Charity Arianna

Broadway In Chicago welcomes rising star Charity Arianna to the Windy City as she takes on the role of Nabulungi in the smash-hit musical The Book of Mormon, playing at the CIBC Theatre from October 14-19, 2025. Known for its outrageous humor, sharp wit, and surprising heart, The Book of Mormon has become one of Broadway's biggest sensations, winning nine Tony Awards®, a Grammy, and delighting audiences around the world.

A singer, songwriter, and actress based in New York, Charity has previously starred in The Drowsy Chaperone (Trix) and Pride and Prejudice (Elizabeth Bennet). A proud graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, she's trained for roles in Mean Girls (Regina George) and Rent (Joanne), all while staying true to her mission: to spread love through performance and inspire young Black women to take up space, stand tall, and know they are never alone.

We caught up with Charity to talk about her role in The Book of Mormon, life on tour, and the power of performing with purpose.

GoPride: What does it feel like bringing the Book of Mormon to this iconic theater city, especially with its enthusiastic audiences?

Charity Arianna (Nabulingi, Book of Mormon): I'm so excited to be in Chicago. I've never been before. One of the great joys of being able to be on a tour is getting to visit amazing theaters and seeing the different types of audiences we get to bring this amazing musical to.

GoPride: Let's talk a little bit about the Book of Mormon. You are playing Nabulingi, such a beloved and hopeful character in the show. What has your journey been like stepping into her shoes?

Charity: It has been definitely a whirlwind. This character is so nuanced; it's very interesting to find the good parts of her and the naive parts. I think that she's a dreamer and she is ambitious, and I think that's such a joy to be able to play on stage.

GoPride: The show is known for its outrageous humor, but also about its heart. How do you balance the comedy and the sincerity in your performances?

Ensemble cast interacts on stage with colorful costumes; credit: Julieta Cervantes

Charity: I think the very special part about this character is that everything she does feels sincere and is so truthful. And so, although there is that comedic side to it, I think the most important part is playing the sincerity. Because from her point of view, it's all real. And I think if that resolutes with comedy, I think it's even greater.

GoPride: You've previously said that your ultimate goal is "to spread love through performing." How does that message come through in this specific role and in your work overall?

Charity: It's very important to be able to see black girls on stage; and so that's one of the main things that got me into theater. So it's honestly very full circle to be able to play someone who has the characteristics of someone I would have liked to see when I was growing up. She's a dreamer, she's ambitious, she is creative, and I think it's very important to be able to spread that message in this musical.

GoPride: That representation matters deeply. The show has been called one of the most successful and daring musicals of all time. What do you think makes audiences keep coming back year after year, city after city?

Elders Price and Cunningham, react with surprise and delight; credit: Julieta Cervantes

Charity: I think this musical is a great one just because you can escape the hardships of the outside world and come and step into this world full of humor and of joy and of laughter and love. And I think it's something we all need at any point in our lives. It's very nice to be able to come to the theater; to be able to live in a different timeline for a little bit.

GoPride: Do you have a favorite moment in the show? One that always gives you chills or laughter or pure joy?

Charity: The end of act one is one of my favorite things to do every single night. It's so exciting and it's full of energy. So it's one of my favorite numbers.

GoPride: When you're not performing, how do you recharge creatively? Are there any personal projects, songs, or artistic passions you're currently exploring?

Charity: I really like to write some of my own music. I think it's a really great outlet for me. I also love reading, which is similar to doing theater in the way of being able to escape and and learn about something new. I think that really fuels my creativity outside of the show.

GoPride: As a songwriter, how do you find ways to bring your own musicality into a role that's already so well defined after all these years.

Charity: I honestly think a lot of it comes from within. I've always loved music itself; and I like how you can be quieter in one part and that becomes more sincere to me. And so I think I really try to play with the dynamics of the voice and of the music. 

I used to be a swing for the Book of Mormon so I got to see different types of Nabulingi; and I think it's such a beautiful thing to be able to see. To be able to take from different people's perspectives and put it into my own performance; it kind of makes everyone's a little bit different.

GoPride: Touring can both be thrilling and exhausting. So what's one thing you do to keep your energy, voice, and spirit strong while you're on the road?

Charity: I love hanging out with the cast, so outside of work is so much fun. We do movie nights in the hotels, which are really fun. That really helps with being on the road.

GoPride: Looking back at your journey so far from training to touring, what's one piece of advice you'd give the young artists, especially young women of color, who dream of performing on stage?

Charity: Be so patient with yourself is something that I really have learned. Because I feel like even as a young performer, you have so much energy and so much talent that you want to share with everyone but you honestly have to be very patient with yourself. And give yourself the time that you need to be able to grow into a role. Every night, I feel like I've learned something new about my character. From the beginning of training to now, I've just developed so much in the role, and I just think patience is a big key of that.

GoPride: Chicago has a very strong LGBTQ+ community that loves theater and celebrates inclusivity. Values that align beautifully with your message of love and self-empowerment. What message would you like to share with queer fans coming to see the show?

Sam McLellan as Elder Price stands with missionaries; credit: Julieta Cervantes

Charity: I honestly think this show is so campy and it's honestly a joy to be able to perform it every night. And as a person who is also part of the queer community, I just think again, representation is so important. So even with just me being in this show, I hope to share with everyone that "you can be a black queer performer and play in a comedy musical and go on a national tour and share it with everyone." I just think the message of theater is love; and so it's such a joy to be able to spread that.

GoPride: For fans that are coming to see the Book of Mormon in Chicago, what can they expect from the production and what do you hope they take away when the curtain falls?

Charity: I hope when the curtain falls that you feel so much love and joy for the characters and the people on stage. Ee all work really hard every single night to bring a new energy to the crowd and to really invite them into this world with us. So I really want everyone to be fully engulfed in this world that we created. It's honestly magic, and I hope that when they are walking out of the theater, it feels magical for them.

Tickets

The Book of Mormon plays Broadway In Chicago's CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe St.) for a limited one-week engagement, October 14–19, 2025. Tickets range from $64 to $151 with premium options available. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit BroadwayInChicago.com.

Follow Charity Arianna on Instagram at @charityarianna