Ben Platt and Nic Rouleau work side by side in Book of Mormon eight times a week as the mismatched Elders travel to Uganda on their two- year mission. Now settled into their lengthy 11-month run in Chicago, both Rouleau and Platt are able to enjoy the ride. Breaking box office records for the Bank of America Theatre twice last December, the show grossed a record high $1,645,201 for one week of performances.
Ben Platt and Nic Rouleau interviewed by Grant Myatt at DePauliaOnline.com – Here is the Interview:
“There’s really nothing like performing this show for an audience, it’s such a rush and it really never gets old” said Rouleau. “I’ve been doing the show for over a year and a half now and I never dread going on stage…it’s always fun and feels like the first time.”
“The day before I was supposed to move I got cast (in Pitch Perfect), so I had to sit with my parents that day for a few hours and talk it through and decide,” said Platt. “It was a pretty easy decision I couldn’t really pass up, and Columbia was very understanding about deferral.”
“About a month before rehearsals were starting, my agent called saying that the creative team from Book of Mormon has heard about you through ‘Pitch Perfect’ and think you might be a good match for Elder Cunningham and they want to see what your take on it is,” said Platt. After going in a couple of times for the part he received the offer, ultimately choosing to put school on hold for “Book of Mormon.”
“I do love school and would consider myself a pretty academic person, but I just thought I’ll never regret taking advantage of these opportunities while they’re here,” said Platt.
“I always wanted to start my own company and start fresh,” said Rouleau. “I never got to sit down with the cast and build the show up from scratch…so it was really great to do a full rehearsal process.”
As a young performer, Platt has received insight on the industry from his father Marc, a Broadway and film producer.
“We are very careful about keeping our careers separate,” said Platt. “I certainly have been lucky to witness what it’s like from a business standpoint…I understand that it’s a commercial venture just as much as it’s an artistic venture.”
Transferring from the Broadway Company that is sold out for months in advance, Rouleau said he was a little nervous about how the Chicago audiences would respond to the “off-beat material.” Rest assured, Chicago audiences have pulled through.
“The show actually runs a little longer than it did in New York, and it’s us having to hold for their laughter and applause…it’s crazy,” Rouleau said.
Amongst the four different productions of “Mormon” in the U.S. and London, Rouleau said the Chicago Company is the youngest.
Read the complete interview {Via DePauliaOnline.com}
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