Gina Guarino* as Wanda, Scott Davidson* as Captain, Carmiña Monserrat* as Liza Jane and Tre Moore* as L.D. (Photo by Brennen Russell)
By Jen Barraza
As The Phoenix Theatre Company brings its 105th season to a jubilant close, the spotlight turns to Let the Good Times Roll: A New Orleans Gumbo, a world premiere musical infused with jazz, resilience, and the brilliance of Broadway’s finest. Opening August 8 in the Hormel Theatre, this vibrant production is more than a season finale. It is a convergence of theatrical titans shaping a fresh, soulful narrative. 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.
At the heart of this exciting new work is Tony Award winner Jack Viertel, who conceived and wrote Let the Good Times Roll. A respected force behind landmark productions such as Smokey Joe’s Cafe, After Midnight, and The Prom, Viertel draws on his lifelong love of New Orleans music to craft this original story. His writing channels the city’s indomitable spirit into a moving narrative of healing, rediscovery, and the unbreakable rhythm of community.
Bringing the score to its electrifying heights is Sonny Paladino, celebrated for his music supervision and orchestrations on Broadway hits including A Beautiful Noise, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Paladino’s arrangements pulse with the sounds of Bessie Smith, Dr. John, The Meters, and more, anchoring the production in the city’s cultural heartbeat.
The production is helmed by Sara Edwards, whose Broadway pedigree includes choreographic contributions to Hello Dolly!, Follies, and After Midnight. Now stepping into the dual role of director and choreographer, Edwards brings a keen eye for musical storytelling and a flair for capturing the soul of a setting. She leads a cast of powerhouse performers, featuring a dynamic blend of local and visiting talent, including rising stars and seasoned professionals.
Producers Michael P. Kruke and Ram Narasimhan, both with Broadway credits on shows such as Real Women Have Curves and Take Me Out, bring their passion for bold, original stories to this endeavor. Their collaboration with The Phoenix Theatre Company continues the theatre’s mission to elevate its national presence by incubating new works with wide-reaching potential.
Let the Good Times Roll began its journey at the 2024 Festival of New American Theatre, where audiences played a vital role in shaping its evolution. Now, with its premiere on the horizon and a concept album set to release on August 6, featuring Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee and the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band, the production is poised to resonate well beyond the Valley. The album will also be available for purchase in the lobby before each performance, giving audience members the chance to take a piece of the production home with them.
This is not just a show. It is a celebration. And thanks to the extraordinary talents behind it, Let the Good Times Roll may be destined for a life far beyond its Phoenix roots. Don’t miss the chance to say you saw it first.
Performances run August 6 through August 31, 2025, at The Phoenix Theatre Company’s Hormel Theatre. Tickets are available now at phoenixtheatre.com.
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*Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.
