Seven-time NAACP Picture Award winner, former Miss America, and Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams was in New York Metropolis earlier this week to see the Broadway present she is co-producer for, A Fantastic World: The Louis Armstrong Musical, at Studio 54. Notables in attendance included producers Tonya Lewis Lee, Gena Avery Knowles, and Les Coney; creator and tv and radio persona Bevy Smith; ABC tv journalist Deborah Roberts; Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell; stylist to the celebs June Ambrose; and actress Lisa Arrindell.
After the present, by which Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart gave an award-worthy efficiency of the grasp musician, Williams was invited on stage.
“Vanessa was not in a position to be at opening night time as a result of Vanessa was starring in her personal present, she was in London in Satan Wears Prada,” Iglehart mentioned earlier than she took pictures with the solid. Williams stars as Miranda Priestly within the musical at the moment at London’s Dominion Theatre.
Iglehart then honored her mom, music educator Helen Williams, who handed away in late December. Dozens of scholars who’re musicians have been additionally in attendance to have fun the elder Williams.
“The enjoyable factor is we did a present about Louis Armstrong, and in New Orleans, when somebody that we love goes house, we don’t mourn them, we have fun them, and we simply wish to say thanks and thanks for what you’ve achieved for us, and we thank your mother for what she did for us. We’re going to have fun how we do in New Orleans with a second line!”
Musicians then performed a jazzed-up model of “Oh When The Saints Go Marching In,” popularized by Armstrong, as they left the stage accompanied by Williams.
A Fantastic World: The Louis Armstrong Musical is a spirited present with a proficient solid that particulars the beginnings of the long-lasting trumpeter, together with his journeys across the nation and his relationships along with his 4 wives.