Playhouse goers may recognize Jarius Miquel Cliett from his role in the musical Ragtime at the Duluth Playhouse in 2022. Playing the lead, Coalhouse Walker, he was a memorable standout in the show. Now, he returns to Duluth as one of the leading roles in The Book of Mormon (BOM), which opens the 2025–26 “Broadway at the DECC” season at DECC Symphony Hall. Get your tickets at: destinationduluth.co/DECCBookofMormon.
“I have many fond memories of Duluth and of the great people I worked with at the Duluth Playhouse. Playing Coalhouse Walker was a dream role for me. I am looking forward to coming back to your beautiful city to perform in The Book of Mormon,” Cliett said.
A Life in Performance
Cliett was born and raised in Atlanta and started singing at the age of 5, mostly in church. Throughout his childhood and his teens, he loved acting in school and community productions. “I ended up going to the University of Alabama for my undergraduate in vocal performance for my bachelor’s, and then I did my master’s at Georgia State University.” He has had many roles performing in theaters throughout the U.S.
He says he first saw The Book of Mormon in Atlanta in 2018, never imagining he would be touring in the show himself one day.
From Ragtime to The Book of Mormon
In 2022, he booked the tour of BOM and remained with the show for two years. Taking some time off, he then went to NYC for a year. When he saw that they were casting again for The Book of Mormon 2025 tour, he auditioned, and this time ended up getting one of the leading roles, Mafala Hatimbi.
“I modeled my character after my dad, who was in the military and combined a sense of humor and sternness.” He was thrilled to have fifty family members and friends come to opening night in Atlanta for the show, describing the group as a ”village” that helped him get to this point in his career.
“The show is so much fun to do,” he said. “I hope people will leave with the messages of community and acceptance. The show has a lot of heart.”
He added, “The joy of having a great time performing and getting to do the show every night makes the tour special for me.”
A Broadway Sensation
Since opening on March 24, 2011, The Book of Mormon has become one of the most successful shows in Broadway history, breaking the Eugene O’Neill Theatre house record more than 50 times.
In addition to nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical and the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album, The Book of Mormon won five Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical, the NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Best Musical, and four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical.
The Book of Mormon has been performed on three continents and has won over 30 international awards. The musical has smashed long-standing box office records in New York, London, Melbourne, Sydney, and in cities across the U.S. and the world.
Written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Robert Lopez, the show offers a satirical take on modern-day organized religion. While it has been described as “raunchy, over-the-top, hilarious, and controversial,” its thought-provoking script uses humor to convey strong messages about “cultural misunderstanding, American identity, and the longing for a better life.”
Information on The Book of Mormon
DECC Symphony Hall
Tuesday, October 28th – 7:30 pm
Wednesday, October 29th – 7:30 pm
Tickets: destinationduluth.co/DECCBookofMormon
The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.” Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.” It’s THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical. Contains explicit language.
Broadway at the DECC Remaining 2025-26 Season
A Magical Cirque Christmas – December 16, 2025
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical – February 15, 2026
Hadestown – March 16, 2026
The Music Man – April 29, 2026
