The Last Original Cast Member: John Eric Parker's 15-Year Journey with The Book of Mormon
As The Book of Mormon marks its 15th anniversary on Broadway in 2026, one actor stands alone as a living testament to the production's enduring legacy. John Eric Parker, who was onstage when the musical premiered in 2011 to rapturous reviews and cheers, remains the only original cast member still performing in the show—a rarity in professional musical theater where performers typically move on within a year.
A Rare Feat in Broadway History
"I'm still here. I feel still very much viable. I still feel like I'm having a good time and I'm doing good work," Parker says. "The first indication for me to go is to not have any joy. And this still brings me huge amounts of joy." His longevity is exceptional, defying the transient nature of Broadway careers. With credits including All Shook Up and Rent, Parker has become a steady presence, offering guidance to newcomers but never imposing his wisdom. "I don't push myself or what I know on other actors because I feel like they have to be afforded the opportunity to find it for themselves," he explains.
Producer Anne Garefino cherishes Parker's consistency, describing him as "a rock, but without being pushy about it." She adds, "I'm honored that he has stayed this long because he's talented, he's got a gorgeous voice. There are other shows, but he found his place and I am glad it was with us."
Lightning Strikes Twice: A Serendipitous Path
The Book of Mormon entered Parker's life during a period of personal hardship. His sister passed away unexpectedly while his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, leaving him emotionally vulnerable. "This thick skin was pretty thin for me at that moment," he recalls. Juggling offers for the new musical Memphis and what would become The Book of Mormon, Parker participated in workshops for both. Memphis launched first in 2009, with Parker in the cast that won the Tony Award for best new musical the following year. Months later, The Book of Mormon—written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone of South Park, and Robert Lopez of Avenue Q—debuted, and Parker joined the ensemble, winning another best new musical Tony in 2011. "It was like lightning striking twice in a row, which is like, 'When does that ever happen? How does that ever happen?'" he marvels.
The musical, about two Mormon missionaries in Uganda, quickly became a cultural juggernaut, often feeling like a rock concert. Parker sensed its impact early on, noting star-studded audiences that included Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tom Hanks. "It was like, 'Oh, this is different,'" he says. "All right, kids, buckle up, 'cause here we go.'"
Evolution and Personal Growth
Over the years, cast members have come and gone, but Parker has remained, taking brief breaks for his mother's passing and his wedding. He pursued other projects, such as a role in Tales of the City, and enjoyed vacations, yet always returned to his dressing room at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, which he affectionately calls "my Midtown office." This stability has allowed him to give back, serving on the boards of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Inspirational Voices. "The notion of being tethered to something allows me—this is just my personality—to bungee jump even more," he reflects. "It allows me to really stretch myself in ways that I may not have been able to do if my hustle brain was still on full time."
The show itself has evolved with the times, shifting from a musical about faith to a celebration of theater post-pandemic, with audience reactions changing amid movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. "Art continues to surprise me. Because just when you think it's mundane or sort of like pat and routine, something happens in the world," Parker observes. "It is still a living, breathing organism."
Initially hesitant to embrace the term "last man standing," Parker changed his mind after a family reunion where his uncle, the last survivor of seven siblings, proudly declared it. "This 78-year-old, 6-foot-4 man drives up in a convertible BMW and jumps out of the car in his Birmingham, Alabama, drawl and says, 'Well, well, the last man standing is here!' He's standing like Superman and I thought to myself, 'All right, stop shying away from it.'" Now, as The Book of Mormon celebrates 15 years, Parker stands as a symbol of resilience and joy in the ever-changing world of Broadway.
