Review: A WONDERFUL WORLD Presented by Broadway In Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg
- Oct 15, 2023
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.
Interview: James Monroe Iglehart On Pre-Broadway A WONDERFUL WORLD
by Tara Bennett
- Oct 12, 2023
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.
Full Cast Revealed For A WONDERFUL WORLD Musical; Vanessa Williams Joins Producing Team
by Stephi Wild
- Jul 12, 2023
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!
CARBONELL AWARDS Issue Revised List of Nominations for 2021-2022 Theatre Season
by Stephi Wild
- Oct 11, 2022
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.
Photos: THEATRE FORWARD's 2022 GALA Honors Kenny Leon & Prudential Financial
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
- Apr 5, 2022
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.
LOVE IN HATE NATION Original Cast Recording Out Today
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- Feb 11, 2022
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.
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