A WONDERFUL WORLD Previews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 12:00am

I see trees of green, red roses too…

Louis Armstrong is the latest icon to get the bio-jukebox musical treatment, as A Wonderful World begins Broadway previews tomorrow (October 16). James Monroe Iglehart takes on the beloved jazz trumpetist, with Darlesia Cearcy, Kim Exum, Dionne Figgins, and Jennie Harney-Fleming playing his four wives. Completing the principal cast are DeWitt Fleming Jr., Jason Forbach, Gavin Gregory, and Jimmy Smagula. A Wonderful World features a book by “Evil” and “This Is Us” writer Aurin Squire, with choreography by Rickey Tripp and direction by Christopher Renshaw (with co-direction by Iglehart and Christina Sajous). Opening night is slated for November 11 at Studio 54.

“Join Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart and a talented ensemble cast as they bring Louis Armstrong’s incredible journey to life, from New Orleans to worldwide fame. This full-scale musical features a rich tapestry of characters, including the four women who helped shape his remarkable life and career. Be captivated by Armstrong’s timeless hits like ‘What a Wonderful World’ and ‘When You’re Smiling,’ performed by a large, dynamic cast. Don’t miss this spectacular celebration of music, filled with vibrant dance numbers, stunning sets, and unforgettable performances. Get your tickets now for an unforgettable night that honors the iconic man who defined an era.”

Who’s marching in?

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 12:57am

Is this a Roundabout production?
 

Updated On: 10/15/24 at 12:57 AM

[Ensemble1728951059]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 1:21am

Right

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 7:17am

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 8:41am

CoffeeBreak said: "Is this a Roundabout production?
"

Yes, it is included in their subscription package for this season. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 11:23am

I really enjoyed fhis! Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 11:29am

EDSOSLO858 said: "CoffeeBreak said: "Is this a Roundabout production?"
Yes, it is included in their subscription package for this season."

Just to be clear: It is not lead-produced by Roundabout. It is a commercial production "in association with" Roundabout and being offered to subscribers.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 11:49am

9 in the orchestra for this one:

• 2 Keys
• 2 Trumpets
• 1 Tbn
• 1 Reed
• Guitar/Banjo
• Bass
• Drums

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 12:50pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "CoffeeBreak said: "Is this a Roundabout production?"
Yes, it is included in their subscription package for this season."

Just to be clear: It is not lead-produced by Roundabout. It is a commercial production "in association with" Roundabout and being offered to subscribers."

Thanks.  We were curious how that worked for this one.  I have a feeling James T is THE one to see in this with no star on the bill .

Updated On: 10/15/24 at 12:50 PM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 1:24pm

ACL2006 said: ""

boy that is a crazy amount of dates to throw out the day before the show starts, glad I have a ticket for a date not on that list or I would be annoyed as Iglehart is the big draw for me

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 1:51pm

Post-opening it looks like he's mostly missing the Wednesday eve performance and the Thursday matinee (their dark day is Tues), and in previews he's mostly skipping both Sunday shows. But given the differing schedules surrounding previews, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, it's not 100% consistent week to week.

Better to announce it now instead of announcing on the fly or not announcing at all. It should reduce the yelling that we got with Lindsay Mendez in Merrily.

This has gotta be a tough role on JMI's voice, no?

Updated On: 10/15/24 at 01:51 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/15/24 at 3:59pm

Sitzprobe footage of James Monroe Iglehart, Gavin Gregory and Dionne Figgins performing "It's Tight Like That." 

Exclusive: James Monroe Iglehart and A Wonderful World's Broadway Jazz Band Sing 'It's Tight Like That'

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/16/24 at 2:26pm

Criterion Ticketing says the runtime is approximately 2:30, with an intermission.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 10/16/24 at 2:29pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "CoffeeBreak said: "Is this a Roundabout production?
"

Yes, it is included in their subscription package for this season."

