The latest bio-musical on Broadway is “A Wonderful World” about Jazz trumpet player Louis Armstrong has announced their final performance dates – February 23.
When the show closes it would have played just 151 performances – 31 of those previews.
Releasing a joint statement, the producers said, “it is with mixed emotions that we announce the closing of ‘A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical’. 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 is directed by James Monroe Iglehart and Christina Sajous with Christopher Renshaw as Armstrong himself. And in a first a descendant of Armstrong – Brandon Louis Armstrong – is a part of the cast.
Dionne Figgins, Jennie Harney-Fleming, Kim Exum, Darlesia Cearcy, Trista Dollison, DeWitt Fleming Jr, Jason Forbach, Gavin Gregory, Jimmy Smagula, 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 Dor Waymer are also a part of the cast.
Telling the story of Armstrong’s life through the eyes of the women in his life from his early in New Orleans on, the musical features Armstrong’s own music.