‘The Book of Mormon’ stars are on a mission to entertain

Hello! Broadway’s breakout original hit from the creators of South Park is knocking on Perth’s door on a Tony-award winning comedy mission.

The Book Of Mormon opens this week at Perth’s Crown Theatre and fans have been waiting 8 long years for the international favourite to head to Western Australia. We caught up with two of the stars for a quick chat about what the west coast can expect from the show.

Australian actor Blake Bowden and Canada’s Nyk Bielak have been working on the show for three and six years respectively and they’re excited to bring the comedy musical to a new audience.

“I did the show on Broadway and around North America, and now I’ve been here in Australia for the last two years and we’re finally here in Perth!” Nyk tells OUTinPerth.

Speaking on their auditions, Blake says he feels really fortunate to be part of the phenomenon.

“The show auditioned in Australia at the beginning of 2017, and in the middle I actually got flown to New York to audition for the show in New York on Broadway and that’s where I very first met Nyk,” Blake says.

“It’s been an amazing experience.”

Nyk chuckles as he tries to recall the moment from six years ago.

“My audition was a little bit of a longer process, and I kind of got put into Cunningham camp… but I actually got told by [creator] Trey Parker in the room that I got the job which was exciting for me.”

The two, as the title would suggest, play Mormons – who set out in earnest on a mission to bring their faith to the furthest reaches of the Earth.

“Elder Price, who I play, is the perfect upstanding Mormon,” Blake tells us, “He is pretty great at doing everything he does and his mission is to save the world!”

“Elder Cunningham is very eager, almost to a fault – no, to a fault!,” Nyk laughs, “and just a super nerdy, lovable, short, round guy with a heart of gold.”

The show has been showered with critical acclaim since its 2011 debut, and the pair struggle to pinpoint one particular favourite moment of the production.

“I get to be on stage with Nyk!” Blake finally exclaims, “That’s the most fun, that’s the thing I definitely look forward to. I get to be on stage and to play and to find new moments.”

“I’m just constantly trying to break you!” Nyk teases.

Noting that original concepts, particularly in the musical theatre world, are rarities in 2019 – Blake says the new tale is what gives The Book of Mormon its edge.

“One of the reasons I think this is such a phenomenon is because it is so good, but also it’s brand new,” Blake begins.

“Brand new and also timeless at the same time,” Nyk adds, “There’s something so familiar about an odd couple being put together and faced with a bunch of obstacles…”

The ‘obstacles’, in this instance, include the people of a remote village in Uganda, who don’t seem too receptive to the word of Elders Price and Cunningham’s beloved book.

“They’re incredibly naive and ill-equipped to deal with the world,” Nyk says of their characters journey to Africa, “Particularly the part of the world they find themselves in.”

When asked which on-stage role would be at the top of their theatrical bucket list, the duo don’t hesitate in their response.

“This was it!”

“This was pretty up there! Who knows from here?” Blake adds, though Nyk has one more role in mind…

“I always say the best role ever would be to play Nessarose in Wicked,” he laughs.

“…because you’re just in a wheelchair and someone pushes you around the whole time! You just roll on and say ‘see ya later!'”

The Book of Mormon opens Thursday 4th September at Crown Theatre, Perth. For tickets and more information head to bookofmormonmusical.com.au

Words:- Leigh Andrew Hill
Interview:- Graeme Watson


 

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