Broadway's Louis Armstrong biomusical A Wonderful World has announced it will play its final performance February 23. At the time of closing, the production will have played 151 performances, including 31 previews.
“It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closing of A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical," the musical's producers said in a joint statement. "This has been a labor of love for our entire cast and creative team, and we are so proud to have brought Louis Armstrong’s extraordinary life and legacy to Broadway. We are grateful to the many people who made this show possible, and our thanks as well to the fantastic audiences who came to experience the glory of Louis Armstrong’s music. For those who haven’t yet seen A Wonderful World, come to Studio 54 in these final weeks, and laissez les bon temps rouler!”
The musical opened its Broadway premiere at Studio 54 November 11, 2024, after beginning previews October 16. Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart is co-directing (along with Christina Sajous) and starring in the title role, with Christopher Renshaw at the helm. Joining Iglehart are Dionne Figgins as Daisy Parker, Jennie Harney-Fleming as Lil Hardin, Kim Exum as Alpha Smith, and Darlesia Cearcy as Lucille Wilson, with James T. Lane as the alternate for Armstrong.
The company also includes Trista Dollison, DeWitt Fleming Jr., Jason Forbach, Gavin Gregory, Jimmy Smagula, Brandon Louis Armstrong, Wesley J. 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.
Conceived by director Christopher 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.
Visit LouisArmstrongMusical.com.