Rehearsals are underway for the upcoming Broadway production of A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical, which played New Orleans and Chicago in October 2023 and will play Studio 54 this fall.
Aladdin Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart, recently seen on Broadway in the revival of Spamalot, will again star as the late jazz legend. Previews will begin October 16 at Studio 54 prior to an official opening November 11. James T. Lane (Chicago, A Chorus Line) will play Armstrong at certain performances.
See photos from the Broadway company's first rehearsal in the gallery below.
Darlesia Cearcy, Kim Exum, Jennie Harney Fleming, and Dionne Figgins
The ensemble of A Wonderful World
The company of A Wonderful World
The company of A Wonderful World
The set model for A Wonderful World
Liz Curtis, Aurin Squire, James Monroe Iglehart, Vanessa Williams, and Christopher Renshaw
Christopher Renshaw
DeWitt Fleming, Jr., Jason Forbach, and Jimmy Smagula
Nasha Harris, Santiago Rickey, Tripp Aurelia, Michael Holmgren, and DeWitt Fleming, Jr.
Playing the roles of Armstrong’s four wives, who each had a unique impact upon his life, will be Darlesia Cearcy (How to Dance in Ohio) as Lucille Wilson, Dionne Figgins (Memphis) as Daisy Parker, Kim Exum (The Book of Mormon) as Alpha Smith, and Jennie Harney-Fleming (The Color Purple) as Lil Hardin.
The 26-member cast also features Trista Dollison as standby for the roles of Daisy Parker, Lil Hardin, Alpha Smith, and Lucille Wilson; DeWitt Fleming, Jr. as Lincoln Perry; Jason Forbach as Crooner and Others; Gavin Gregory as King Joe Oliver; and Jimmy Smagula as Joe Glaser.
The ensemble will feature Brandon L. Armstrong, Wesley Barnes, Willie Clyde Beaton II, Ronnie S. Bowman, Jr., Eean S. Cochran, Kate Louissaint, Matt Magnusson, Jodeci Milhouse, Alysha Morgan, Khadijah Rolle, Tally Sessions, Brett Sturgis, Renell Taylor, Meridien Terrell, and Dori Waymer.
Conceived by Tony nominee Christopher Renshaw (The King and I, Taboo), who also directs, and novelist Andrew Delaplaine, A Wonderful World has an original book by author Aurin Squire (This Is Us) and features songs made popular by Armstrong. The new musical tells the story of jazz legend Louis Armstrong, from his early days in New Orleans through five decades of international stardom, through the eyes of the women in his life.
READ: King Arthur, Louis Armstrong—James Monroe Iglehart Is in His Leading Man Phase
“I am so excited to bring this wonderful brand-new musical to Broadway,” Iglehart said in an earlier statement. “American music wouldn’t be what it is today without Louis Armstrong, and what is Broadway if not American music? ‘Pops’ doesn’t get enough credit for his contribution to our entertainment industry or our country. I know I have never studied, researched, or prepared for anything as much in my career as I have for this role. I feel such a strong connection and an obligation to bring his voice, his music, and his story to the one place where it can be presented in all its glory—Broadway! I can’t wait for you all to become a part of A Wonderful World.”
RL Campbell will serve as production stage manager, Jen Ash as stage manager, and Alex Luong as assistant stage manager. Casting is by Arc Casting's Duncan Stewart and Patrick Maravilla. Additional creative team members will be announced.
Thomas E. Rodgers, Jr., Renee Delaplaine Rodgers, Martian Entertainment (Carl D. White and Gregory Rae) and Vanessa Williams and Liz Curtis, and Remmel T. Dickinson are producing A Wonderful World, which mirrors Armstrong’s own musical path as a trumpeter and vocalist from New Orleans to Chicago.
A Wonderful World is being presented in association with Roundabout Theatre Company and is included in Roundabout’s subscription packages.
READ: 'The Man Behind the Trumpet': A Wonderful World Aims to Tell Louis Armstrong's Story
Miami New Drama presented the world premiere of A Wonderful World in December 2021 at the Colony Theatre.
Visit LouisArmstrongMusical.com.
