When something is created by renegades, is an original tale, has taken years to get out of development hell, swept the award season and been wellreceived by other criticswell, it can be downright intimidating to approach. The tony awardwinning hit musical the book of mormon, penned by south park writers trey parker and matt stone, and avenue q songwriter robert lopez, officially opens in. Syesha mercado dreaming big on broadway and film just nekia. Dec 19, 2012 the tony awardwinning hit musical the book of mormon, penned by south park writers trey parker and matt stone, and avenue q songwriter robert lopez, officially opens in chicago dec. I brought my entire family to see the production and it was absolutely wonderful. Nic rouleau, ben platt, and syesha mercado photo from.
The book of mormon ottawa author matt stone and trey parker need no introductions to most folks as their popularity soared in the late 1990s with their hit television show, south park. Oak park actor james vincent meredith lands gig in the. The chicago production of the book of mormon finally opens tonight at the node. When the beautiful syesha mercado, as the downtrodden nabulungi, sings of that faraway mormon capital sal tlay ka siti as the place. Congrats to american idol season 7 alum, syesha mercado. But the love of his life is his daughter, meredith says, and she becomes interested. As soon as nic rouleau appeared on stage, i forgot about andrew rannells. The new york times calls it the best musical of this century. American idol star headlines book of mormon theater. Windy city times news archive book of mormon book, music and lyrics by. As much of the shows satire is aimed at the cliches of socalled golden age musicals as at dogooder fantasies of africa, and the laughs still roll easily. Third place american idol finalist, singer, songwriter, actress. Getting religion by the neck in a hilarious book of.
Also cast as the lead female character, mia, in dreams, syesha is proving that when it. The book of mormon broadway in chicago the book of mormon book, music and lyrics trey parker, matt. Mercado, 26, is a big fan of parkers and stones, both of whom she met while performing book of mormon in chicago. Syesha mercado perform baptize me from the book of mormon. Nic rouleau, ben platt, and syesha mercado photo from i saw a lot of theatre last year ive seen a lot of theatre in my life, for that matter and none of it has captured my heart as utterly, thoroughly, and immediately as the chicago cast of the book of mormon, which became the 2nd nationaljumamosi tour. Avoiding bias is tricky, and hype bias is even trickier to sidestep. She released a cover of love on top by beyonce that went viral online. Hire syesha mercado for a corporate event or performance booking. Syesha mercado as hatimibis daughter who texts on a manual.
She is currently making her mark as the lead female character, nabulungi, on broadways the book of mormon. Saving all my love whitney houston syesha cover youtube. Oct 05, 2011 syesha is currently starring as nabulungi in the book of mormon at the bank of america theatre in chicago 20. If the humor of south park tickles your funny bone and you find the offbeat brand of jokes that they use really splits your sides, youre going to love being in. I really want a playbill from the book of mormon west end production because i have a small collection of ones from different places. Alma reminds us that every man should love his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among them mosiah 23. But then i saw the the book of mormon in chicago, on september 14th and october 4th of last year, and i fell in love. Holmes is set to join the second national tour of the book of mormon as elder cunningham. The book of mormon chicago 2020 all you need to know. Broadway smash book of mormon hits the stage at van wezel. Meet chicago s 2012 cast of the book of mormon people who havent seen the show probably know its funny, he said, but their real discovery is going to be the music. Say hello to the book of mormon ticket lottery time out chicago.
Book of mormon chicago america december 23, 2012 nic rouleau, ben platt, syesha mercado, pierce cassedy, james vincent meredith, christopher shyer, david aron damane, etc. The book of mormon at bank of america theatre through oct. The book of mormon, winner of nine tony awards including best musical, just launched its second national tour in chicago at the bank. Let it be known that the people who run lottery for book of mormon chicago or whoever made this decision are incredibly generous people. After the chicago production closed on october 6, 20, the same production. Pantages 2014 engagement of the book of mormon extends. Broadway smash book of mormon hits the stage at van.
