show that you’re not going to like, so just know that going into it.’ And for my grandmother especially, I was right, she did not like them. But at the same time, she was able to really enjoy the rest of the show and genuinely had a good time.” A grandmother’s love… Strand has been with the show longer and has had
a broader experience, “I have to say honestly that there really has been nothing but positive responses to the show. It’s been really cool to see people em- brace this play.” He laughed as he went on to say, “The show has been around long enough and at this point most know it’s written by the writers [Trey Parker and Matt Stone] of South Park, so they know the type of humor they’re getting themselves into.” If there were any moments that pricked his “I’m
david larsen
ferent, “My first big show wasGood Vibrations, which was the Beach Boys musical back in the day—the short-lived production that it was,” he laughs. “It was so amazingly fun and about three quarters of the cast were making their Broadway debut. If you look up that cast, so many have gone on to do amazing things.” From there, Larson went toBilly Elliot andAmerican
Idiot then Hands on a Hardbody (originating the role here in San Diego at the La Jolla Playhouse). When asked to describe the show, they were a little
hedgy, but for good reasons according to Strand, “I actually would say that the show is a traditional musical, it follows closely that kind of format. Though I always say, the less you know about it, the more fun you are going to have and I really believe that is true!” Larson added his perspective, “It is kind of difficult
to describe the show, this kid wants to go to a certain place and does not get his wish. My character [Elder Price] is hoping to go to Orlando to witness, but ends up in Uganda instead and the hilarity ensues. He’s thrown in the exact opposite place and he struggles to deal with that. It’s really what makes the show funny in the end.” That about covers it, though the plot twists and turns in very unexpected ways. If there was any negative reaction to the show, Lar-
son’s observation on that was, “I feel like at this point it’s been nothing but positive. Though I just joined in January and the first two cities that I performed in were San Francisco and Los Angeles, so the audience has been made up of incredibly progressive people.” He shared a personal story that was enlightening, “I did have my grandparents come see the show and I basically told them, ‘Look, there are two songs in this
38 RAGE monthly | | MAY 2014 MAY 2014
not sure about this one” conscience bone, Larson talked about why and how he came through it; “Some people have a problem with the “Hasa Diga Eebowai” lyrics, hearing the words in that song, espe- cially when taken out of context, has the potential to be very offensive. Taken within the concept of what’s happening in the play at the time, understanding the song is a given. Of course they would be saying that—the characters don’t know God and they’re lives are crap—so it’s completely fitting.” He went on to explain, “It’s a part of what I love
about the show, it walks this wonderfully fine line between being offensive and making a strong state- ment. It’s a wonderful balance that Parker and Stone walk, much like the one they walk with South Park. Even though it maybe crass and sometimes potty humor, it is genius andthe most crafted potty humor that you will ever find anywhere.” Strand echoed his admiration for the writers, “The show is interesting because you have these moments that throw the audiences a huge u-turn, but Parker, Stone and Lopez did it in such a way, with so much heart, that people can’t help but stay in the moment and love it. Oh man, they are just the smartest people, it’s been really cool to see and hear them work.” Everyone has favorites, but I wondered what
they would say when asked what theirs were, Stone giggled when he shared: “I would say my character the Elder Cunningham definitely, I relate to him a lot. He is such a misunderstood little goofball and that’s kind of who I have been my whole life. He’s loud and obnoxious and sort of screaming all of the time… It’s funny; my mom told me stories about how I would run around screaming all the time as a child—to the point that I would actually knock myself out!” After he (and I) stopped laughing he continued, “So I iden- tify with Cunningham quite a bit. He went on to talk about his favorite song “Baptize Me” filled with sticky double entendres. “I love it because you have to
perform it with such a celebration of their innocence. And that’s really where all the humor is.” Larson opined about his favorites, “My favorite number that I love to watch is ‘Turn It Off.’ I get to do a little part of it; but I love to be up there with the guys and seeing them do their thing, it’s really such a great number. ‘Spooky Mormon Hell Dream’ is another one as well,” he laughs, “I love that number.” About working with Strand he added, “Cody and I get along like gangbusters in the show and half of the fun is just looking into his eyes and thinking ‘alright, what’s going to happen next!’ People ask about getting bored doing eight shows a week, but really every day is different. It is repetitive in part, but the fact that he [Strand] and I have this unique bond and are willing to completely let go and play with it has been really, really fun.” Sounds like a whole lot of Mormon love goin’ on…
The Book of Mormon is at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa fromTuesday, May 13 through Sunday, May 25. For tickets and information call 714.556.2787 or go
toscfta.org.
San Diego is the nextBook of Mormon stop, playing at the Civic Theatre Downtown from Tuesday, May 27 through Sunday, June 8. For tickets and information call 619. 570.1100 or go to
broadwaysd.com.
Cody Jamison Strand
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