Q&A with Actor Craig Franke of 'The Book of Mormon' Playing at RiverCenter October 7
- TheColumbusite
- Oct 5
- 4 min read
Written by Carrie Beth Wallace
Images via The Book of Mormon
When the curtain rises at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on October 7, audiences in Columbus, Georgia will be treated to more than just a night of laughter—they’ll experience a performance that’s part of Broadway history. This week, The Book of Mormon brings its celebrated national tour to town, and with it comes actor Craig Franke, whose magnetic presence and comedic timing in the role of Edler McKinley have made him a standout in this beloved production.
In our conversation, Craig shares what it’s like to take one of Broadway’s most acclaimed—and outrageous—shows on the road, how the show maintains consistency more than a decade after its debut, and why performing for new audiences in cities like Columbus still feels electric every single night.
Whether you’re a longtime theater fan or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes of a national tour, Franke's insights offer a front-row glimpse into the humor, heart, and humanity that make The Book of Mormon a must-see.
Read on for our exclusive interview with Franke, and get tickets to see the show Tuesday, October 7 at the RiverCenter.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: Well, I’m from New York. I grew up during theatre. I went to college at Indiana University and I've been with the show for three years now. I absolutely love being a part of it.
Q: What do you love most about touring with a show? You have an extensive resume. What makes you keep going back to do this type of work?
A: I really enjoy the fact I get to see the country and, like, do my job at the same time. Not everybody gets to travel and see every little nook and cranny of their country. I feel really fortunate my job has allowed me to do that.
Q: What do you most enjoy about this particular show? The ratings are always positive, and the music is wonderful. But what has made you stay with this tour for three years?
A: I think it's the laughter. Hearing laughter from the audience every night, and hearing how much they're enjoying themselves.
I mean, it's so easy to enjoy yourself when every single night the audience is too. It’s hard to leave such a great gig when it's just such positive reinforcement every single night.
Also, no performance is ever the same. That’s always true, but even more so in a comedy. One of the most interesting parts about taking it around the country is there are so many different reactions depending on what region of the country you're in.
Q: What do you mean?
A: Well, certain areas find certain things funny that other areas don't. It’s very, very fun and interesting. It really does keep us on our toes as performers. It's like, okay, I wonder if this joke is going to work here in Georgia? Because it worked in Wyoming, but it didn't work in Colorado.
Certain jokes worked Texas, but it didn't in Oklahoma. There are such different regional senses of humor, and it's very very fun to get to uncover that with the same joke every night. So enjoying discovering those nuances every night while we’re on tour keeps the show super fresh for us all.
Q: The Book of Mormon is an internationally-acclaimed show. Not everyone gets to be a part of a worldwide brand – it’s a unique experience. What is it like being a part of a worldwide brand? Can you speak a little bit to what your experience with this has been like, and what it’s meant to you?
A: It is very unique, and it's something that I don't think you quite can understand until you're a part of it.
I feel so fortunate. Not everybody gets an opportunity like this. Not everybody gets to say to their family, ‘Oh, I'm doing this show right now’ and have everybody know what you're talking about. There are a really limited number of internationally-known shows in theatre that people know. I mean, CATS, Phantom, Wicked, Hamilton – just a few throughout history that have reached that kind of acclaim. Book of Mormon is definitely a part of that group now. It’s been really affirming to be able to know that you can go to another country across the world and people will know what show you’re talking about. As an actor, it’s great to be a part of something that big.
It's also very cool to be a part of a show where there's still a lot of care from the creative teams. There is a lot of quality control with Book of Mormon because it is a global brand and a global product.
There is just so much global interest from the audience perspective. It’s really important to protect that, and so the creative team is very invested in how things are done. They really care. It’s in the little things, and it’s because they’re very passionate about the product that they are showing to the world. It’s got to be consistent and on point everywhere it’s produced. It makes for an incredible experience for everyone involved.
Q: What would you like for our Columbus audience to know before they see the show this week?
A: Just come ready to laugh. There is definitely a lot of humor in the show that could be viewed as offensive, but I think if you’re able to look past some of the more abrasive jokes, there is a lot of truth and heart in this show. You just have to distill it down and have the patience to let it get there.
Just come ready to laugh and I promise you, at the end, if you're really paying attention, your experience with this show is going to pay off in a very unexpected way. ◼️
If You Go
What: The Book of Mormon
When: October 7. 2025 at 7:30PM
Where: RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
