219-933-3365
Chicago proved to be a wonderful testing ground for a new theatrical project.
“A Wonderful World, A new Musical About The Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong,” enjoying a pre-Broadway run to Oct. 29 in Chicago, has been enlivening the stage of The Cadillac Palace Theatre.
The show, which stars James Monroe Iglehart, tells the story of jazz great Louie Armstrong, known as Satchmo, and features a good deal of the musician’s hit songs.
Christopher Renshaw, co-creator/director of “A Wonderful World,” said it’s exciting to have the production do a pre-Broadway engagement in The Windy City.
“He (Armstrong) found his amazing stride in Chicago,” Renshaw said. The musician was born in New Orleans and later came to Chicago.
Renshaw said his time in Chicago changed Armstrong’s career in a big way.
People are also reading…
The director said he was long a fan of trumpeter Armstrong’s music.
“I grew up in London My mom and dad played his records. It was always part of my life,” he said.
Renshaw said he thought Armstrong seemed “fun’ and seemed to be a “warm” personality.
Like many other people, Renshaw knew the great songs but never really knew about his life. The director said the creators of the musical wanted to relay the story of the musician’s life through this project. The unique musical is actually told through the eyes of Satchmo’s four wives.
Choosing the songs for a musical such as this, Renshaw said, is an interesting process. Renshaw believes that music offers “an amazing musical connection to an audience” when it’s part of a production, especially when they are songs that they know and love.
Renshaw has previously worked with the shows “Taboo” with the music of Boy George and “We Will Rock You,” with the music of Queen, among others.
“A Wonderful World” features a variety of Armstrong’s tunes including “When You’re Smiling,” “Hello Dolly” and the poignant “A Wonderful World.”
For more information, visit BroadwayInChicago.com and louisarmstrongmusical.com.
