Syesha Mercado Joins THE BOOK OF MORMON as 'Nabulungi' in Chicago

According to the Chicago Tribune, American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado has joined the cast of The Book of Mormon in Chicago and will be playing the featured role of 'Nabulungi'. Stephanie Umoh previously played the role. No details have been released on why she left.

Read the original report here.

Mercado appeared this summer in Paper Mill Playhouse's production of Once On This Island and took part in 2009's US touring revival production of Dreamgirls. Mercado was the third place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol.

THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, launches its Second National Tour in Chicago and began previews last night, December 11 at the Bank of America Theatre (18 West Monroe).

THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series, "South Park." Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, Avenue Q. The musical is choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python's Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) 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, the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album; four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and sound design by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. Music direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording for THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.