Watch Louis Armstrong Blow His Horn Again in First Footage of Broadway'sA Wonderful WorldMusical (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Louis Armstrongis the latest music legend to have his life story told ina Broadway bio musical.

The Grammy-winning trumpeter and vocalist — who was known as the King of Jazz over the course of his five decades in the spotlight before his death in 1971 at the age of 69 — comes to life again inA Wonderful World, the new musical which opens on Monday, Nov. 11 at Studio 54 in New York City.

PEOPLE can exclusively debut a trailer for the production, which features Tony winnerJames Monroe Iglehartstepping into the famed star’s shoes.

The footage begins with Iglehart blowing on a trumpet before channeling Armstrong’s signature growl to sing the musical’s title song. Clips are then shown of various moments throughout the show, including including what appears to be a high-energy dance number set to Armstrong’s 1955 hit, “When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles with You].”

James Monroe Iglehart as Louis Armstrong in the Broadway musical, ‘A Wonderful World’.Courtesy of A Wonderful World

Courtesy of A Wonderful World

Award-winning Broadway vet James T. Lane (Chicago,Kiss Me Kate,A Chorus Line) plays Armstrong at certain performances.

The company of ‘A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical’ on Broadway.Jeremy Daniel

Jeremy Daniel

Iglehart, who won a Tony Award for portraying the Genie in Broadway’sAladdin,looks unrecognizable as Armstrong, transforming into the beloved performer. But he doesn’t just star in the musical; he also co-directs it alongside Christian Sajous. Tony Award nominee Christopher Renshaw is credited as the main director.

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Dionne Figgins, Jennie Harney-Fleming, James Monroe Iglehart, Kim Exum, Darlesia Cearcy and the company of ‘A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical’ on Broadway.Jeremy Daniel

Back in October, Iglehart opened up to PEOPLE about stepping into the co-director role for the Broadway transfer, after leading the show in itspre-Broadway runs in New Orleansand Chicago.

“I wasn’t really thinking about directing it, but once we got to work on the show, when we were out of town, I had a lot of opinions,” Iglehart recalled. “And they were like, ‘Okay, you have a lot of opinions but your opinions are pretty good. You seem to have a knack for putting things together. What do you think? Would you be interested in joining the creative team?’ "

“It’s been a really fun time,” he said, of the process. “I love the creation of new musicals or new shows. There is something about getting the words on the page, taking it all apart and then putting it all back together and going. ‘Okay, let’s see what we have.’ There’s something really magical about that.”

Tickets forA Wonderful Worldare now on sale.

source: people.com