BOOK OF MORMON STAR WAS BORN TO THEATRE
Louisville-raised actress cruised into role on stage
The Tony Award-winning musical comedy from the creators of South Park is returning to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The Book of Mormon proved to be popular with Vancouver audiences in 2016 at the same venue, and there’s no reason to think that the irreverent show won’t once again play to packed houses. We talked to Louisville, Ky., native Kayla Pecchioni, who plays the Ugandan village sweetheart Nabulungi, about South Park, Mormons, and her dream role.
Q You’re from a family of lawyers, surgeons, professors, and therapists. Where did the acting bug come from?
A My grandmother. She started one of the first theatre companies in Louisville. When I was a baby my mom went off to college and I was raised by my grandparents. I spent a lot of time at the theatre with my grandmother. Since then I’ve been the artsy kid, ’cause that’s how I grew up.
Q Do you have any memories of shows that had an impact on you as a child?
A Honestly, I don’t have that much. I remember show posters
around my grandparents’ house. I don’t remember being part of the theatre community. A few years later, after my grandmother passed, my mom couldn’t get me into sports so she finally put me in dance and from there I kind of blossomed. I guess it was something that lay dormant until I had that experience. Q When you first got the part Nabulungi, were you a South Park fan? Was your sense of humour in line with the show?
A My humour was so there. I grew up watching all kinds of TV shows that I probably should not have been watching as a child. My parents are huge South Park fans. So when I got the show it (the material) was no surprise. It was a little weird getting some of the words out of my mouth, though. I had no trouble hearing those things, but when I had to say some things, I was kind of taken aback.
Q The culture’s moved so fast since The Book of Mormon debuted in 2011. Has it become any more controversial?
A I don’t think it has. It’s kind of a timeless piece. The more that we get to travel with it, the more comfortable our audiences get, and the more topical the material becomes.
Q Your background includes working on cruise ships. How did that prepare you for this?
A Oh, beyond. It was so helpful because I was living this nomadic life. And also devoting all of my time to the work. On cruise ships, you’re living on the ship, you can’t get away from the people you work with or the job you’re doing because you’re always “on” around passengers. With The Book of Mormon, it’s kind of the same way, we’re always in this place of working and putting our best foot forward and getting the jobdone.
Q What is your dream role or production?
A Before this show, this show. Now I’m open to anything that comes to me. But my biggest target is a show that just closed on Broadway, Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812. That’s one of my favourite shows. The ensemble really worked well together. There was no distinction between principal and ensemble. It was a group-heavy piece and a great experience for the audience. It makes people happy when they walk out. I love being a part of a show that can fulfil the audience and fulfil the cast at the same time.