A Wonderful World - The Louis Armstrong Musical is a jukebox stage musical with a book by Aurin Squire. The show features a score of music originally performed by Louis Armstrong and others, with orchestrations by Annastasia Victory and Michael O. Mitchell. The show was conceived originally by Christopher Renshaw and Andrew Delaplaine and is directed by Renshaw with choreography by Rickey Tripp.[1]
| A Wonderful World | |
|---|---|
| Music | Various Artists |
| Lyrics | Various Artists |
| Book | Aurin Squire Story by Christopher Renshaw Andrew Delaplaine |
| Basis | The life of Louis Armstrong |
| Productions | 2021 Miami New Drama 2023 New Orleans, Chicago 2024 Broadway |
The musical tells an autobiographical account of the life of jazz musician Louis Armstrong (1901–1971), from the perspective of the four wives he had during his lifetime, Daisy Parker, Lillian Hardin, Alpha Smith, and Lucille Watson. The title comes from the song What a Wonderful World, originally released in 1967 and written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss.[2]
The show is set to open on Broadway at Studio 54 on Nov 11, 2024 following previews beginning Oct 16, 2024.[3]
Production history edit
Miami New Drama (2020-2021) edit
The musical was commissioned by Michel Hausmann, artistic director of Miami New Drama.[4] The project was developed and workshopped beginning in 2019 at Miami New Drama and was originally set to have its world premiere on March 5, 2020, running until April 5th, 2020. This production was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rescheduled at the end of 2021, running from December 4, 2021, until January 16, 2022. Dionne Figgins was originally cast as Daisy Parker, while Lillian Hardin was originally played by Lana Gordon. The two roles were re-cast following the pandemic.[5][6]
New Orleans and Chicago (2022-2023) edit
After the world premiere production, the musical was taken on the road to further workshop in New Orleans at the Saenger Theatre from October 1–8, 2023 and in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre October 13, 2023 through October 29, 2023.[7] The musical held private readings in New York City in 2022 featuring James Monroe Iglehart as Armstrong, Krystal Joy Brown as Alpha Smith, Patrice Covington as Lucille, Jennie Harney-Fleming as Lillian Hardin, and Aisha Jackson as Daisy Parker.[8][9]
Broadway (2024) edit
In February 2024, it was announced the show would transfer to Broadway later that fall, opening at Studio 54 on Nov 11, 2024 following previews beginning Oct 16, 2024. Vanessa Williams serves as a producer on the project and Iglehart is set to reprise his starring role.[10]
Original cast and characters edit
| Character | Miami | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2023 | |
| Louis Armstrong | Jasun Williams | James Monroe Iglehart |
| Daisy Parker | Christina Sajous | Khalifa White |
| Lillian Hardin | Allison Semmes | Jennie Harney-Fleming |
| Alpha Smith | Nicole Henry | Brennyn Lark |
| Lucille Wilson | Darlene Hope | Ta'Rea Campbell |
| King Joe Oliver | Gavin Gregory | |
| Joe Glaser / Morris Karnofsky | Stephen G. Anthony | Matt Wolpe |
| Stepin Fetchit / Professor Davis | Jason Holley | DeWitt Fleming Jr. |
| Johnny Collins | Daniel Barrett | Matthew Greenwood |
Musical numbers edit
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References edit
- ^ "A WONDERFUL WORLD | Official Box Office | Saenger Theatre". www.saengernola.com. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ ""A Wonderful World" Reviewed by Julia W. Rath – AROUND THE TOWN CHICAGO". Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ Cardenas, Emily (March 12, 2024). "'A Wonderful World' heads to a Broadway stage". The Miami Times.
- ^ Cardenas, Emily (December 21, 2021). "'A Wonderful World' cancels performances". The Miami Times.
- ^ "Review: Long-awaited 'A Wonderful World' is wonderful in every way". ArtburstMiami. March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Inside Rehearsals for World Premiere of A Wonderful World | Playbill".
- ^ "Louis Armstrong musical 'A Wonderful World' now playing at Cadillac Palace Theatre". ABC7 Chicago. 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ "James Monroe Iglehart, Krystal Joy Brown, Aisha Jackson, More Are Part of A Wonderful World Musical Readings | Playbill".
- ^ ""A Wonderful World" has a friend in James Monroe Iglehart's Louis Armstrong". Where Y'at New Orleans. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ "James Monroe Iglehart Will Star in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical on Broadway | Playbill".