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.
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!
Donna McKechnie, Taylor Iman Jones, Henry Platt, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week
by Blair Ingenthron
- Mar 4, 2023
Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work.
VIDEO: HAMILTON's Jennie Harney-Fleming is On the Rise!
by Candace Cordelia
- Sep 22, 2022
Jennie Harney-Fleming recently assumed the role of Angelica Schuyler on Broadway and she is telling us all about the new gig, how she juggles being a mom with being onstage and so much more! Watch the full video interview.
Jennie Harney-Fleming to Take Over as Angelica Schuyler in HAMILTON on Broadway in September
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- Aug 25, 2022
Jennie Harney-Fleming will be taking over the role of Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton on Broadway beginning September 13th. She will be replacing current Angelica, Mandy Gonzalez. Harney-Fleming has starred in the Broadway production and national tour productions of Hamilton, taking on the roles of Maria Reynolds, Peggy, Angelica, and Eliza Hamilton.
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.
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