Broadway's upcoming Louis Armstrong biomusical A Wonderful World has gained some new, additional leadership! James Monroe Iglehart, starring as Armstrong, will now also co-direct the musical that begins performances October 16 at Studio 54, working alongside the project's former associate director, Christina Sajous. The pair join previously announced director Christopher Renshaw, who helmed the piece's earlier stagings in New Orleans and Chicago, and is overseeing the entire production.
“Musicals are all about collaboration, and for me as a director, being able to collaborate with Christina and James is not only a privilege, but also invaluable help in being able to tell the story of a great Black American cultural and musical Icon with authenticity and truth,” says Renshaw in a statement.
“I am grateful to have a voice, I am grateful to have a seat at the creative table,” adds Sajous. “It’s important that all artists experience their multi-hyphenated, multi-faceted, multi-dimensional selves—because we are.”
The news drops alongside the reveal of the musical's full creative team. Rickey Tripp will make his Broadway choreography and musical staging debut working on the production, with DeWitt Fleming Jr. making his Broadway debut as tap choreographer. Adam Koch and Steven Royal will make their Broadway debuts providing scenic design, with 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, and prop design by Lilian Sun.
It was also recently announced that Grammy winner Branford Marsalis will provide orchestrations and arrangements, joining a music department that also includes music supervisor, vocal and incidental arranger, and additional orchestrator Daryl Waters; dance arranger Zane Mark; music director Darryl G. Ivey; and music contractor David Lai.
Lee Soroko will serve as fight director, with Jerome Butler as dialect coach and Faye Price as dramaturg.
The previously announced cast includes Iglehart as the late jazz legend, with James T. Lane (Chicago, A Chorus Line) playing Armstrong at certain performances; along with 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, Jennie Harney-Fleming (The Color Purple) as Lil Hardin, DeWitt Fleming, Jr. as Lincoln Perry, Jason Forbach as Crooner, 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. Trista Dollison will be a standby.
Conceived by Renshaw (The King and I, Taboo) 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
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. 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. Irene Gandy is a consulting producer.
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.
Tickets are available at LouisArmstrongMusical.com.
