Eight times a week, Rob Colletti goes down to the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, warms up his vocals, sits in the dressing room while the hit musical “The Book of Mormon” is performed and then goes home.
Colletti, who grew up in Wheaton and Glen Ellyn, is the standby for the lead role of the nerdy but lovable Elder Cunningham, and his job is to be ready to fill in for actor Ben Platt if he were to suddenly become ill or injured during the performance.
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@ChrisRiceNY: “Dear Lord, please help the line at Shake Shack be short after the show!” #SIP
The Improper: How is life after Mormon treating you?
O’Malley: It’s nice to have weekends again, I’ve been amazed at this phenomenon! I miss the show, I miss my cast who has been my family for almost five years. But it has been nice to be able to travel. I was even able to get to London to see the opening of Mormon there, and see my buddy Gavin Creel.
IM: What are you working on now?
O’Malley: I’ve been mostly traveling. I went to D.C., went to the Supreme Court for the marriage equality oral arguments. I got to go into the rooms and see the justices’ hearings and oral arguments. To be a part of that was big because I’ve been working with Broadway Impact for a long time. I finally got to go home for the first time in two years for more than overnight. I’ve only been home for two nights in two years, so it was wonderful to get to go home for a while.
IM: How does one’s life change after having been a Mormon? Will you now be typecast for the rest of your career?
O’Malley: (Laughs) We’ll see. If that were to happen, hopefully there would be more Mormon parts! I think that what’s changed for me is that I have an even greater appreciation for the Broadway community, and for being a part of it. I’ve just been amazed and in awe of how wonderful everyone is, and how fantastic your dream coming true can actually feel. There was no letdown whatsoever. It actually exceeded all of my expectations of originating a role on Broadway. So many doors have been opened to me, I’ve gotten to meet so many wonderful people. I’m very grateful for the entire experience.
Do you have any dream roles?
I am in one! The first time I heard the cast album I didn’t like it because I was grumpy but luckily I gave it a second chance and fell in love with the show. I knew I needed to be seen for the part!What was the audition process like?
The audition process was long, I was in Leeds for Loserville so had to commute back and forth every week. I never did a full week of rehearsals. I had good vibes but obviously it was very nerve wracking! In terms of other dream roles I haven’t seen One Man, Two Guvnors yet but James Cordon has played Francis Henshall so I would love to play that role… actually I just want James Cordon’s career, is that ok? Well his or Sheridan Smith’s… well ok, maybe a bit of both… actually that’s kinda weird.
