Princess, meanwhile, tests John’s loyalty by pressuring him to put Thomas on the next boat to Barbados. John eventually agrees. As Thomas is shackled and placed aboard a slave ship, he confronts John about his choices (NOWHERE LEFT TO RUN). Back in England, Major Gray discovers Mary’s deceit and her plan to speak against slavery in front of the Prince at the Christmas concert. He imprisons Nanna as a hostage, but when Nanna learns what Mary had intended to do, she urges her to speak, whatever the consequences (DAYBREAK). Captain Newton reaches Africa and attempts to pay the ransom for John. A gun battle erupts and the Princess is killed while Captain Newton is gravely wounded. John seeks to get his father home, but he dies aboard ship as a furious hurricane approaches. John assumes the role of Captain and, inside his father’s coat, finds the letter from Mary (I STILL BELIEVE). Throughout the long night of the storm John remains on deck alone. Here he is confronted with visions of the many lives he has destroyed. John awakes the next day to find that he has miraculously survived the storm (TESTIMONY). John determines to change course for Barbados to look for Thomas. After weeks of searching, he finds and frees him. John tells Thomas how he has changed and that he is going to spend his life working against the slave trade. He pleads for Thomas’ forgiveness. Thomas refuses and John turns to leave (I WILL REMEMBER). In an act of tremendous grace, Thomas (whose African name is revealed to be Pakuteh) forgives John and goes with him to England. John arrives home in time to witness Mary deliver an impassioned plea to the crown Prince to end the barbarity of slavery. John adds his voice to hers, vowing to undue the evil he was once a part of. The Prince humiliates and demotes Gray but decides not punish John and Mary, who are reunited for the first time in over a year (NOTHING THERE TO LOVE). In the final scene, Pakuteh (Thomas) reveals that John and Mary were wed and spent the rest of their lives together. He relates that John went on to write hundreds of hymns including the words to this simple song of gratitude (AMAZING GRACE).

These were written by Christopher Smith and Gabriel Barre and will be credited as such on the booklet. Warner Brothers Records / DMI is the publisher and publication date will be December 2015 (Actual release will be January 2016.) Is this helpful? Chris --Csmith18 (talk) 02:58, 4 December 2015 (UTC)


 * Good. Release=publication, so, as soon as the liner notes are released, let remind me to come back here, and I'll work with this to update the synopsis. -- Ssilvers (talk) 03:27, 4 December 2015 (UTC)

Ok Ssilvers, thanks. BTW what was your source for the summary that is on the article now? -- Csmith18 (talk) 06:57, 4 December 2015 (UTC)


 * I'm not sure, but it might have been this, which is obviously very old, so it will be good to update the synopsis using the liner notes. Please do me a favor and do not contact me about the synopsis until the cast album is released with the liner notes. Feel free to contact me about other sources and changes to the article, though. All the best! -- Ssilvers (talk) 07:55, 4 December 2015 (UTC)

No problem Ssilvers, have a good new year. --Csmith18 (talk) 17:13, 4 December 2015 (UTC)

Amazing Grace Cast Album on sale, full plot summary from liner notes
Hello Ssilvers as promised I am getting back in touch now that the Original Broadway Cast Album of Amazing Grace is on sale to the public. Below is the complete plot summary included in the liner notes of the CD, it will give readers a much more accurate plot summary.

