Tony Award-Winning Broadway Creatives Join Forces for New Musical World Premiere at The Phoenix Theatre Company 

(July 8, 2025 – PHOENIX) — Producer Michael P. Kruke and co-producer Ram Narasimhan in association with The Phoenix Theatre Company, proudly presents the world premiere of Let the Good Times Roll: A New Orleans Gumbo, an original musical that unites acclaimed Broadway veterans with local talent in a celebration of music and community. The show wraps up the 24/25 season running from August 6–31, 2025, in the Hormel Theatre. 

Conceived and written by Tony Award winner Jack Viertel with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Broadway’s Sonny Paladino, and directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Sara Edwards, this world premiere production offers a vibrant, music-filled journey through the soul of New Orleans.  

“I’ve been in love with the music of New Orleans since I bought my first Jelly Roll Morton record at the age of 15,” said Jack Viertel. “It was when I began regular visits in the early ‘70s that I came to understand the music is nothing more or less than an outgrowth of the irresistible spirit of the people themselves and the place they call home: Thrilling, sexy, celebratory, sometimes heartbreaking but always unique and authentic. Capturing that spirit led me to conceive Let the Good Times Roll, and I’m thrilled to be working with The Phoenix Theater Company. With its deeply experienced artists and staff and its smart and curious audiences, it’s a wonderful place to begin this journey.”  

Let the Good Times Roll is a rhythmic tribute to a city that rises again and again, wrapped in the joyful sounds of jazz, blues, funk, and gospel telling the story of a young woman rediscovering life in the city’s embrace. 

Set to the music of New Orleans legends like Bessie Smith, Dr. John, The Meters, Fats Domino, Lyle Lovett, Harry Connick Jr. and more, the story centers on a young woman who lands in a lively neighborhood bar, still reeling from heartbreak. There, she meets a group of eclectic locals whose own stories of loss, survival, and celebration help her reconnect with her strength.  

“When Let the Good Times Roll was shown to me, I loved the concept immediately,” said Producer Michael P. Kruke. “And I was aware of the success of Phoenix Theatre and their strong desire to expand the theatre’s profile beyond Arizona. This seemed like a great opportunity that could create national recognition for them while also giving them a chance to produce a world premiere in association with Ram and me, developed by a team of Broadway veterans, with a collection of irresistible songs and with a feeling of pure celebration.”  

This musical had its first reading at The Phoenix Theatre Company’s 2024 Festival of New American Theatre, where guests gave feedback and had a hand in molding it into the production they’ll see on stage this August. 

“Watching it grow into a full production has been incredibly rewarding,” said Artistic Director Michael Barnard. “Developing new work is a vital part of our mission, and we are committed to continuing that work and helping launch the next generation of theatre.”  

Against the backdrop of historical moments like the Great Flood and Hurricane Katrina, the show captures what it means to fall apart and rebuild within the pulse of “The Big Easy.” 

The cast features William Bailey* (Onyx); Scott Davidson* (Captain); Gina Guarino* (Wanda); Miciah Lathan* (Maretha); Carmiña Monserrat* (Liza Jane); Tre Moore* (L.D.); Ernest Allen (Swing); Savannah Inez (Swing); and Robert Watson (Understudy).  

*Denotes members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.  

The show runs August 6 to August 31 with an official opening on August 8 in the Hormel Theater at The Phoenix Theatre Company (1825 N. Central Avenue) as part of their 105th season. Tickets are on sale now at www.phoenixtheatre.com.  

In celebration of the first preview of this world premiere on August 6, Joy Machine Records will release a concept album of the show, featuring songs made famous by everyone from Bessie Smith to Dr. John, Professor Longhair, The Meters, Harry Connick, Jr., Rebirth Brass Band and Randy Newman among many others. Produced by Sonny Paladino, the recording will highlight performances by Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee, Rashidra Scott, John Edwards, Jonny Rosch, and Alysha Umphress, with a guest appearance by the Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band. 

ABOUT THE PHOENIX THEATRE COMPANY: Founded in 1920, The Phoenix Theatre Company is Arizona’s first arts organization and the largest professional regional theatre company in the state. With nearly 600 performances annually across multiple stages, it plays a vital role in the cultural fabric of the Valley and is a proud founding member of the Central Arts District. Dedicated to enriching lives through the power of live theatre, The Phoenix Theatre Company’s mission is to create exceptional theatrical experiences that inspire hope and understanding. Now, as it prepares to launch into its 106th season, The Phoenix Theatre Company is building a state-of-the-art theatre 500 seat complex to meet growing community demand and deepen its artistic impact. This exciting expansion will elevate the audience experience, increase accessibility, and ensure the organization’s continued role as a cultural cornerstone and innovator for generations to come. To learn more about upcoming productions, outreach initiatives, and ways to get involved, visit www.phoenixtheatre.com 

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS: 

MICHAEL P. KRUKE (Producer) is a longtime investor and producer with deep roots in both business and Broadway. He has served as a producer, co-producer, or investor on numerous Tony Award-winning productions, including the original Broadway runs of Big River, Into the Woods, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Producers, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, Jersey Boys, Take Me Out, Real Women Have Curves, and the world premiere of The Bedwetter. He is also a producer of Let the Good Times Roll: A New Orleans Gumbo, continuing his commitment to the development and championing of new theatrical work. 

