Mission accomplished: Local actor performs in Tony-winning musical ‘The Book of Mormon’ at Popejoy

Hailed as “the best musical of this century” by The New York Times, nine-time Tony Award-winning “The Book of Mormon” opens at Popejoy Hall on March 13.

Albuquerque-born actor and dancer Jackson Murrieta will perform as part of the ensemble in his first-ever national tour.

“It’s so awesome to be on a show that actually tours through my hometown,” Murrieta said. “When I first got the job and saw the cities that we were going to, I called my parents. It’s such an awesome homecoming experience, and I’m very excited.”

Murrieta describes his role as a lot of high-energy singing and dancing.

“It definitely is a test of the stamina of the performers all around, and some nights are easier than others. But like anything with singing and dancing, you’re an athlete, and you have to train like that,” Murrieta said. “I still find myself having to be like, OK, let me warm up. Let me make sure I’m taking care of my body properly. ... Otherwise, you’re going to be huffing and puffing through the two-and-a-half-hour show.”

“The Book of Mormon” was conceived and written by “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and EGOT-winning songwriter Robert Lopez. The irreverent satire follows the misadventures of two young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, also known as the Mormons), who are sent to a remote Ugandan village.

When the musical first premiered on Broadway in 2011, the LDS Church issued an official response, stating, “The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the ‘Book of Mormon’ as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.” The LDS Church even took out advertisements in the playbill, which read, “The book is always better,” in hopes of using the public attention as a missionary opportunity.

“I look very Mormon,” Murrieta said. “So, anytime people see me and know I’m an actor, they’re like, ‘Oh, you should be in “The Book of Mormon.”’ ... So now, getting to be part of it and to perform that material every night ... fulfills me so much.”

Murrieta has sung, danced and acted for almost as long as he can remember.

“A bunch of my friends did theater in New Mexico, and it came to a point where they were like, You need to start doing it with us. So, when I was about 7 years old, I auditioned for my first show, which was ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” he said. “I was a munchkin and a flying monkey, and I’ve been doing theater ever since.”

He went to Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, for musical theater, then moved to New York City. Prior to joining “The Book of Mormon,” Murrieta performed in “The Sound of Music,” “Into the Woods” and “Mamma Mia!,” among other credits, and played the lead role of Harold Hill in “The Music Man.” He said he has felt especially blessed to be part of the touring production of “The Book of Mormon,” since he was a longtime fan of the musical.

“Some of the songs are such musical theater staples, so I had grown up hearing the soundtrack, and I had seen the show a few times before,” Murrieta said. “I always thought it was hilarious.”

While he admits that performing every night can sometimes be tiring, Murrieta said he loves touring.

“You’re truly living and working alongside such talented, kind, great people that in doing the work that we do — just being on stage with each other — you grow close with your co-workers,” Murrieta said. “With the tour itself, we’re covering 50-something cities and around 26 states, which is a lot of traveling. We’re on tour for about a year. So, you truly grow close with these people, and I (consider them) my family.”

Being a struggling actor in New York City has not always been easy, Murrieta said, but he feels good about where his career is at and optimistic about his future.

“One thing that’s always stuck with me — and this comes from my dad, specifically ... is to truly find what you’re passionate about in life and follow that,” Murrieta said. “It’s not always going to be easy ... but if you have the passion and the drive, your hard work will be rewarded.”

Logan Royce Beitmen is an arts writer for the Albuquerque Journal. He covers visual art, music, fashion, theater and more. Reach him at lbeitmen@abqjournal.com or on Instagram at @loganroycebeitmen.