In 2012, platt was cast as elder arnold cunningham in the chicago production of the book of mormon. She was a late addition to the cast, replacing stephanie umoh during rehearsals in the role of nabulungi. Before i get flamed i would like to point out three of the more glaring anachronistic errors. A music teacher introduced her to the animated series while she was in. Syesha raquel mercado born january 2, 1987 is an american singer, songwriter, actress, and model. The book of mormon, now five years old, has returned to chicago for second time in two years, still wildly popular, but more of a known entity. Nov 27, 20 american idol finalist syesha mercado is taking over the role of nabulungi in the broadway production of the book of mormon, replacing cast member asmeret ghebremichael, who will depart the show. When traditional methods dont mint new mormons, cunningham takes matters.
From january to june 2014, mercado reprised the role of nabulungi in the broadway production of the book of mormon, making it her broadway debut. Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy south. To be honest, it probably helped that hes so gorgeous, but. The washington post says, it is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals. The production was well received and closed on october 6, 20. When american idol runnerup syesha mercado found out at christmastime she was the secret santa for her fellow book of mormon actor james vincent meredith, she bought him a bottle of his favorite. The book of mormon, with nic rouleau, ben platt and syesha mercado, opens in chicago dec.
American idol finalist syesha mercado joins broadways the. The book of mormon ottawa tickets the book of mormon. I was so in love with the song the music, the deceptively hilarious. The book of mormon chicago 2012 syesha mercado as nabulungi. The second national tour of the tony awardwinning musical the book of mormon, which currently stars nic rouleau, ben platt and syesha mercado, has extended its. The third place finisher has been playing nabulungi in the chicago company of book of mormon. Hire syesha mercado for a corporate event or performance.
See more ideas about book of mormon, mayan ruins and lds art. She landed her first film role in dreams as mia, and made her broadway debut as nabulungi in the book of mormon. To be honest, it probably helped that hes so gorgeous, but i love his voice, and i really like his take on the character. The book of mormon broadway in chicago the book of mormon book, music and lyrics trey parker, matt stone and robert lopez directed by casey nicholaw and trey parker bank of america theatre, 18 w. Members of the touring production of the book of mormon demonstrate.
If someone would be willing to send me one, id trade you for a book of mormon chicago production. As book of mormon ends chicago mission, tears of laughter run to. Syesha mercado dreaming big on broadway and film just. Book of mormon also has a special sarasota connection.
Seat locations and the number of tickets awarded by the drawing are always subject to availability. Launched on broadway in 2011, essentially no topic is off limits in the book of mormon, the musically charged, critically acclaimed religious satire from south park creators trey parker and matt stone and avenue q cocreator robert lopez. American idols syesha mercado heads to broadway mjsbigblog. Nov 27, 20 congrats to american idol season 7 alum, syesha mercado. Mercado was the thirdplace finalist on the seventh season of american idol. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone. Omahas book of mormon brings new twists to hit show. Following the conclusion at bank of america theatre, the chicago company will head west to denverthe home base of the book of mormon and south park cocreators trey parker and matt stonewhere it will set up shop for three weeks oct. The book of mormon, chicagos sitdown production of the hit broadway show that is totally outrageous and equally endearing, will end its run at bank of america theatre on oct.
Mar 23, 2014 but then i saw the the book of mormon in chicago, on september 14th and october 4th of last year, and i fell in love. Meet the chicago cast of the book of mormon chicago. Feb 16, 2012 syesha is currently starring as nabulungi in the book of mormon at the bank of america theatre in chicago 20. The book of mormon tracked chicago july 19, 20 nic rouleau elder price, aj holmes us elder cunningham, syesha mercado nabulungi, pierce cassedy elder mckinley. The book of mormon holds the record for the largest. Feb 28, 20 mercado is currently starring as nabalungi in the popular broadway in chicago production of the book of mormon, which has been extended to sept. View all hotels near the book of mormon on tripadvisor. Dec 27, 2012 the book of mormon creative team members, from left, matt stone book, music, lyrics, trey parker book, music, lyrics, codirector, cast member nic rouleau, and casey nicholaw choreographer, codirector, take a curtain call with cast members following the opening night show at bank of america theatre in chicago on wednesday, december 19, 2012. Syesha is currently starring as nabulungi in the book of mormon at the bank of america theatre in chicago 20.
