For Taye Martin, his visit to New Orleans this week for the Saenger run of “The Book of Mormon” will be only the second time he’s ever been in the Crescent City. The first was when he was born here.
He never got to know the city, because eventually his adoptive parents moved him to their town in Wisconsin.
“As you can imagine, I’m very excited to get to experience this city as an adult,” Martin said.
“Being a part of ‘The Book of Mormon’ while I’m exploring here is particularly special.”
As one of three children, he and his two siblings grew up performing in dance productions and musical theater. He began in the third grade as a dancer, and by the 10th grade, he had switched to musical theater.
His first musical production was playing newspaper reporter Pat Gilbert in “State Fair.” The character is handsome, dashing and ambitious. But, as a reporter, he is frustrated to be covering what he considers to be small-time news like the Iowa State Fair. Until, that is, he meets a girl at the fair and they begin to fall in love.
As a versatile artist, Martin is considered a triple threat — he sings, dances and acts — in fact, Martin’s résumé includes being a part of the Metropolitan Opera’s “Aida.” In regional theater, he’s played in “Rent,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Jersey Boys,” and “Sister Act.”
But, he’s very proud to be a part of “The Book of Mormon,” the musical comedy that follows the story of two Mormon missionaries, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham. When the two boys are sent to Uganda to try and convert the local population to Mormonism, the laughs ensue. The production includes a biracial cast by the very nature of the plot, and for artist Taye Martin, being a cast member in this production has been a very different experience.
“My favorite thing about being a part of this musical is getting to work with so many other Black and Brown performers,” Martin noted. “This is one of the first shows I’ve been a part of where there’s more than just a handful of Black folks. So, it’s rather special getting to look across the stage and see it filled with a beautiful array of skin colors.”
Touring across the country is a taxing experience, both mentally and physically, according to Martin, with the continual arrival in different cities and staying in different hotel rooms every week a part of the bargain for being able to tour in a nationally known production.
Although “The Book of Mormon” has been on Broadway for 15 years at the Eugene O’Neill Theater in Manhattan, a fire broke out on May 4, causing substantial damage and forcing the show to close indefinitely. So, at the moment, the only place to see this musical is when the touring company comes to town.
Whatever is in Taye Martin’s future, whether it’s film or something else that utilizes his talents, he’s looking forward to the summer break. But his plan is to reprise his role in “Book of Mormon” for another year’s tour, starting in the fall, and then figure out what’s next after that.
Martin has a college friend group he has stayed in touch with throughout the years, and they’re all still very close. Their support, along with his parents and past professors, has meant the world to him.
“They always knew I had what it took to book an amazing experience like this,” Martin recounted. “So having them on my side has been more than a blessing!”
If you haven’t yet seen the irreverent “Book of Mormon,” and you’re a theatergoer, it should be on your bucket list. When it first appeared on Broadway, it was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won nine of them, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, Best Direction, Best Featured Actress, Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design, and Best Orchestrations.
The music and lyrics of the show are by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series “South Park.” Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, “Avenue Q” and is the genius behind “Frozen” — as in “Let it Go!”
If all that isn’t reason enough, it’s just a lot of fun! “The Book of Mormon” runs May 12-17 at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. Tickets are available at neworleans.broadway.com.
Contact Leslie Cardé at [email protected].
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