ACT I begins when John arrives by ship to his home town of Chatham, England in 1742 (PROLOGUE). Mary Catlett, John’s childhood friend, is furious that John has run away from boarding school to seek adventure on the sea. As John attempts to defend his actions to her, Thomas, the Newton’s house slave, rushes in with news that John’s father, the wealthy and powerful slave-trader Captain Newton, is on his way. The Captain rails against his son for rejecting his father’s plans for him (TRULY ALIVE). John weathers the tirade but as soon as Captain Newton is out of sight he cajoles his friend Haweis to help him begin the day’s auction without the Captain. The cargo is African slaves (THE AUCTION). During the auction, abolitionists insight a riot and free a young, pregnant slave. Mary, who is hiding nearby, cannot help but get involved. She gives up her cloak to conceal the young woman and aid her escape. Redcoats discover Mary, but she is released from suspicion by their new leader, Major Gray, who is clearly impressed by her. John is humiliated and left to search for the slave. John confronts Mary a few days later. As they argue, we learn that John still suffers from the loss of his dear mother, who died when John was eight years old. Mary remembers John’s better nature and seeks to remind him with a song he wrote for her years ago (SOMEONE WHO HEARS). The abolitionists seek a meeting with Mary but her house servant, Nanna, warns her not to go. Mary presses Nanna to speak of her life in Africa, her captivity, and the daughter she lost years ago, Yema (YEMA’S SONG). That night, Mary performs a song at the Christmas Ball, careful to point out to all that John was its composer many years ago (VOICES OF THE ANGELS). Major Gray is enchanted by Mary, a fact that threatens the inebriated John. He erupts into a drunken tirade, offending everyone, including Mary, and his father. After the ball, Mary decides to meet the abolitionists in their lair. Here she learns of their plans to undermine the slave trade. (WE ARE DETERMINED) Mary agrees to encourage Gray’s advances as an opportunity to spy on him and the government. John, meanwhile, stumbles to his mother’s grave only to be set upon by a Navy gang, which impresses him into service aboard H.M.S. Harwich. When John’s father refuses to use his influence to have him released, John angrily severs all ties to him. (NEVER)  Thomas attempts to intercede on John’s behalf but the furious Captain Newton sends him on the ship as well. Time passes aboard the Harwich and John grows increasingly insubordinate, fighting and defying the officers. At the same time, Mary struggles with her feelings for John (SHADOWS OF INNOCENCE). Mary continues to elicit information from Major Gray. One night at dinner, he surprises her with a proposal of marriage, pending the approval of his cousin, Prince Frederick, for whom she will perform at Chatham’s Christmas concert (EXPECTATIONS). ACT I closes when John’s carelessness allows a French warship to attack the Harwich. The crew is killed and John is knocked into the sea. Thomas dives in and pulls John’s unconscious body to the surface (BATTLE AT SEA).

ACT II begins. John and Thomas have escaped the sea only be captured by a ruthless African slave trader, Princess Peyai. John refuses to bow to her and she brands him as her slave (WELCOME SONG). John is chained to a post and is only saved from starvation by a young slave girl, Yema, who feeds him. In England, Mary strives to preserve normalcy, performing with the town choir (SING ON HIGH). She soon learns from Captain Newton that the Harwich has been lost with all hands (TELL ME WHY). Back in Africa, John, uses his knowledge of the slave business to form an alliance with the Princess. She indulges him but at the same time, writes to Captain Newton demanding a ransom for John’s life. Upon learning that John is alive, Captain Newton vows to find and rescue him (A CHANCE FOR ME). Mary gives the Captain a letter for John, if and when he is found. The Princess, meanwhile, tests John’s loyalty by pressuring him to put Thomas on the next boat to Barbados. John eventually agrees. As Thomas is shackled and placed aboard a slave ship, he confronts John about his choices (NOWHERE LEFT TO RUN). Back in England, Major Gray discovers Mary’s deceit and her plan to speak against slavery in front of the Prince at the Christmas concert. He imprisons Nanna as a hostage, but when Nanna learns what Mary had intended to do, she urges her to speak, whatever the consequences (DAYBREAK). Captain Newton reaches Africa and attempts to pay the ransom for John. A gun battle erupts and the Princess is killed while Captain Newton is gravely wounded. John seeks to get his father home, but he dies aboard ship as a furious hurricane approaches. John assumes the role of Captain and, inside his father’s coat, finds the letter from Mary (I STILL BELIEVE). Throughout the long night of the storm John remains on deck alone. Here he is confronted with visions of the many lives he has destroyed. John awakes the next day to find that he has miraculously survived the storm (TESTIMONY). John determines to change course for Barbados to look for Thomas. After weeks of searching, he finds and frees him. John tells Thomas how he has changed and that he is going to spend his life working against the slave trade. He pleads for Thomas’ forgiveness. Thomas refuses and John turns to leave (I WILL REMEMBER). In an act of tremendous grace, Thomas (whose African name is revealed to be Pakuteh) forgives John and goes with him to England. John arrives home in time to witness Mary deliver an impassioned plea to the crown Prince to end the barbarity of slavery. John adds his voice to hers, vowing to undue the evil he was once a part of. The Prince humiliates and demotes Gray but decides not punish John and Mary, who are reunited for the first time in over a year (NOTHING THERE TO LOVE). In the final scene, Pakuteh (Thomas) reveals that John and Mary were wed and spent the rest of their lives together. He relates that John went on to write hundreds of hymns including the words to this simple song of gratitude (AMAZING GRACE).

Thank you Csmith18 (talk) 22:00, 26 February 2016 (UTC)


 * Thanks, Csmith!  Please check the article and see if you agree with the plot summary now.  If not, leave a message here as to which substantive changes ought to be made, but note that we cannot exactly copy over the copyrighted material. -- Ssilvers (talk) 07:57, 27 February 2016 (UTC)