US Book of Mormon bosses take reins in wake of Rocky scandal

THE US management of The Book of Mormon is taking over the show from Australian producers, as claims arise of bullying and harassment.

THE US management of The Book of Mormon is taking over the running of the show from Australian producers amid claims some cast members are being bullied and harassed.

The hit musical, written by South Park creators Trey ­Parker and Matt Stone, is produced in Australia by the Gordon Frost Organisation, which also produces The Rocky ­Horror Show.

Sources said The Book of Mormon cast were told in an emergency meeting this week that Anne Garefino, executive producer of TV ­series South Park and US producer of The Book of Mormon, would take over management of the show in Australia.

“She has been given all the resources she needs to make everyone happy because it’s a very unhappy cast at the ­moment,” a source said.

“Performers are being made to feel dispensable, unworthy and unappreciated, but there’s a whole other level, too, where there is bullying to force the ­removal of certain cast members — three in particular.”

The Book of Mormon cast at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne. Picture: Jeff Busby

Of particular concern was GFO’s handling of sexual ­misconduct and bullying ­allegations from actors Erika Heynatz, Christie Whelan Browne and Angela Scundi, against fellow Rocky Horror Show actor Craig McLachlan.

McLachlan has strenuously denied the claims, which are alleged to have occurred during the show’s 2014 tour.

An industry source said about The Book of Mormon: “Cast members are also in deep distress that no one has explained the situation on The Rocky Horror Show to them.

“There has been no acknowledgment of what happened there and what the protocols are for anyone feeling harassed in the company.

“It’s a situation of ‘same stuff, different show’. The lessons are not being learned.

“They have not been told what systems are in place if they want to report something, so the cast there is also very unhappy because there is no safety in place,” the source said.

“They want to be assured of what systems are in process.”

The Book of Mormon closes at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne on February 4 before heading to Sydney.

GFO’s media representative did not respond to calls from the Herald Sun yesterday.