Casting is complete for “A Wonderful World,” the new Louis Armstrong bio-musical set to open on Broadway this fall. The previously announced production, directed by Christopher Renshaw, will begin previews on Oct. 16 and open on Nov. 11 at Studio 54. Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart will star as Armstrong.
Newly announced principal cast members include Darlesia Cearcy as Lucille Wilson, Kim Exum as Alpha Smith, Dionne Figgins as Daisy Parker and Jennie Harney-Fleming as Lil Hardin. James T. Lane will play the role of Louis Armstrong during Wednesday evening and Thursday matinée performances.
Cearcy, most recently seen on Broadway in “How to Dance in Ohio,” has also appeared in “Once on This Island,” “The Color Purple,” “Shuffle Along,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Ragtime” and “The Goodbye Girl.”
Exum has been seen on Broadway in “The Book of Mormon,” Off-Broadway in “For the Last Time,” on tour in “Seussical the Musical” and on-screen in “Bull.”
Figgins’ Broadway credits include “Motown the Musical,” “Leap of Faith,” “Memphis” and “Hot Feet.”
Harney-Fleming has previously appeared on Broadway in “The Color Purple” and “Hamilton.”
Lane’s Main Stem résumé includes turns in “Kiss Me, Kate,” “King Kong,” “The Scottsboro Boys,” “A Chorus Line” and “Chicago.” He was seen on tour in “Ain’t Too Proud” and “Fame.”
Rounding out the cast of “A Wonderful World” will be DeWitt Fleming Jr. as Lincoln Perry, Jason Forbach as Crooner and others, Gavin Gregory as King Joe Oliver and Jimmy Smagula as Joe Glaser. Trista Dollison will serve as the standby for the roles of Daisy Parker, Lil Hardin, Alpha Smith and Lucille Wilson.
The musical’s ensemble will include Brandon L. Armstrong, Wesley 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 Dori Waymer. Casting for “A Wonderful World” is by Arc Casting, Duncan Stewart, CSA, and Patrick Maravilla, CSA.
Co-conceived by Renshaw and Andrew Delaplaine and featuring a book by Aurin Squire, “A Wonderful World” tells the story of Armstrong’s life through the perspective of his four wives. The score includes songs made famous by Armstrong.
“A Wonderful World” is being produced by Thomas E. Rodgers Jr., Renee Rodgers, Martian Entertainment (Carl D. White and Gregory Rae), Vanessa Williams, Liz Curtis and Remmel T. Dickinson, in association with Roundabout Theatre Company, owner and operator of Studio 54. “A Wonderful World” will be included as part of Roundabout’s 2024-2025 subscription series.