RAM NARASIMHAN (Co-producer) is a successful businessman and entrepreneur specializing in water treatment engineering and founder and majority owner of NCS Engineers. A passionate advocate for new and dynamic voices in theatre, he is proud to support innovative storytelling on stage. He served as Co-Producer for Take Me Out, as well as the Broadway premiere of Real Women Have Curves. Narasimhan continues to promote bold new works as an investor in the world premiere of The Bedwetter and serves as co-producer for Let the Good Times Roll: A New Orleans Gumbo world premiere.   

JACK VIERTEL (Conceiver and Writer) is Senior Vice-President Emeritus of Broadway’s Jujamcyn Theaters, has also served as the company’s Creative Director, in charge of overseeing the development of new projects for the company’s five Broadway theaters beginning in 1987, including five of August Wilson’s legendary ten– play “Century Cycle” plays, beginning with the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Piano Lesson. His earliest shows for Jujamcyn were the original production of Into the Woods and M. Butterfly. He has been instrumental in bringing many Tony winning new plays, musicals and revivals to Jujamcyn’s theaters, including Angels in America, Jerry Zaks’s legendary production of Guys and Dolls, Grand Hotel, City of Angels, Jelly’s Last Jam, the Brian Dennehy production of Death of a Salesman, Proof, Doubt, The Producers, Book of Mormon, Love! Valour! Compassion! and Take Me Out. He produced the Patti Lupone revival of Gypsy and the critically acclaimed revival of Finian’s Rainbow starring Kate Baldwin. He was a co-producer and conceiver of the longest running musical revue in Broadway history, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, the conceiver of the critically acclaimed After Midnight, and served as the dramaturg for Hairspray, Dear Evan Hansen, A Christmas Story and The Outsiders. The musical and movie The Prom were developed from his original concept. From 2000 to 2020 he also served as Artistic Director of the Tony honored Encores! series at New York City Center, where he oversaw the presentation of over 70 productions including such shows as Damn Yankees, Juno, Follies, Lost in the Stars, House of Flowers, 1776, Merrily We Roll Along, The Most Happy Fella and Mack & Mabel.  

SONNY PALADINO (Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations). He recently served as Music Supervisor, Arranger, Orchestrator and Conductor for the Broadway Musical A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical and is currently the Music Supervisor for the National Tour. Music Supervisor for the Broadway Musical, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Music Director, arranger and orchestrator for the Broadway musical Getting the Band Back Together, and the off-Broadway revival of Smokey Joe’s Café. Coming soon, The Wanderer (based on the life of Dion DiMucci). Arrangements and orchestrations for The Indianapolis, Baltimore, Vancouver, Detroit and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s and The Philly Pops. Associate Conductor for The Last Ship (written by 16 time Grammy Award winner Sting), and the TONY winning best revival, Pippin. Other Broadway credits as a musician, Jesus Christ Superstar, Billy Elliot, Grease, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Guys and Dolls, Mama Mia, Promises, Promises, Addams Family, Women on the Verge. Music Supervisor for Disney’s High School Musical (Milan/Italy tour.) 1st National Tours: Disney’s High School Musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Grease. TV: Disney’s Encore!, The X-Factor (Australia), The Next Big Thing. Sonny is also a founding member and arranger of the hit group The Doo Wop Project, which tours the country performing classic Doo Wop music and contemporary songs in that style. As a record producer: Cast albums for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Getting the Band Back Together, four albums for The Doo Wop Project, Joy the musical and Broadway Vacation (concept albums), and projects for solo artists, such as Matthew Morrison, Kyle Taylor Parker and Carlie Hughes  

SARA EDWARDS (Director and Choreographer). Her Broadway credits include Pirates! The Penzance Musical, Barry Manilow’s Harmony, The Music Man with Hugh Jackman, Hello Dolly! with Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, Donna Murphy and Betty Buckley, She Loves Me, After Midnight with Fantasia, and Patti LaBelle (Tony award winner Best Choreography), Follies, Chaplin, White Christmas. NYC Theater: Radio City Rockettes’ Spring Spectacular, NYC Ballet, Tony Awards, PBS Great Performances, and five NY City Center Encores!. Select Regional director and/or choreographer work: Ragtime, The Music Man, Anything Goes, White Christmas, Medora Musical!, Grease!, Tick,Tick, Boom!. Sara is Bette Midler’s choreographer for her annual fundraiser Hulaween and Bernadette Peters’ Broadway Barks.