Lucille Wilson News

A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong, is now playing in Chicago, through October 29, following a run in New Orleans. The musical is aiming to transfer to Broadway, but no information on that run has been announced.

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!

Get a first look at James Monroe Iglehart in 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!

Sharon Preston-Folta's documentary feature, Little Satchmo, is the heartwarming and heart-wrenching story of her journey as the secret daughter of legendary jazz trumpeter, Louis Armstrong.

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!

Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule features nearly the entirety of Armstrong’s holiday output: six singles from the ‘50s, including “Cool Yule,” “Christmas Night in Harlem,” and “‘Zat You Santa Claus?.” The 11-track album also features duets with Velma Middleton (“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”) and Ella Fitzgerald (“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”).

Now available for pre-order, Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule features nearly the entirety of Armstrong’s holiday output: six Decca singles from the ‘50s, including “Cool Yule,” “Christmas Night in Harlem,” and the swinging “‘Zat You Santa Claus?.” The 11-track album also features duets with Velma Middleton and Ella Fitzgerald.

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.

Miami New Drama announced the return of the world premiere production  A Wonderful World, a new musical based on the life and songs of jazz legend and American icon Louis Armstrong. Originally scheduled for the spring of 2020, the production will now play at the Colony Theatre from December 4 - January 16, with opening night set for December 11.

Since it first moved to a virtual format in April 2020, the monthly Jazz Jam has been one of Flushing Town Hall's most popular, recurring events during the pandemic, bringing thousands of jazz lovers from across the globe together online around a monthly theme. 

Previews begin tonight the world premiere of A Wonderful World, a new musical based on the life and songs of jazz legend and American icon Louis Armstrong at Miami New Drama. The production plays the Colony Theatre (1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL.) from March 5 - April 5, with opening night set for March 14.

Miami New Drama Artistic Director Michel Hausmann has announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of A Wonderful World, a new musical based on the life and songs of jazz legend and American icon Louis Armstrong. The production will play the Colony Theatre (1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL.) from March 5 - April 5, with opening night set for March 14.