Music Theatre International Acquires Licensing Rights to WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Music Theatre International has acquired the new holiday jukebox musical, What A Wonderful World, which features a mix of iconic Christmas songs as well as other pop hits from across the decades, including the title song made famous by Louis Armstrong. The project was developed in collaboration with BMG and Primary Wave Music.

The musical features a book by Jeremy Desmon (Pump Up The Volume), and arrangements and orchestrations by Jesse Vargas (For The Record Live, Invincible- The Musical). Titusville Executive & Artistic Director Steven J. Heron will direct the production with Spencer Crosswell serving as music director.

The musical premiered in December 2021 at Timberlake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll, IL under the direction of Paul Stancato and has since continued its development. The score includes hit Christmas songs such as “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” as well as popular songs made famous by artists including Kelly Clarkson, The Romantics, Imagine Dragons, Rascal Flatts, Shawn Mendes, American Authors, Rachel Platten, Hootie & The Blowfish, among others, arranged in post-modern jukebox style by Vargas.

Set in mid-century New York City (and the North Pole), What A Wonderful World, is the magical tale of how Santa and Mrs. Claus try to retire, but in doing so, they must pass on the baton to the new Santa. When the magic Sleigh Bells choose a young New York ad exec for the iconic position, he declines the offer, putting the North pole, and the fate of Christmas in jeopardy of disappearing forever.

“We’re excited to expand our existing relationship with the entire team at MTI with what we hope and expect will become a new standard Holiday show for theaters around the country,” said Michael Barra, CEO of Lively McCabe Entertainment. “We’re grateful to all of the music publishers and songwriters who’ve contributed songs to the show, and especially to our frequent collaborators at Primary Wave and BMG.”

Drew Cohen, MTI’s President and CEO remarked, “Lively McCabe has produced a terrific musical perfect for any group looking for holiday season programming. Audiences love the familiarity of the many hit songs in the score, all of which are recognizable and support a cleverly original, funny, and heartwarming twist on the Santa tale. We look forward to seeing many productions around the Wonderful world.”

Information about licensing What A Wonderful World will be available on MTI’s website in the coming months. 

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