Dreaming to become a gospel singer one day, mercado signed a contract at. Milwaukeean finds his calling styling wigs for book of. Book of mormon chicagoamerica december 23, 2012 nic rouleau, ben platt, syesha mercado, pierce cassedy, james vincent meredith, christopher shyer, david aron damane, etc. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. American idol finalist syesha mercado is taking over the role of nabulungi in the broadway production of the book of mormon, replacing cast member asmeret ghebremichael, who will depart the show. Alongside their mormon castmates, platt, roleau and mercado will perform an intimate cabaret performance, including jazz, musical theater, and contemporary selections. The book of mormon tracked chicago july 19, 20 nic rouleau elder price, aj holmes us elder cunningham, syesha mercado nabulungi, pierce cassedy elder mckinley ajs debut. First staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. Mercado, who grew up and attended college in florida, was a late addition to the cast of chicago production of the book of mormon, replacing ragtime star stephanie umoh around the time the. The book of mormon is scheduled to play the bank of america theatre, 18 west monroe, chicago, through june 2, 20. The book of mormon, with nic rouleau, ben platt and syesha.
The script, lyrics, and music were written by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone. Now, shell be taking over the role on broadway, beginning in january. Aj holmes sb elder cunningham, syesha mercado nabalungi aj is a hilarious cunningham. The book of mormon creative team members, from left, matt stone book, music, lyrics, trey parker book, music, lyrics, codirector, cast member nic rouleau, and casey nicholaw choreographer, codirector, take a curtain call with cast members following the opening night show at bank of america theatre in chicago on wednesday, december 19, 2012. The member of starkid productions, the popular chicagobased theater. After this piece went to press, producers announced that syesha mercado had replaced umoh as nabulungi. The book of mormon is explicit in naming whom we should love, and even in identifying objects that are not worthy of our love.
A smash hit virtually right from the start, the outrageously funny, awardwinning masterpiece has been a mustsee. Our own hometown idol, syesha mercado, who was the 3rd finalist in season 7 of american idol, played the role of nabulungi making her broadway debut in 2014. Two hours and 30 minutes with an intermission back by popular demand, the book of mormon returns for a sevenweek limited engagement, june 29 august 14, 2016, at the privatebank theatre 18 west monroe. Since 1997, ive watched and loved matt and treys infamous south park. Actor nic rouleau is calling chicago home while playing the lead role of elder price in broadway in chicago s smash hit run of the book of mormon, now playing until sept.
The book of mormon ottawa tickets the book of mormon ottawa. Actor nic rouleau is calling chicago home while playing the lead role of elder price in broadway in chicagos smash hit run of the book of mormon, now playing until sept. Syesha mercado i will always love you american idol 7 hq duration. The book of mormon is set in north america in the first century. And this show, produced by broadway in chicago at the cadillac palace theatre. As book of mormon ends chicago mission, tears of laughter. Syesha mercado has captured chicago s heart with her big voice and endearing performance as nabulungi in the book of mormon. Mercado performed in the chicago transfer production of broadway musical book of mormon. Mercado is currently starring as nabalungi in the popular broadway in chicago production of the book of mormon, which has been extended to sept. Dec 20, 2012 not only does the book of mormon have matt stone and trey parkers trademark themes of the hilarities that evolve from cognitive dissonance, hypocrisy, blasphemy, religious absurdity, etc. Syesha raquel mercado born january 2, 1987 is an american singer, songwriter, actress. Syesha mercado, left, and ben platt in the book of mormon national tour. Meet the chicago cast of the book of mormon chicago tribune. A first look at nic rouleau, syesha mercado and ben platt in chicago book of mormon.
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