If you haven’t seen The Book of Mormon yet, chances are you’ve at least heard the praise.
Since its Broadway debut in 2011, the smash-hit musical has been heralded by critics far and wide as one of the funniest and best of all time. And in those 14 years, it has become among the most successful shows in Broadway history, winning nine Tony Awards, a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album, and a whole coffer full of international accolades.
Created by “South Park” masterminds Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with songwriter Robert Lopez (Disney’s Frozen and Coco), the production blends razor-sharp satire with irresistible musical numbers to tell the story of two mismatched Mormon missionaries sent to a remote Ugandan village to spread the Good Word. As one might expect given the creative team, hilarity and off-color humor that might make some blush ensues.
Next week, The Book of Mormon’s national tour, directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner, returns to the San Diego Civic Theatre for a limited engagement June 10-15. Tickets are available here.
Lead Sam McLellan will reprise his role as the ambitious and self-assured Elder Price. McLellan, who first joined the tour in 2022 and wowed San Diego audiences in 2023, recently marked his 500th performance in the role.
Times of San Diego caught up with McLellan on the road and he was, you might say, an open book – sharing his thoughts on landing the role, the most challenging part of performing night after night, and why someone would want to see The Book of Mormon more than once.
Bring us back to when you first landed the role of Elder Price. What was the audition process like and how did you react when you heard you won the part?
“I auditioned for this show while I was on tour with ‘Anastasia’ playing Dmitry. I sent a tape and was later asked to come in person to do a callback. Shortly after, I got an appointment for a final callback sometime after that. The process was pretty standard as far as Broadway auditions go, but I definitely felt confident throughout since this was a role I’d always dreamed of doing so I’d been working on the material for a long time. When I got the email offer, I was on the tour bus during the morning quiet hours so I was whisper yelling to my friends that I booked the role. It was tough to respect the people sleeping because I was so excited.”
How do you feel your previous stage experience prepared you for this role?
“Every job I did before this has taught me invaluable skills that have carried over. Regular work in front of the audience is key to building an understanding of how to connect with them and to feel comfortable in an otherwise uncomfortable situation. Being secure in the emotional moments as well as the comedic moments is all a result of constant exposure to audiences, learning the ebbs and flows of how that relationship builds over the course of an evening together.”
What’s been the most challenging part of performing in The Book of Mormon, and what’s been the most rewarding?
“This show is a monster sing. The greatest challenge is the sheer amount of tenor you need to be able to make it to the end of the night, let alone the end of the week. It’s been a true pleasure to navigate these challenges over the years and grow as a singer. The most rewarding part has to be how audiences react. When I hit the key moments the right way, the connection with the audience is palpable. I’ve never done a show with such a grip on the crowd.”
Why should someone see The Book of Mormon for the first time when it comes to San Diego? Why would a theatergoer want to see it again?
“This is the perfect show for new theatergoers. It bucks the trend in a lot of ways and does away with musical theater cliches, except when they’re used for comedic effect. And for those who are familiar with the theater but not with this piece, expect to have one of the most laughter — filled evenings of your life. On top of the comedy, the show is truly full of so much heart and soul, the only reason the comedy works is because it’s built upon a genuinely human story with gripping characters. For those who have seen the show already, this is the time to come back. Since we were last in San Diego we have seen a lot of cast changeover, and I have to shout out my man Diego Enrico who plays Elder Cunningham. His performance alone is worth the cost of admission.”
Donovan Roche is a longtime music, arts and entertainment writer/editor based in San Diego. Send your story ideas to droche617@gmail.com.
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