American Idol's Syesha Mercado Is BOOK OF MORMON's Next 'Nabulungi'

The strong bond between the FOX singing competition American Idol and the Broadway stage continues as 'AI' finalist Syesha Mercado announced today on Twitter that she will be taking over the role of Nabulungi in the Tony Award-winning musical The Book of Mormon. The singer will take over for Asmeret Ghebremichael, who will be leaving the show in January.

"It's official! I'm excited to announce that I will make my Broadway debut with the @BookofMormon company this January," tweeted Mercado "Thank you all for your support. #DreamsDoComeTrue"

The American Idol season seven second runner up is no stranger to Matt Stone and Trey Parker's musical romp. She has been starring in the Chicago production of the show since 2012. Once on This Island and Dreamgirls are among her other theater credits.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics 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. The musical is choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python's Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker.

THE BOOK OF MORMON is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker,Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Book (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Direction (Casey Nicholaw,Trey Parker), Best Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album; four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and sound design by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. Music direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus.

Source: @Syesha