A WONDERFUL WORLD Previews- Page 3

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/21/24 at 11:45pm

JTL is Iglehart’s alternate and so has a contractual number of shows he will perform (like Donna Murphy in DOLLY or Mandy Gonzalez in SUNSET).

This truly is a bear of a role, and considering Iglehart is co-directing the show (although I don’t know why 3 directors are necessary) he would probably need an additional performance or two off during previews in order to fulfill his other obligation to the show.

Like I said before, JTL is jaw droppingly good and nobody could convince me that Iglehart could top that.

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 6:45am

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/22/24 at 7:08am

Bwaygurl2 said: "ACL2006 said: "theatergoer3 said: "James T. Lane back on tonight. I believe I also overheard that the runtime is currently 2hr 50min with intermission."

So JMIalready can't handle the role? Once he won his Tony for Aladdin, he missed many shows and was out frequently in Hamilton, too."

These are scheduled absences that were announced ahead of time."

James was not scheduled to perform last night. He was scheduled for both shows on Sunday.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/23/24 at 3:28pm

The company will perform from the show tomorrow morning on Good Morning America, around 8:45 AM. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/24/24 at 11:44am

Here’s the video from the GMA performance.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Video-A-WONDERFUL-WORLD-Cast-Performs-When-Youre-Smiling-on-Good-Morning-America-20241024

I think this embodies the general critique I and other friends who have seen the show have - Iglehart is a personality. It’s really hard to not see it as JMI playing JMI playing Louis Armstrong. James T. Lane has a full-bodied character. Also, they picked the number that showcases some of the much better aspects of the show and leaves JMI in the dust a bit.

That being said, I hope the choreography is not only remembered during Tony time, but DeWitt Fleming Jr. gets co-nominated with Rickey Tripp

Updated On: 10/24/24 at 11:44 AM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/24/24 at 12:16pm

That's a charming performance and JMI is very good doing sort of a "classic" Armstrong impression, but I don't reeeeaally know who it's going to appeal to on GMA.

At least it's leagues better than the performance of the same song in Joker 2!

Updated On: 10/24/24 at 12:16 PM

[DaveyG]

Posted: 10/24/24 at 12:31pm

The GMA performance actually made me interested in seeing this! 

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 10/24/24 at 1:56pm

The GMA performance was excellent. The show itself not so much. Saw it last night. Fantastic performances, but no real compelling story there. 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 5:25am

NYT: Broadway Is Singing Louis Armstrong’s Songs. Here Are 6 Classics.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/28/theater/wonderful-world-louis-armstrong-broadway.html?unlocked_article_code=1.V04.VCpW.pYWLQoc19461

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 7:11am

the early word-of-mouth on this is that James T. Lane is giving a better performance than James Monroe Iglehart.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 1:58pm

ACL2006 said: "the early word-of-mouth on this is that James T. Lane is giving a better performance than James Monroe Iglehart."

Saw the show this past weekend and can confirm, he was brilliant. Enough energy and charisma to carry the entire show. The matinee audience was mostly deeply geriatric, however I think this musical is a great show for the whole family, especially during upcoming holidays. I was pleasantly surprised by it, being a formulaic jukebox. Loved the stage sets!

[mridley2]

Posted: 10/29/24 at 10:21pm

quizking101 said: "JSquared2 said: "quizking101 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Who’s seeing James T. Lane’s first performance as Louis today?"

I am! Full report later but the rush is stingy as hell. In-person is as bad as the TT, and you can only get orch as “upgraded rush” for $79. I love JTL so I splurged.

I’ll post a full report later, but show started at 2:01 and then multiple HUGE groups started showing up at around 2:10-15and wouldn’t stop getting seated and chattering for about 10 minutes. A complaint to the box office got me nowhere"



What did you expect the box office to do??"

I honestly don’t know - it was my friend’s idea because he was raging mad and I’m the more composed/articulate of us, so I figured lodging a complaint was worth a shot, but the guy was so dismissive"

for future reference, if you stayed for the entire performance you have no recourse. Either with the box office or telecharge later on. Your ONLY option is to address the issue right when it happens and demand a refund. "we missed a good chunk of the show, we want to come back when when the audience is not so disruptive". Or if the seats are really bad partial view.  whatever the issue is.  Once you see the show in it's entirety then you have gotten your money's worth.  I know it can be frustrating but that is the terms/policy of the ticketing authorities.

 

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/4/24 at 1:59am

Went back this evening and it’s in MUCH better shape. They’ve shaved about 20 minutes off, including deleting the entire opening number and removing most of the “comeback performance” framework (It’s now just Louis and the pianist reminiscing). The pace is also MUCH tighter. 

The book still has problems when it comes to moving between the wives (Kim Exum is still barely given a character), but at least it was more palatable fare. Plus, the cast at the stage door are happy that the show is running shorter now as well and anticipate only a slight few more tweaks before opening.

Also, if anyone was curious as to how JTL is as Louis - here’s a little sample of “Hello Dolly”

https://streamable.com/8xzb4a

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/4/24 at 8:35am

Does Act 1 still end with the two wives giving a vocal powerhouse performance? I loved that in Chicago.

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/4/24 at 8:38am

RippedMan said: "Does Act 1 still end with the two wives giving a vocal powerhouse performance? I loved that in Chicago."

Oh yes. Very much so

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/4/24 at 9:39am

I went into this show fully expecting to leave at intermission - here in Chicago - and was surprised by how much I really enjoyed myself and the production. Hopefully it finds an audience.