A Wonderful World

 A Wonderful World
The Louis Armstrong Musical
Studio 54
January 13, 2025 

Photo courtesy of A Wonderful World

A Wonderful World is full of heart and soul.  Conceived by Andrew Delaplaine and Christopher Renshaw, this bold and vibrant musical tells the story of the life and career of Louis Armstrong.  It is brilliantly woven together, allowing the music and dance to viscerally convey the essence of the story.  The Audience is transported to New Orleans in the 1910s, Chicago in the 1920s, Hollywood in the 1930s, and New York in the 1940s.  The book, by Aurin Squire, offers succinct narration and dramatic scenes involving the characters.  Director Christopher Renshaw beautifully pulls it all together, especially Rickey Tripp’s amazing choreography and musical staging, which perfectly captures the time periods and magnificently elevates the emotion of the piece.  

James Monroe Iglehart as Louis Armstrong
Photo courtesy of A Wonderful World

It is 1970.  We are in a rehearsal room where Louis Armstrong (played by James Monroe Iglehart) is rehearsing for a concert.  He tells his accompanist (played by Brandon Louis Armstrong) of his musical journey and how he met his four wives.  We jump back to New Orleans in the 1910s.  Louis marries Daisy Parker (played by Dionne Figgins).  She is a prostitute, but it doesn’t matter to Louis.  He is in love.  Louis takes a job playing music on a riverboat to earn money.  It is there that he learns to improvise and meld musical styles in collaboration with his band mates.  When one of his fellow musicians is lynched after being falsely accused of stealing, Louis decides he must move up north.  He follows his mentor, King Joe Oliver (played by Gavin Gregory) to Chicago, where he meets Lil Hardin (played by Jennie Harney-Fleming), who becomes his second wife.  They form their own band and go on tour after Louis refuses to play for members of the mob.  When the stock market crashes, Louie hears that Hollywood is hiring jazz musicians for the movies.  Lil does not want to go to California, so Louis goes alone.  He marries his third wife, Alpha Smith (played by Kim Exum), and makes his mark on the movies.  Louis becomes nationally known, yet is restricted in the roles he is offered.  He is advised by Lincoln Perry (played by Dewitt Fleming Jr.) to find his own style and get a white manager.  He finds that personal style in his smile, charm, and optimism.  When the Chicago mob catches up with him, Louis goes on tour again.  He follows Lincoln’s advice by contacting Joe Glaser (played by Jimmy Smagula) about representation.  Lucille leaves him, and he relocates to New York City.  Louis meets Cotton Club star, Lucille Wilson (played by Darlesia Cearcy).  They get married and Louis' career takes off under Joe’s management.  Lucille stays with Louis through infidelity and the hardships that follow after Louis makes a severe political statement over civil rights that keeps him from getting work.  He perseveres, never losing his smile and dedication to his music.

Photo courtesy of A Wonderful World

James Monroe Iglehart is outstanding in his portrayal of Louis Armstrong.  He has a powerful and charming presence, and his singing comes from deep in his soul.  He matures stylishly with the character, giving a strong sense of Louis Armstrong’s integrity and grit over the sixty-year timeline.  Mr. Iglehart creates genuine relationships with the four women who play his wives.  Dionee Figgins, Jennie Harney-Fleming, Kim Exum, and Darlesia Cearcy are all phenomenal in these roles.  Their distinct influence on Mr. Armstrong’s personal and professional life is rich and intriguing. 

The action moves fast, sometimes running quickly over important moments in the life of this iconic man.  This is an unfortunate drawback when telling an extensive story in a short two and a half hour time frame.  Luckily, the music and dance keep the audience emotionally connected to the journey of the characters. 

A Wonderful World is playing at Studio 54.  It is a joyous celebration of an amazing life.  Go see it! 

Domenick Danza