Book of Mormon Stars Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells and More Extend Run Through February 2013

The original principal cast of the hit musical The Book of Mormon will continue in the show until February 2013. Tony nominees Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, Rory O’Malley, Tony winner Nikki M. James and Michael Potts have all signed on to play another year on Broadway. The Tony-winning musical will celebrate its one-year anniversary on February 24 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

“It’s unfortunate for my knees, but I feel like it is unfair to let my costars continue having all the fun without me," Gad said in a statement. "I could not be more thrilled to continue to play Elder Cunningham." Rannells also joked, “The producers said they would release the location of where they are holding my family if I resigned. I love my family and want to see them returned safely. So here I am.”

Although they signed on for another year, Mormon’s leading men Gad and Rannells also have TV and film deals in the works. As previously reported, Gad, in addition to his vocal work on the MTV series Good Vibe, will appear in the upcoming sex-addict comedy Thanks for Sharing and is penning the new NBC comedy 1600 Penn. Rannells recently signed on to star as a gay dad in a TV pilot for NBC from Glee creator Ryan Murphy.

Featuring a score and book by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez and co-directed by Parker and Casey Nicholaw, The Book of Mormon follows two young Mormon missionaries sent to Uganada, who soon discover their training did not quite prepare them for the world outside of Salt Lake City. The show earned nine 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The Book of Mormon stars Gad as Elder Cunningham, Rannells as Elder Price, James as Nabulungi, O’Malley as Elder McKinley and Potts as Mafala Hatimbi in addition to Lewis Cleale, Brian Tyree Henry, Scott Barnhardt, Justin Bohon, Graham Bowen, Darlesia Cearcy, Kevin Duda, Jared Gertner, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Tyson Jennette, Clark Johnsen, Valisia LeKae, Douglas Lyons, John Eric Parker, Nic Rouleau, Benjamin Schrader, Michael James Scott, Brian Sears, Jason Michael Snow, Nick Spangler, Lawrence Stallings, Rema Webb, Maia Nkenge Wilson and Tommar Wilson.