Fans of The Book of Mormon will have two chances to catch the hit Broadway musical at E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron on September 30 and October 1. As one of the most beloved—and outrageous—musicals of recent years, the national tour is selling out venues around the country, and Akron is ready for a double dose of laughter, unforgettable tunes, and a dash of irreverent humor.
The story, created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (of South Park fame) and Robert Lopez (of Avenue Q and Frozen), lampoons the earnestness of Mormon missionaries who land in a Ugandan village dealing with real-life hardships. Their well-meaning attempts to spread their faith result in a clash of cultures that is equal parts heartfelt and hysterical. The show’s razor-sharp wit and catchy music have cemented it as a modern classic in the musical theater canon, standing alongside the likes of Hamilton and Rent.
This year’s tour features a stellar cast, including Shafiq Hicks as the formidable General. Hicks, an accomplished actor and singer, joined the cast in July and quickly made the role his own. In a recent interview, Hicks revealed that playing the villain is a first for his professional career. “My role is the General. He’s technically the villain of the show… but honestly, I feel like he’s a good guy at heart—he just has the wrong idea about how to go about life.” Hicks adds extra depth to the character, bringing “hilarity to just him taking himself too seriously” and embracing the challenge with excitement. “I get to dip more into that aspect of his character, whereas other people might’ve played him a little more funny,” he says. “It is absolutely hilarious, but I want the audience to see why he believes what he does.”
For Hicks, the tour has been a dream gig. “The cast is just brilliant, wonderful. I’ve done shows where, unfortunately, there’s always a weaker link. You’re not getting that with this show at all. Everyone comes to work and shows up and does the thing. That’s very exciting to me—not only as a performer in this particular show, but as an artist in general.” The cast’s energy fuels the show night after night, but it’s the audience, Hicks says, that makes the experience truly special. “Audiences really, really love the show. It’s one of those cult classics where you get tons and tons of people. My favorite is when they come in the little Mormon shirts and their little name tags with their Book of Mormons—it’s absolutely the cutest thing ever.”
As The Book of Mormon continues to tour across the country, its messages of friendship and community have become even more resonant. “If you’re looking to laugh, please come,” Hicks urges. “But specifically in times that we’re living in today, a story about friendship and communities coming together is something much needed. Even if you’ve seen it 800 times, it still hits the same. The laughs are still there. The moments that you love still are there. So even if it’s just a reminder of how great the show is, you can come for that reason. But if you haven’t seen it, definitely add it to your Broadway fandom.”
Don’t miss your chance to see The Book of Mormon on tour—whether it’s your first time, or you’re coming back for another shot of musical hilarity.
And if you want to follow Shafiq Hicks and his journey beyond Akron, find him on Instagram: @thereal_shafiq
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