Louis Armstrong jukebox biomusical A Wonderful World begins its Broadway premiere at Studio 54 October 16, with opening night set for November 11. Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart is co-directing (along with Christina Sajous) and starring in the title role, with Christopher Renshaw at the helm.
The cast also includes Dionne Figgins as Daisy Parker, Jennie Harney-Fleming as Lil Hardin, Kim Exum as Alpha Smith, and Darlesia Cearcy as Lucille Wilson, along with Gavin Gregory, Dewitt Fleming Jr., Jimmy Smagula, Brandon Louis Armstrong, Wesley J. Barnes, Ronnie S. Bowman Jr., Brett Sturgis, Renell Taylor, Jason Forbach, and Tally Sessions.
Trista Dollison is the standby for Daisy Parker, Lil Hardin, Lucille Wilson, and Alpha Smith; and James T. Lane is the Louis Armstrong alternate. Understudies Kate Louissaint, Jodeci Milhouse, Alysha Morgan, Khadijah Rolle, and Dori Waymer; and swings Willie Clyde Beaton II, Eean S. Cochran, Matt Magnusson, and Meridien Terrell round out the company. Casting is by ARC's Duncan Stewart and Patrick Maravilla.
Conceived by director Renshaw (The King and I, Taboo) and novelist Andrew Delaplaine, A Wonderful World has an original book by Aurin Squire (This Is Us) and features songs made popular by Armstrong. The new musical tells the story of jazz legend Armstrong, from his early days in New Orleans through five decades of international stardom, through the eyes of the women in his life. The musical comes to Broadway after earlier runs in Miami, New Orleans, and Chicago.
The production also features choreography and musical staging by Rickey Tripp, scenic and video design by Adam Koch and Steven Royal, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Cory Pattak, sound design by Kai Harada, wig and hair design by Matthew Armentrout, makeup design by Kali Taylor, prop design by Lilian Sun, tap choreography by Dewitt Fleming Jr., fight direction by Lee Soroko, and dramaturgy by Faye Price. RL Campbell is production stage manager.
Daryl Waters leads the music team as music supervisor, along with providing vocal and incidental music arrangements and additional orchestrations. Branford Marsalis has penned orchestrations and arrangements, with Darryl G. Ivey serving as music director and Zane Mark as dance music arranger.
Thomas E. Rodgers, Jr., Renee Delaplaine Rodgers, Martian Entertainment (Carl D. White and Gregory Rae), Vanessa Williams, Liz Curtis, John Gore Organization, Remmel T. Dickinson, and Wei-Hwa Huang are producing A Wonderful World, in association with Roundabout Theatre Company.
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