Get ready Pitch Perfect fans, the nerdy, yet widely-admired Ben Platt, known for his congenial role as Benji in Pitch Perfect, is hitting the Broadway Stage this winter. Platt is scheduled to make his Broadway debut in the nine-time Tony Award winning musical, including winner of Best Musical in 2011, The Book of Mormon.
Platt will be stepping in to play the role of Elder Cunningham following the departure of the musical’s current star, Cody Jamison Strand. According to Broadway.com, Platt isn’t the only well-known star to join the cast. Former American idol conestant, Syesha Mercado, and Broadway veteran, Nic Rouleau are also set to join the star-studded cast.
Consistent with the announcement by Broadway.com “Nic Rouleau, Ben Platt & Syesha Mercado will join 'The Book of Mormon' on January 7.”
Syesha Mercado rose to fame in season 7 of American Idol. Coming in third place, she went on to tour with the top 10 contestants of the popular singing competition. Following her success with Idol, Mercado was then cast as the role of Deena Jones in the widely familiar musical tour of Dreamgirls. Taking over the role of Nabulungi, This will be Mercado’s Broadway debut.
Nic Rouleau is no newcomer to the Broadway stage as he prepares to make his return to the notorious Broadway musical. As a standby for the actor originating the role of Elder Price, Andrew Rannells, Rouleau went on to supersede the witty role after Rannell’s departure. He will resume to his role onstage once more as Elder Price.
Platt has received rave reviews of his role as Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon tour ensuing his acapella magic in Pitch Perfect. According to Broadwayworld.com, Platt shared his excitement through a recent Twitter post, "Platt wrote: ‘Bursting with excitement to finally announce that I will be joining the Broadway company of @BookofMormon this January!! #DreamComeTrue #NYC’”.
With the book and lyrics Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and Robert Lopez, the musical encompasses the adventures and trials of two Mormon missionaries who travel to Uganda in order to further establish their religion. Along the way, they meet many interesting characters while making notable realizations regarding their own lives.
Photo Courtesy of Twitter
