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For Taye Martin, his visit to New Orleans this week for the Saenger run of \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d\u00a0will be only the second time he\u2019s ever been in the Crescent City. The first was when he was born here.<\/p>\n
He never got to know the city, because eventually his adoptive parents moved him to their town in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you can imagine, I\u2019m very excited to get to experience this city as an adult,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a part of ‘The Book of Mormon’ while I\u2019m exploring here is particularly special.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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.<\/p>\n
As a versatile artist, Martin is considered a triple threat\u00a0\u2014 he sings, dances and acts\u00a0\u2014 in fact, Martin\u2019s r\u00e9sum\u00e9 includes being a part of the Metropolitan Opera\u2019s \u201cAida.\u201d In regional theater, he\u2019s played in \u201cRent,\u201d \u201cJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,\u201d \u201cJersey Boys,\u201d and \u201cSister Act.\u201d<\/p>\n
But, he\u2019s very proud to be a part of \u201cThe Book of Mormon,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cMy favorite thing about being a part of this musical is getting to work with so many other Black and Brown performers,\u201d Martin noted. \u201cThis is one of the first shows I\u2019ve been a part of where there\u2019s more than just a handful of Black folks. So, it\u2019s rather special getting to look across the stage and see it filled with a beautiful array of skin colors.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Although \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d has been on Broadway for 15 years at the Eugene O\u2019Neill Theater in Manhattan, a fire broke out on May 4<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Whatever is in Taye Martin\u2019s future, whether it\u2019s film or something else that utilizes his talents, he\u2019s looking forward to the summer break. But his plan is to reprise his role in \u201cBook of Mormon\u201d for another year\u2019s tour, starting in the fall, and then figure out what\u2019s next after that.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThey always knew I had what it took to book an amazing experience like this,\u201d Martin recounted. \u201cSo having them on my side has been more than a blessing!\u201d<\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t yet seen the irreverent “Book of Mormon,” and you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n 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 \u201cSouth Park.\u201d Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, \u201cAvenue Q\u201d and is the genius behind \u201cFrozen\u201d \u2014 as in \u201cLet it Go!\u201d<\/p>\n If all that isn\u2019t reason enough, it\u2019s just a lot of fun! \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d runs May 12-17 at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. Tickets are available at neworleans.broadway.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n