He grew up as a missionary. Now he's playing one in 'Book of Mormon," coming to Providence
The missionary work highlighted in the Broadway hit “The Book of Mormon” wasn’t new to Sam McLellan, whose family spent much of his childhood as missionaries in Mexico. But, until junior high, he hadn’t known that people could earn a living singing.
“A speaker came to my school. I was in the choir, but I thought, ‘Do people still do this?’ Then I thought, ‘I think I’m good at this!’ It was like I had lived under a rock,” says McLellan, one of the leads in the touring production of “The Book of Mormon," which opens at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Oct. 31.
The show, which centers on Mormon missionaries sent to convert the residents of a Ugandan village, was one of the first he saw live. After his singing epiphany, he talked about pursuing a career in the theater. His older sister decided he needed to see a show to understand what it’s all about and took him when he visited her in Chicago.
“I realized, ‘Man, I've got do this show!’ It was the coolest, most full-circle moment,” he says.
McLellan plays Kevin, the ideal missionary, partnered with socially awkward Arnold. Together, the odd couple witness the villagers’ resilience in the face of poverty and a dominating warlord. In the process, their mission morphs into something more unique.
“The show spoke to me a lot and asks questions that don’t really have answers – ‘Why are we here?’ and ‘Are we doing the right thing?’” McLellan says. “The fact I saw it was such a popular piece and the media addressed all the questions made me realize I could bring so much to it.”
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In the process, the actor, who has appeared in “Anastasia” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” managed to craft a “deeply personal” character based on his family’s experience. While not Mormon, he says the difference was simply in the doctrine being shared. The task of sharing beliefs was the same.
“What I see in ‘The Book of Mormon’ is that it doesn’t matter what you believe – you can find commonality if you try hard enough,” he says. “This is a show about love, unity, togetherness. On paper, the message seems to be divisive, but it’s more about unity.”
Comedy helps the audience follow the story, which McLellan admits can seem antagonistic at times. His family members who have seen the show have exuded pride, something that propels him.
“I have a deep love of the musical theater style of storytelling,” he says, speaking of life after “The Book of Mormon.” “I am not naïve enough to think I’ll have much control over what I do, but what does matter is if it’s a story that feels important to me and the audience.”
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This has been one of those shows, one he calls “life-changing.”
“I get messages from high school students who saw the show for the first time, and it’s incredibly rewarding," he says. "I get to be part of that experience for others.”
If You Go ...
What: "The Book of Mormon"
When: Oct. 31-Nov. 5
Where: Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence
Tickets: $29-$144
Info: ppacri.org, (401) 421-2787
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Book of Mormon' tour comes to Providence on Oct. 31
