A WONDERFUL WORLD: THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MUSICAL Reviews- Page 2

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/5/24 at 8:39pm

I saw the matinee today. I'm a big fan of James T. Lane and he was outstanding in the role. Overall, the show gets off to a slow start, but by middle of Act 1 it settles in. Act 2 is very solid with a solid opener, the big tap numbers, "Smiling", and the finale featuring the title number. This might slowly find an audience if A Beautiful Noise could as well. I'd assume it's also cheaper to run than A Beautiful Noise as it has a smaller cast and orchestra. 

They also had all swings on with the female swing splitting two tracks. This show might try and stick it out through the Winter. The matinee today appeared nearly soldout.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 12/5/24 at 8:43pm

James T. Lane is the one to see.  He's great.

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 12/5/24 at 9:01pm

ACL2006 said: "I saw the matinee today. I'm a big fan of James T. Lane and he was outstanding in the role. Overall, the show gets off to a slow start, but by middle of Act 1 it settles in. Act 2 is very solid with a solid opener, the big tap numbers, "Smiling", and the finale featuring the title number. This might slowly find an audience if A Beautiful Noise could as well. I'd assume it's also cheaper to run than A Beautiful Noise as it has a smaller cast and orchestra.

They also had all swings on with the female swing splitting two tracks. This show might try and stick it out through the Winter. The matinee today appeared nearly soldout."

 

Don't want to be a Debbie Downer here, but last week's capacity was around 65%, pretty much like 'Swept away'. That's definitely not a good indicator for a holiday weekend like thanksgiving, but I hope I'm wrong

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/5/24 at 9:12pm

This and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING are next up to close early. Both will likely be gone by January 5. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/5/24 at 9:33pm

pablitonizer said: "ACL2006 said: "I saw the matinee today. I'm a big fan of James T. Lane and he was outstanding in the role. Overall, the show gets off to a slow start, but by middle of Act 1 it settles in. Act 2 is very solid with a solid opener, the big tap numbers, "Smiling", and the finale featuring the title number. This might slowly find an audience if A Beautiful Noise could as well. I'd assume it's also cheaper to run than A Beautiful Noise as it has a smaller cast and orchestra.

They also had all swings on with the female swing splitting two tracks. This show might try and stick it out through the Winter. The matinee today appeared nearly soldout."



Don't want to be a Debbie Downer here, but last week's capacity was around 65%, pretty much like 'Swept away'. That's definitely not a good indicator for a holiday weekend likethanksgiving,but I hope I'm wrong"

This and A Beautiful Noise are appealing to an older audience. So their typical audience wasn't in the city during Thanksgiving weekend. trying to appear hopeful for this show at least like the fans of MHE are.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/5/24 at 9:50pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "This and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING are next up to close early. Both will likely be gone by January 5."

Uhm, didnt you previously "report" that MHE already had a closing date set for December? And that before tickets were sold or reviews were out that Swept Away was pre-determined to close the day before Christmas? Being wildly wrong about these predictions makes you pause not even for a minute, huh

[Ravanne_1]

Posted: 12/6/24 at 7:11am

Neither of the shows are in a particularly good place. It's worse for AWW, which I'm expecting to close sooner rather than later but the news isn't great for MHE either. Neither show is selling out and selling tickets at a price that can sustain them over the long run. The holiday weekend, which normally lifts all boats (no pun intended for Swept Away) did nothing for AWW so in the closing sweepstakes, I'm expecting that they're next on the chopping block. Which goes to show that not every jukebox musical is destined to have mass audience appeal.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 12/6/24 at 9:16am

Cats would be perfect for 54! Let’s make it happen 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 10:12am

James T. Lane has been on all week as JMI has been out sick. Might be a good day to rush if anyone has an open slot today.

[yyys]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 10:26am

has the run time changed at all?  

