The Hunt for the Perfect Price
Finding the right Elder Price, the confident, clean-cut, and self-assured missionary, was a monumental task for creators Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez. The role required a performer with a powerhouse voice, sharp comedic timing, and the ability
to project an almost blinding sense of optimism. Before Andrew Rannells made the role iconic—earning a Tony nomination in the process—the production cycled through a surprising list of contenders. In a revelation that delighted fans years later, Josh Gad shared that film and TV star James Marsden was actually offered the role first. Broadway veterans like Cheyenne Jackson and Benjamin Walker were also in the mix during the show's extensive workshop phase. The final three in contention came down to a fascinating trio: T.R. Knight, fresh off his success on Grey's Anatomy; 98 Degrees frontman Nick Lachey; and Rannells himself. Gad even remarked that Lachey’s audition was “phenomenal,” giving fans a glimpse of a pop-star-led production that almost was. Ultimately, Rannells' unique blend of earnestness and subtle satire won him the part, defining the character for years to come.
The Cunningham Conundrum
If Elder Price was a challenge, casting the chaotic, insecure, and compulsively dishonest Elder Cunningham was its own special puzzle. The role demanded a performer who could be both outrageously funny and deeply sympathetic. Unlike the search for Elder Price, Josh Gad was involved with the project from its earliest workshops, helping to shape the character from the ground up. His unique comedic energy became so intertwined with the part that it was hard to imagine anyone else. However, that didn't stop the creators from briefly considering some wild celebrity stunt casting. At one point, there was talk of comedy superstar Jack Black taking on the role. While Gad was the constant, the what-if of Black bringing his signature rock-and-roll chaos to the part is a tantalizing piece of Broadway lore. Gad’s performance, which also earned him a Tony nomination, became the gold standard for every Elder Cunningham who followed, from Jared Gertner to Ben Platt.
Workshop Wizards Who Weren't
Long before a musical hits Broadway, it goes through years of workshops—staged readings and developmental labs where the creators test material, refine songs, and experiment with actors. These workshops are a crucial part of the creative process and often feature performers who don't make it to the final opening night cast. For The Book of Mormon, several actors who were instrumental in its early stages didn't end up on the Eugene O'Neill Theatre stage in 2011. Besides the various actors considered for the leads, a host of other performers cycled through the developmental process. For instance, actor Daniel Reichard was one of the many who tried out for Elder Price during this phase. These workshops, directed by Jason Moore before Casey Nicholaw officially took the helm, were where the show found its voice. While names from this period are not always public, it's a reminder that a show's final cast is the result of years of trial, error, and discovery.
The Serendipity of a Perfect Pairing
Casting is often described as alchemy, and nowhere is that more apparent than with the original pairing of Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad. Their on-stage chemistry was immediate and electric, forming the heart of the show. Rannells’ polished, almost desperate perfection was the ideal foil for Gad’s heartfelt, bumbling chaos. This dynamic became the central pillar upon which the entire production rested. Andrew Rannells has said he would relive the opening night of the show if he could, a day he recalls as exciting but overwhelmingly fast. Their performances not only launched both actors into new levels of stardom but also set an incredibly high bar for all future replacements. The success of The Book of Mormon is a testament to the vision of its creators, but it’s also a story of casting serendipity, where finding the exact right people at the exact right time created a phenomenon that continues to delight audiences worldwide.