I don't think they're producing it. It's a rental where part of the terms of the lease are that they get a certain number of tickets to go to subscribers. They've done this before. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/16/24 at 11:27pm

Who caught this tonight?   Anyone..?

[AntV]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 1:37am

It was 3 hours long, ended right at 11:00. With a typical 8:07 start, 20 minute intermission and no holds. Just packed with a lot of scenes and songs. Cute first preview pin as the audience was leaving.

Updated On: 10/17/24 at 01:37 AM

[Dolly80]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 4:17am

Musicals .. lots of scenes and songs.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 5:51am

Updated On: 10/17/24 at 05:51 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 7:07am

This is not selling well…at all. Looking ahead the next two weeks, you can observe that this is definitely a “matinee lady” show, as those are all very well sold and the evening shows are mostly a sea of empty seats. If they traded the Sunday or Monday night for an extra matinee, it might be better. 

However, unless this gets some blockbuster reviews, I cannot see this going past January. This is probably a musical that would’ve been a hit 25-30 years ago when the demographic who was probably most familiar with and appreciative of his music were still alive.

I’m going to one of James T. Lane’s performances in a few weeks since he excites me more than Iglehart.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 8:12am

This show definitely has a unique performance schedule with the Monday evenings and Thursday matinees. They should have done Wednesday matinee instead of the Wednesday evenings. There's zero advertising for this and almost no buzz going around. A mid-January closing seems plausible unless this gets good reviews.

[yyys]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 8:21am

so is this considered a jukebox musical?

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 8:24am

"This is probably a musical that would’ve been a hit 25-30 years ago when the demographic who was probably most familiar with and appreciative of his music were still alive."

Maybe someday producers will learn that not every music icon that boomers loved when they were younger needs a Broadway musical. 

[inception]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 9:43am

Zeppie2022 said: ""
Maybe someday producers will learn that not every music icon that boomers loved when they were younger needs a Broadway musical."

Boomers?  My parents are Boomers, in their mid 70's. Their generation loved The Beatles & Bob Dylan.  This is a star from their parents generation. My Grandmother just passed at 94.  While she had all of her mental faculties up to the endd, In the last few years she & my grandfather weren't rushing out to any new musicsls. The last few years they've lived with one of my uncles, so I don't think they were even going out to the grocery store on their own. They were the WWII generation who danced to big band music.  I remember at weddings as a little kid seeing them out on the floor still swinging - they were probably in their 50's then, my age now. This show is probably 40 years too late. 

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 10:04am

I wouldn't say a lot of people remembered Fats Waller in 1978 when Ain't Misbehavin' opened, and Waller had been dead for 35 years. Or Jelly Roll Morton in 1992, when Jelly's Last Jam opened, and Morton had been gone for over half a century. Armstrong, as a pivotal figure in the development of jazz of the 20th century, is at least more famous than either of them. It's an entertainment, and a show about his life is no worse a subject than a musical about robots in love, the wife of a charlatan religious figure, or survivors of a shipwreck getting hungry. Also, not every show is out to capture the youth market. 

And a word about advance sales. Very few shows have advance sales at the moment. It's largely been a casualty of the pandemic with most shows doing business a few weeks in advance, or week of. It's not a metric to beat any show over the head with. And the reality is that Wonderful World is quietly ahead of most of the fall musicals, with Gypsy leading the pack. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 10:32am

Smaxie said: "Also, not every show is out to capture the youth market.

And a word about advance sales. Very few shows have advance sales at the moment. It's largely been a casualty of the pandemic with most shows doing business a few weeks in advance, or week of. It's not a metric to beat any show over the head with. And the reality is that Wonderful World is quietly ahead of most of the fall musicals, with Gypsy leading the pack."

Two things:

1) Even if they aren’t your key demographic, you still need to secure a portion of their sales to survive. (I’m not sure what you consider “youth” - personally, I’m 30).

2) Look at the 10/20 evening performance - it’s about 70% unsold 3 days away. Do you honestly think they are going to sell (not paper) at least 250-300 of those tickets by then?