Interview: 6 Questions & a Plug with BOOK OF MORMON's Jake Emmerling

For the third time in Minneapolis, theater goers have the opportunity to catch a show that was hailed by The New York Times as "the best musical of this century" and is the winner of nine Tony Awards. THE BOOK OF MORMON (BOM) is an outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. The blockbuster Broadway smash from "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and the Oscar-winning composer of Disney's "Frozen" and "Avenue Q," Bobby Lopez is sidesplittingly funny and will have you reeling with laughter but finding yourself feeling a bit guilty as you do it until you realize everyone around you is in the same predicament and loving every moment.

Jake Emmerling, a member of the ensemble who's been with the show since the beginning of the tour, took time to share a little of his expertise of all things BOM in this 6 Questions & a Plug:

How long have you been touring with THE BOOK OF MORMON?

As an original member of the company, I joined in November of 2012. We rehearsed in NYC for 3 1/2 weeks, teched in Chicago for 2 weeks and started previews on Dec. 11. After playing in Chicago for 10 months, we began touring the country. So 3 1/2 years, 54 cities and over 1,300 performances later, I'm still having a blast "spreading the word" across the country!

This is your first national tour -- how did you get the part?

I moved to Chicago in March of 2012 and saw there was an open call for THE BOOK OF MORMON happening at the Actors Equity Association (AEA) offices. I actually almost didn't go because I was terribly sick a couple days before, but pushed myself out of bed and pulled myself together enough to audition for Carrie Gardner at the Equity Principal Auditions (EPA). She asked if I could come back to the Equity Chorus Call (ECC) to dance and roughly six call backs later, I got a voicemail in May from Carrie asking me to call her back. When I did, I avoided any actual conversation with her -- asking about the weather, how the auditions in NYC were going, how her other productions were going, etc. She started laughing because I was being so cordial and nice, but I was so nervous that I was delaying her to offer me a spot in the company!

Could you tell our readers more about what it's like to be part of this production and staying on tour for so long.

It's such an incredible production to be part of. I always get the question "Are you best friends with the cast?" and I always say, "No, we are family," because it's the best way to describe our relationships with one another in the company. Being on the road for this long, your work and personal life are very close to one another and even if we don't hang out with each other all the time, we are always there for one another. I've also had the best time seeing the country and so many incredible cities -- no, I will not list my "favorite" city mainly because I've loved so many of them!

For people who have never seen this show before, tell us a little synopsis of the storyline.

It's the story of two Mormon boys, bright eyed and ready to change the world with the word of God, who get sent to Africa on their mission. When they get there, the reality of the Ugandan world smacks them in the face and hilarity ensues when their expectations are challenged.

What is something that happens on stage that readers can watch for as an insider tip?

Oh gosh, that's a hard one! If you've never seen the show, just sit back and enjoy because it has so much going on. If you've already seen the show -- I'd say look around at the ensemble during our reactions in different numbers ("Spooky Mormon Hell Dream," "Turn It Off," "Hasa Diga Eebowai," etc.) because everyone is always giving the best interactions to the leads or each other to help tell the story.

What's the strangest reaction you've received from the audience when they've gotten one of the show's jokes or "shocking" parts?

The list goes on in this category! Haha. Recently we had someone in the balcony very loudly singing along with us at the end of the show -- unfortunately they thought they knew the lyrics and in the quick silence before our last line, screamed out the wrong lyric. It was pretty funny. Other ones would be individual reactions and laughter that ring out on their own during jokes and/or punchlines. One time we had a man in the front row with a VERY infectious, genuine laugh who was obviously seeing the show for the first time. One of the first jokes in "Two By Two" had him laughing so hard, he was literally falling out of his chair all the while howling non-stop. All of us were doing everything to try and not break through that.

Time for the plug: What will you plan to do once you end your touring career with BOM?

Take an epic vacation for a couple of weeks! After that, I'll probably move to NYC or back to Chicago once the tour is done. I don't want to commit to anything just yet -- I don't plan on leaving anytime soon -- but if I want to keep pushing my acting career forward, those are the two cities I can see myself in while I do it.

Jake Emmerling Bio:

Jake is ecstatic to make his National Tour debut with BOM! Native of Derry, PA; BFA Music Theater Shenandoah Conservatory. Regional: South Pacific (Cable), West Side Story (Snowboy), Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio). He wouldn't be here without the love and support of his amazing friends, family, and educators. Thanks to BOM Creative Team. http://www.jakeemmerling.com/

More information:

THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, returns to Minneapolis for a limited run May 10-29 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's historic Orpheum Theatre (910 Hennepin Ave.) as part of the Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin Season. The production in Minneapolis is pleased to announce a pre-show ticket lottery, making a limited number of tickets available for $25 each, cash only, at the Orpheum Theater Box Office.

Ticket lottery entries will be accepted at the Orpheum lobby beginning two and a half hours before each performance. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a provided card. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $25 each. Only one entry is allowed per person and up to two tickets can be purchased per winner. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Tickets are subject to availability.

Single tickets for THE BOOK OF MORMON are on sale now and may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org and by phone at (800) 982-2787.

For more information, visit www.BookofMormonTheMusical.com.

Follow THE BOOK OF MORMON on Twitter and on Facebook.

Photo: Jake Emmerling and cast of THE BOOK OF MORMON, via jakeemmerling.com.

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