A Wonderful World (musical)

Miami New Drama (2020-2021)

The musical was commissioned by Michel Hausmann, artistic director of Miami New Drama.^[6] The project was developed and workshopped beginning in 2019 at Miami New Drama and was originally set to have its world premiere on March 5, 2020, running until April 5th, 2020. This production was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rescheduled at the end of 2021, running from December 4, 2021, until January 16, 2022. Dionne Figgins was originally cast as Daisy Parker, while Lillian Hardin was originally played by Lana Gordon. The two roles were re-cast following the pandemic.^[7][8]

New Orleans and Chicago (2022-2023)

After the world premiere production, the musical was taken on the road to further workshop in New Orleans at the Saenger Theatre from October 1–8, 2023 and in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre October 13, 2023 through October 29, 2023.^[9] The musical held private readings in New York City in 2022 featuring James Monroe Iglehart as Armstrong, Krystal Joy Brown as Alpha Smith, Patrice Covington as Lucille Wilson, Jennie Harney-Fleming as Lillian Hardin, and Aisha Jackson as Daisy Parker.^[10][11]

Broadway (2024)

In February 2024, it was announced the show would transfer to Broadway later that fall, opening at Studio 54 on November 11, 2024 following previews beginning October 16, 2024. Vanessa Williams serves as a producer on the project and Iglehart reprised his starring role as well as co-directed with Christina Sajous, who originally played Daisy in Miami. Branford Marsalis was added as orchestrator.^[12][13] The show closed on February 23, 2025.Evans, Greg (January 27, 2025). "'A Wonderful World: the Louis Armstrong Musical' Announces Broadway Closing Date". Deadline. Retrieved May 20, 2025.

Act 1

• "Basin Street Blues" / "Bourbon Street Parade" - Company
• "Kiss of Fire" - Louis, Daisy
• "It's Tight Like That" - King Joe Oliver, Louis, Daisy, Ensemble
• "Kiss of Fire" (reprise) - Daisy
• "Up a Lazy River" - Banjo Ben
• "Avalon" - Louis and Company
• "Black and Blue" - Louis, Daisy, Lil, Alpha, Lucille
• "It Don't Mean a Thing" - King Joe Oliver, Ensemble
• "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" - King Joe Oliver, Louis
• "Got a Bran' New Suit" - Lil, Louis, King Joe Oliver
• "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" - Lil, Louis
• "Heebie Jeebies" - Louis, Lil, Ensemble
• "Dinah" - Louis
• "Tiger Rag" - Louis, Lil, Ensemble
• "You Rascal You" - Louis, Ensemble
• "Some of These Days" / "After You've Gone" - Lil, Daisy

Act 2

• "Oh, When The Saints Go Marching In" - Louis, Crooner
• "Big Butter and Egg Man" - Alpha, Louis
• "When You're Smiling" - Louis, Lincoln Perry, Ensemble
• "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" - King Joe Oliver
• "Ain't No Sweet Man That's Worth the Salt of My Tears" - Alpha
• "I Double Dare You" - Lucille, Ensemble
• "Cheek to Cheek" - Louis, Lucille
• "That's My Home" - Lucille
• "Back O'Town Blues" - Louis
• "Star Spangled Banner" - Louis
• "Hello, Dolly" - Louis
• "St. James Infirmary" - Daisy, Lil, Alpha, Lucille
• "What a Wonderful World" - Louis, Daisy, Lil, Alpha, Lucille, Company