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Chicago proved to be an exquisite testing floor for a brand new theatrical mission.
“A Fantastic World, A brand new Musical About The Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong,” having fun with a pre-Broadway run to Oct. 29 in Chicago, has been enlivening the stage of The Cadillac Palace Theatre.
The present, which stars James Monroe Iglehart, tells the story of jazz nice Louie Armstrong, often called Satchmo, and options a great deal of the musician’s hit songs.
Christopher Renshaw, co-creator/director of “A Fantastic World,” mentioned it is thrilling to have the manufacturing do a pre-Broadway engagement in The Windy Metropolis.
“He (Armstrong) discovered his wonderful stride in Chicago,” Renshaw mentioned. The musician was born in New Orleans and later got here to Chicago.
Renshaw mentioned his time in Chicago modified Armstrong’s profession in a giant manner.
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The director mentioned he was lengthy a fan of trumpeter Armstrong’s music.
“I grew up in London My mother and pa performed his data. It was at all times a part of my life,” he mentioned.
Renshaw mentioned he thought Armstrong appeared “enjoyable’ and appeared to be a “heat” character.
Like many different individuals, Renshaw knew the nice songs however by no means actually knew about his life. The director mentioned the creators of the musical needed to relay the story of the musician’s life by means of this mission. The distinctive musical is definitely informed by means of the eyes of Satchmo’s 4 wives.
Selecting the songs for a musical corresponding to this, Renshaw mentioned, is an fascinating course of. Renshaw believes that music affords “an incredible musical connection to an viewers” when it is a part of a manufacturing, particularly when they’re songs that they know and love.
Renshaw has beforehand labored with the exhibits “Taboo” with the music of Boy George and “We Will Rock You,” with the music of Queen, amongst others.
“A Fantastic World” options a wide range of Armstrong’s tunes together with “When You are Smiling,” “Whats up Dolly” and the poignant “A Fantastic World.”
For extra info, go to BroadwayInChicago.com and louisarmstrongmusical.com.
