Matt Wolpe

Review: A WONDERFUL WORLD Presented by Broadway In Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - Oct 15, 2023

World premiere musical A WONDERFUL WORLD has a wonderful lead in James Monrie Iglehart as Louis Armstrong. Iglehart embodies the acclaimed vocalist and trumpeter completely; he nails Armstrong’s signature raspy voice and vocals and larger-than-life presence, but he’s also a master at embodying the role’s emotions. He’s a joy to watch in every moment he’s onstage, even as Aurin Squire’s book charts both Armstrong’s successes and his more human mistakes. In terms of framework, A WONDERFUL WORLD surprisingly reminded me of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s SIX. The musical starts and ends with Armstrong’s four wives: Daisy Parker (Khalifa White), Lil Hardin (Jennie Harney Fleming), Alpha Smith (Brennyn Lark), and Lucille Wilson (Ta’rea Campbell). Each of the musical’s four parts is centered around one of Armstrong’s wives. While the musical piqued my interest in Armstrong’s biography as a whole, I think this framework meant the timeline on his route to fame was incredibly condensed. And the musical certainly conveys that Armstrong was quite the philanderer; Squire’s book and Christopher Renshaw’s direction and conception don’t shy away at all from the fact that Armstrong cheated on each of his past wives with the next one.

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of A WONDERFUL WORLD in New Orleans
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 12, 2023

A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong recently played at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. See photos from opening night below!

Photos: A WONDERFUL WORLD Begins Rehearsals For Pre-Broadway Engagement
by Stephi Wild - Aug 28, 2023

The 26-member cast of A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong began rehearsals last week in New York City. Check out photos from rehearsal here!

Full Cast Revealed For A WONDERFUL WORLD Musical; Vanessa Williams Joins Producing Team
by Stephi Wild - Jul 12, 2023

Full casting has been announced for A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong, which was previously announced to star James Monroe Iglehart.  The production also welcomes multiple Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams to the lead producing team.  Find out more about the show, and the cast, here!

Photos: Matt Wolpe Stars in SCHOOL OF ROCK at Virginia Musical Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 28, 2023

Get a first look at photos of SCHOOL OF ROCK, which made it’s Virginia regional theater premier this past weekend as part of the 31st season of the famed Virginia Musical Theatre season.

See Taylor Louderman's WRITE OUT LOUD, Countess Luann de Lesseps, Tom Kitt & More at Feinstein's/54 Below This Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 25, 2022

This week, FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Last Chance To Vote For The BroadwayWorld Maine Awards; YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at Ogunquit Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Staff - Dec 27, 2021

This is the last chance to vote for the 2021 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards! The 2021 Regional Awards honor productions which had their first performance between October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

Final Weeks To Vote For The BroadwayWorld Maine Awards; Ogunquit's ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Staff - Dec 20, 2021

Time is running out to vote for for the 2021 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards! The 2021 Regional Awards honor productions which had their first performance between October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

VIDEO: Check Out Footage From Ogunquit Playhouse's Production of ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 4, 2021

With direction by Richard J. Hinds (Ogunquit Playhouse’s Mamma Mia!) and choreography by Brandon Kelly (Remix at Carowinds), your cares are guaranteed to melt away like sunsets over the beach.

BWW Review: ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE at Ogunquit Playhouse
by Dan Marois - Jul 21, 2021

The Ogunquit Playhouse rolls out the second show of its 2021 season with a performance of Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville, a jukebox musical with music and lyrics by (no surprise) Jimmy Buffet and book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley.

VIDEO: Meet the Cast of Ogunquit Playhouse's ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE Regional Premiere
by Stephi Wild - Jul 13, 2021

Escape to Margaritaville follows Tully, JD, Brick, Jamal, and Marley as they welcome a revolving door of vacationers to the Margaritaville hotel, blissfully unaware that the impending arrival of Rachel and Tammy will turn their world upside down.

