Review: A WONDERFUL WORLD Presented by Broadway In Chicago
World premiere musical A WONDERFUL WORLD has a wonderful lead in James Monrie Iglehart as Louis Armstrong. Iglehart embodies the acclaimed vocalist and trumpeter completely; he nails Armstrong’s signature raspy voice and vocals and larger-than-life presence, but he’s also a master at embodying the role’s emotions. He’s a joy to watch in every moment he’s onstage, even as Aurin Squire’s book charts both Armstrong’s successes and his more human mistakes. In terms of framework, A WONDERFUL WORLD surprisingly reminded me of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s SIX. The musical starts and ends with Armstrong’s four wives: Daisy Parker (Khalifa White), Lil Hardin (Jennie Harney Fleming), Alpha Smith (Brennyn Lark), and Lucille Wilson (Ta’rea Campbell). Each of the musical’s four parts is centered around one of Armstrong’s wives. While the musical piqued my interest in Armstrong’s biography as a whole, I think this framework meant the timeline on his route to fame was incredibly condensed. And the musical certainly conveys that Armstrong was quite the philanderer; Squire’s book and Christopher Renshaw’s direction and conception don’t shy away at all from the fact that Armstrong cheated on each of his past wives with the next one.
World Premiere of A WONDERFUL WORLD to be Presented at the Colony Theatre
Miami New Drama announced the return of the world premiere production A Wonderful World, a new musical based on the life and songs of jazz legend and American icon Louis Armstrong. Originally scheduled for the spring of 2020, the production will now play at the Colony Theatre from December 4 - January 16, with opening night set for December 11.
Flushing Town Hall Announces Final Virtual Jazz Jam
Since it first moved to a virtual format in April 2020, the monthly Jazz Jam has been one of Flushing Town Hall's most popular, recurring events during the pandemic, bringing thousands of jazz lovers from across the globe together online around a monthly theme.
Photo Flash: First Look at the Cast of A WONDERFUL WORLD in Character
Previews begin tonight the world premiere of A Wonderful World, a new musical based on the life and songs of jazz legend and American icon Louis Armstrong at Miami New Drama. The production plays the Colony Theatre (1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL.) from March 5 - April 5, with opening night set for March 14.