Annastasia Victory

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.

A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong recently played at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. See photos from opening night below!

BroadwayWorld sat down with star James Monroe Iglehart while the production played its first pre-Broadway engagement in New Orleans to chat about bringing Louis' story to life, the care that goes into telling stories through musicals, and if he can play a certain instrument.

Watch cast members of A Wonderful World St. James Infirmary in rehearsal!

Watch Watch James Monroe Iglehart sing What A Wonderful World in rehearsals for the new musical A Wonderful World!

The 26-member cast of A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong began rehearsals last week in New York City. Check out photos from rehearsal here!

Full casting has been announced for A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong, which was previously announced to star James Monroe Iglehart.  The production also welcomes multiple Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams to the lead producing team.  Find out more about the show, and the cast, here!

A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong will premiere in New Orleans and Chicago this fall, with Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart starring as Armstrong. See additional details, and how to purchase tickets!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

The first live standings have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS and TWO RIVER THEATER have announced the release of Love in Hate Nation – Original Cast Recording in a special cassette edition, scheduled for Friday, December 2.

After announcing this year’s list of Carbonell Award nominations last Friday, the organization quickly realized that clarifications and additions were necessary. This invariably happens with any complicated, first-time process, so the nonprofit organization ordered a recalculation of the scores in all 20 categories.

A private industry reading will be held in New York City of A Wonderful World, a new musical based on the life and songs of jazz legend and American icon Louis Armstrong, starring Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart.

On Monday, April 4, 2022, Theatre Forward, a non-profit arts organization based in New York City, held its annual gala at the Edison Ballroom, 240 West 47th Street, New York City to honor Tony and Obie Award winning director, Kenny Leon, and global financial services provider, Prudential Financial.

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS and TWO RIVER THEATER have released the new music video “Masochist” from Love in Hate Nation – Original Cast Recording – with book, music and lyrics by Joe Iconis – to celebrate Trans Visibility Day. 

Love in Hate Nation – Original Cast Recording is available in digital and streaming formats today, Friday, February 11. Love in Hate Nation features book, music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and direction by John Simpkins.

Love in Hate Nation – Original Cast Recording will be released in digital and streaming formats on Friday, February 11. Get a first listen to 'Solitary' from the musical!

Love in Hate Nation – Original Cast Recording, will be released in digital and streaming formats on Friday, February 11. The album is now available for pre-order.