Ogunquit Playhouse Announces Casting for ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE Regional Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 1, 2021

Kick off your flip flops as Ogunquit Playhouse transforms into a Caribbean oasis where love and laughter are the keys to growing older without having to grow up. Escape to Margaritaville will feature Cailen Fu (Broadway’s Mean Girls) as Rachel, Jake David Smith (Broadway’s Frozen) as Tully, Megan Kane (Emojiland) as Tammy, and more.

Melissa Errico, Joe Iconis, Brenda Braxton, Bianca Marroquín & More to Take Part in BROADWAY LIVE CINEMA FESTIVAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 16, 2021

Broadway Live Cinema Festival, the new film and live performance event honoring Broadway and movie musicals, has announced the lineup of artists set to perform live at the inaugural festival this summer at AMC Empire 25 Theater in Times Square (234 W 42nd St, NYC). 

Jaime Cepero, Matt DeAngelis & Christine Dwyer and More to be Featured in 'Songs for Our City' Songwriting Competition
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 26, 2021

Times Square Alliance has announced the second annual Songs for Our City songwriting competition, which will take place daily this June 1–5, 2021. Songs for Our City will highlight original music from Broadway actors and composers to provide a unique and interactive way for audiences to enjoy new music, while celebrating the Broadway community.

ROCK OF AGES CONCERT Now To Feature Pre-Show Hosted By Randi Zuckerberg, Willam and Tom Lenk
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 23, 2021

Additional details have been announced for the one-night only, bi-coastal livestream jamfest Rock of Ages: All-Star Reunion Concert tomorrow night, Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 8:00PM ET. All ticket purchasers will have the option of watching the concert live and/or on demand for an additional 24 hours through Monday, April 26.

Kate Rockwell, Mitchell Jarvis, Wesley Taylor & More Join ROCK OF AGES: All-Star Reunion Concert
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 6, 2021

Additional casting has just been announced for the one-night only, bi-coastal livestream jamfest Rock of Ages: All-Star Reunion Concert. The “supergroup” of a lineup for the concert event will now also feature the following alumni of the hit musical: Grammy Award-winning “Tenacious D” musician Kyle Gass; Emmy Award-winning comedian and television host Chris Hardwick; Drama Desk-nominated Broadway star Kate Rockwell; Helen Hayes Award winner Mitchell Jarvis; Theatre World Award-winning Broadway favorite Wesley Taylor and stage & recording artist Becca Kötte.

Constantine Maroulis, Laura Bell Bundy, Frankie Grande & More Will Take Part in ROCK OF AGES Reunion Concert
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 16, 2021

Here they go again! The cast has just been announced for the one-night only, bi-coastal livestream jamfest Rock of Ages: All-Star Reunion Concert on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 8:00PM ET, available exclusively on Stellar.

Phenomenology Virtually Connects Broadway Talent To Public Schools During Pandemic
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 13, 2020

Phenomenology, Inc., an innovative production model in the performing arts, is facilitating connections between Broadway performers and the Academy of Fine Arts, which brings together more than 80 students across 10 public high schools who are interested in learning visual art, dance, music and theatre.

Juwan Crawley, Cheeyang Ng, Anthony Norman and More Featured in Final Broadway Buskers Concerts
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 1, 2020

The Times Square Alliance announced today the performer lineup for the remainder of this year's Broadway Buskers concerts.

BWW Review: ROCK OF AGES Fully Immersive and Totally Fun Juke Box Musical Returns Home to Hollywood
by Shari Barrett - Jan 16, 2020

The five-time Tony Award-nominated hit classic has returned to its roots on Hollywood Blvd. with an immersive theatrical and dining experience at a specially built performance venue and nightlife destination named after the venue at the center of the show, The Bourbon Room. And with 6 years on Broadway and over 2,350 performances, 5 Tony nominations, 20 productions worldwide and 30 hit songs from the 80s, ROCK OF AGES is the best-reviewed, most-nominated, hair band musical of all time and not to be missed this time around as the cast and creative team are filled with Tony Nominees, Rock of Ages Alums, Broadway talent and fresh faces who generate enough energy to light up the city!