It’s been over a decade. Still, if you close your eyes and listen to those first few dings of the doorbell in "Hello!", you can practically feel the energy that vibrated through the Eugene O’Neill Theatre back in 2011. The The Book of Mormon original Broadway cast wasn't just a group of talented actors. They were a chaotic, perfect alignment of comedic timing and vocal power that somehow made a show about dysentery and door-to-door proselytizing the hottest ticket in New York.
People forget how risky this felt. You had the South Park guys, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, teaming up with Robert Lopez from Avenue Q. It could have been a disaster. Instead, it became a juggernaut.
The Duo That Defined a Decade: Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells
Let’s be real. The chemistry between Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad was the engine under the hood.
Andrew Rannells played Elder Price with this terrifying, plastic-perfect optimism. He looked like he was carved out of ivory and teeth. His performance of "I Believe" is basically the gold standard for Broadway tenors now, but at the time, it was a revelation. He captured that specific, desperate need for validation that defines the character.
Then there was Josh Gad.
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else as Elder Cunningham. He brought this sweaty, manic, pop-culture-obsessed energy that made the character lovable instead of just annoying. He was improvisational in spirit, even when sticking to the script. When he started "Making Things Up Again," you weren't just watching a performance; you were watching a comedic supernova.
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The Tony-Winning Heart: Nikki M. James
While the boys were busy being loud, Nikki M. James was the emotional anchor.
She played Nabulungi. Most people remember her winning the Tony for Best Featured Actress, and for good reason. Her rendition of "Sal Tlay Ka Siti" took a song that could have been a mean-spirited joke about a mispronounced city and turned it into a genuine, heart-wrenching anthem of hope.
She provided the "human" in this human-quality satire. Without her, the show might have felt too cynical. She made you care about the villagers' side of the story, which is a tough act when you're surrounded by jokes about Star Wars and frogs.
The Supporting Players Who Stole the Show
You can't talk about the The Book of Mormon original Broadway cast without mentioning Rory O'Malley.
As Elder McKinley, he led "Turn It Off," arguably the best tap-dancing number about repressed emotions ever written. His ability to flip between a forced "Mormon smile" and deep, existential dread was a masterclass in physical comedy.
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And then there was Michael Potts as Mafala Hatimbi. He had the unenviable task of introducing the audience to "Hasa Diga Eebowai." He did it with such deadpan warmth that the audience didn't even realize how offensive the lyrics were until they were halfway through the chorus.
- Brian Tyree Henry: Yeah, that Brian Tyree Henry. Before Atlanta and the MCU, he was the General (full name omitted for polite company). He was terrifying and hilarious.
- Lewis Cleale: He played about five different roles, including Joseph Smith and Price’s Dad. He was a utility player who stayed with the show for over 14 years. Talk about stamina.
Why This Specific Cast Mattered So Much
Broadcasting a satire is a tightrope walk. If you lean too hard into the mockery, you lose the heart. If you lean too hard into the heart, the jokes don't land.
This original group understood the "Parker and Stone" language. They knew that to make the satire work, you had to play it completely straight. They weren't "in" on the joke. They were the characters. That sincerity is why the original cast recording hit #3 on the Billboard 200—the highest for a cast album since Hair in 1969.
They weren't just singing songs; they were selling a world.
The Legacy Left Behind
Most of the OGs have moved on to massive things. Josh Gad became a Disney icon (Olaf, anyone?). Andrew Rannells is a staple on screen and stage. But the blueprint they created at the Eugene O'Neill remains.
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Every Elder Price who has put on the short-sleeved white shirt since 2011 is, in some way, chasing the ghost of Rannells' high notes. Every Cunningham is trying to find that "Gad-esque" balance of weird and sweet.
In 2020, the show actually underwent some script revisions. This was after members of the original and current Black cast members raised concerns about how the Ugandan characters were portrayed. It’s a reminder that even "perfect" shows evolve. The show today centers the villagers more than the 2011 version did, giving them more agency. It’s a fascinating look at how Broadway grows with its audience.
What you should do next:
If you haven't heard the original cast recording in a while, go back and listen to "Man Up" or "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream." Pay attention to the vocal layers. You’ll notice small character beats—a gasp from Gad, a sharp intake of breath from Rannells—that remind you why this specific group was a once-in-a-lifetime assembly of talent. If you're heading to NYC, check the current call board at the O'Neill; while most OGs are gone, the DNA of their performances still keeps that theater packed every single night.