[In The Jackson Heights]

Posted: 12/31/24 at 3:44pm

I went in with very low expectations based on reviews and WOM and I was pleasantly surprised.   I typically don't have much use for jukebox bio musicals and this is certainly not groundbreaking theater but it was pleasant evening at the theater.  I thought the choreography was excellent and there are some very strong performances (in spite of the issues with the book).  This strikes me as the perfect show to take on tour.  

 

Oh, and may we please see more of Darlesia Cearcy on Broadway! 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 12/31/24 at 3:56pm

I found the choreography rather lackluster myself! I thought there were too few dancers, but maybe that was because of my view. Agreed about Darlesia though. Her acting was better than every other wife IMO.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/31/24 at 5:27pm

ACL2006 said: "James T. Lane has been on all week as JMI has been out sick. Might be a good day to rush if anyone has an open slot today."

James T. Lane did end up doing 8 out of the last nine shows since last Monday. JMI only did the Thursday evening performance and apparently didn't sound well at all. Let's see if he's back this Thursday evening and can get through a five show weekend.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/31/24 at 5:48pm

yyys said: "has the run time changed at all?"

It runs about 2:35, as opposed to 2:55 early in previews.

Considering The show was on their last performance of this leg of the holiday stretch, I thought it was undoubtedly the best performance of the six I have attended. I felt like everybody left absolutely everything on the stage, and there were even moments That hit a lot differently than before.

I still stick by my opinion that James T Lane. is the superior of the two Louis Armstrongs. But also, Jennie Harvey-Fleming and Darlesia Cearcy are the two wives that threatened to walk away with the entire show every time. Also, DeWitt Fleming’s tap choreography remains a real highlight of this production, especially during “When You’re Smiling”.

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/31/24 at 5:53pm

it does feel like a nice, little show to see despite its flaws. Sadly, I don't see it lasting much longer unless they get a drastic bump in sales this Winter.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/31/24 at 6:55pm

ACL2006 said: "it does feel like a nice, little show to see despite its flaws. Sadly, I don't see it lasting much longer unless they get a drastic bump in sales this Winter."

As I said in another thread, the thinning of the heard next month might actually help it out. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/1/25 at 11:07am

Again saw it in Chicago for $30. Had ever intention to leave at intermission but really enjoyed the show. Totally recommend. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/1/25 at 11:17am

Their rush is very easy. $45 at the box office the day of performances.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/2/25 at 7:00pm

James T. Lane is on again tonight for JMI. If JMI remains out for the rest of the week, I wonder if they'll give Brandon Armstrong an opportunity to go on as Louis Armstrong once? Brandon is Louis Armstrong's great grandson*.

*EDIT: great-great nephew.

Updated On: 1/2/25 at 07:00 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/2/25 at 7:14pm

** Great-Great Nephew

Yeah, I had asked JTL if they had rehearsed Brandon and I believe they said they have, but that JTL will always be the first cover/standby. So if for whatever reason JTL needs a night and JMI isn't back or not his scheduled day, then Brandon would go on.

It’s a “stars all have to align” situation

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/2/25 at 7:56pm

quizking101 said: "** Great-Great Nephew

Yeah, I had asked JTLif they had rehearsed Brandon and I believe they said they have, but that JTL will always be the first cover/standby. So if for whatever reason JTL needs a night and JMI isn't back or not his scheduled day, then Brandon would go on.

It’s a “stars all have to align” situation"

whoops. he shortened his bio.

they have a 7 show/4 day schedule currently. Both JMI & JTL have said that doing his voice is though on their own. So if JMI is still out this weekend, I won't be surprised if Brandon goes on once.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/3/25 at 9:58pm

Iglehart was back tonight. let's see if he does the full 5-show weekend.

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/4/25 at 9:08am

ACL2006 said: "Iglehart was back tonight. let's see if he does the full 5-show weekend."

That would be a no.

JTL posted that he is on this afternoon

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/4/25 at 9:42am

saw JTL's post. Have to wonder if the role is taking its toll on JMI in general. Let's see how much longer the show stays running, too.