Theater News

James Monroe Iglehart to Play Louis Armstrong in Broadway-Bound Musical A Wonderful World

The musical will play in New Orleans and Chicago this fall ahead of a Broadway run.

James Monroe Iglehart performs with the New York Pops in 2018.
James Monroe Iglehart performs with the New York Pops in 2018.
(© Tricia Baron)

Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart (the original genie in Aladdin) will play legendary musician Louis Armstrong in A Wonderful World, A New Musical About the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong. The show is scheduled to perform at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans October 1-8, 2023 before moving to the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, where it will play October 11-29, 2023. Details of a Broadway run have not been revealed.

According to an official description, “A Wonderful World is the singular story of jazz legend, Grammy Award winner, and American icon Louis Armstrong, as told by the women in his life. Armstrong’s innovative musicianship and incredible charisma as a trumpet player and vocalist would lead him from the early days of jazz in his native New Orleans to five decades of international stardom.”

Conceived by Drama Desk Award winner Christopher Renshaw (Taboo), and novelist Andrew Delaplaine, A Wonderful World has an original book by author Aurin Squire (This Is Us) and features songs recorded and made popular by Armstrong. Wife and husband team, Annastasia Victory (Once on This Island) and Michael O. Mitchell (MJ the Musical) provide original music, arrangements, orchestrations and music direction. Renshaw directs the production, with choreography by Rickey Tripp (associate choreographer for Broadway’s Choir Boy). Christina Sajous serves as associate director and Aurelia Michael as associate choreographer.

Miami New Drama produced the world-premiere production of A Wonderful World on December 11, 2021, at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach, Florida.

Featured In This Story

A Wonderful World

Closed: October 8, 2023

A Wonderful World

Closed: October 28, 2023