Best Of: 'Book of Mormon' turns 15 / Actor Clarke Peters

June 13, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

When Andrew Rannells first heard the demo for The Book of Mormon, he got to a song called “Hasa Diga Eebowai” and called his agent. “I don't think I can do this show,” he said. “Why?” his agent asked. “Because I don't want to get killed.” The song is a parody of The Lion King’s “Hakuna Matata,” sung by a Ugandan general who explains the phrase means “fuck you, God.” Fifteen years later, the musical is still running on Broadway, and Rannells and his co-star Josh Gad—who played the original Elder Price and Elder Cunningham—returned to Fresh Air to reflect on the show’s anniversary, the mechanics of its satire, and what it took to sing those high notes eight times a week.

The Shock of Satire That Endures

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What you'll learn

1 (00:24) **Introduction: 'Book of Mormon' 15th Anniversary & Clarke Peters Preview** - Terry Gross introduces the episode's two segments: the 15th anniversary of *The Book of Mormon* and an interview with actor Clarke Peters.
2 (02:24) **'Book of Mormon' Segment: Opening Song & First Reactions** - Gross welcomes original cast members Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells.
3 (05:46) **Researching the Role & Voice Changes After 15 Years** - The actors discuss their preparation and the physical realities of reprising their roles.
4 (09:40) **First Impressions of the Script & The Shock of "Hasa Diga Eebowai"** - The actors recall their initial, very different reactions to the provocative material.
5 (14:40) **"I Believe" and Performing Through Adversity** - The conversation moves to the show's big anthem and the challenges of performing eight shows a week.
6 (21:19) **"Man Up" and the Musical's Enduring Appeal** - Josh Gad discusses his character's big number and the show's musical influences.
7 (27:12) **Transition to Clarke Peters: From 'The Wire' to 'The Burrows'** - Terry Gross introduces the second segment on actor Clarke Peters.

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Show Notes

Fifteen years after ‘The Book of Mormon’ made its Broadway debut, original cast members Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad once again took the stage as Mormon missionaries — this time at the 2026 Tony Awards. The musical is a satirical — sometimes affectionate, sometimes offensive — look at Mormonism and youthful naïveté. Rannells and Gad spoke with Terry Gross about their first impressions of the show, how their voices have changed, and how the songs in 'The Book of Mormon' are a tribute to musical theater.

Also, Clarke Peters played Det. Lester Freamon in ‘The Wire’ and now plays a retiree in the supernatural thriller ‘The Boroughs.’ He spoke to Terry Gross about both series, and about his continued work as an actor. “I picked this profession so that I would have longevity, so that I could still be acting at 100, if it comes to it,” he says.

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