Rory O'Malley to Leave BOOK OF MORMON, 1/27

Rory O'Malley has announced on his Facebook page today that he will be exiting the Tony-award winning musical, BOOK OF MORMON. According to the post, his last performance will be on Sunday, January 27th.

"Two years ago today, January 10, 2011, was the first day of rehearsal for The Book of Mormon on Broadway," he begins. "Along with the previous three we spent developing the show, they have been the most wonderful and rewarding years of my career. As a kid I dreamt of nothing more than originating a role on Broadway, but getting to do that with Elder McKinley has fulfilled that dream tenfold. Now it's time to pass the torch, or I guess... sparkly pink vest! My last show will be January 27th. I'll miss it terribly, but I know the BOM family has grown so big that I'll never be far from it! Thank you to all my family, friends, the greatest cast and crew ever assembled, and to BOM's amazing fans. You are all truly... something incredible. NEVER TURN IT OFF!"

The actor received both Tony and Drama Desk nominations for the role of openly closeted Mormon Elder McKinley. His other Broadway credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway and regional credits include Newsical, and the role of Richie Cunningham in Garry Marshall's Happy Days The Musical. He appeared in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls and has had guest roles on TV's Nurse Jackie, Law & Order- SVU.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. The production is choreographed by Casey Nicholaw 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, Best Music (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Lyrics (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Director (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, BestScore (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Actor in a Musical (Josh Gad) and Best Director (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker) and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.