When Philadelphia native Shafiq Hicks takes the stage at Wilmington’s The Playhouse on Rodney Square the overwhelming cheers may overcome the expected laughs.

Hicks, a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, plays the General in “The Book of Mormon.” The Broadway travelling show will be in Wilmington March 27-29. Tickets are available at http://broadwayinwilmington.org/.

“I hope to see a lot of people,” Hicks said. “I truly kind of just put the message out there and see who shows up. I always say here’s the website, here are some dates, let me know when you want to come. I would love to see you.”

“The Book of Mormon” is one of the funniest shows to hit the stage. It features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the brains behind the animated TV comedy “South Park.”

The musical follows two young Mormon missionaries who are sent to a remote village in Uganda. Expecting to convert people easily, they instead encounter villagers dealing with poverty, violence and a warlord, making the religious message seem irrelevant. The musical explores faith, doubt and storytelling, ultimately suggesting that belief systems can be meaningful not because they are literally true but because they give people hope and a sense of community.

The show has been on the road for about seven months and, by now, Hicks knows it inside and out.

“It’s funny, I had never seen it (before getting the part),” Hicks said. “When I started the auditioning process, I knew it was written by the same people at “South Park,” which I grew up watching.

“I probably should not have been watching in my very Christian households, but I caught a few episodes every now and again. It’s a specific type of humor. During rehearsals, I saw it for the first time and I was like, ‘Hmm, interesting concept. OK, I’m here for it. Let’s go for the ride.’”

The travel is not new to Hicks. He was part of the 25th anniversary tour of “Rent.”

“I think I’ve built up the stamina for it,” Hicks said. “It’s still a job at the end of the day. I think a lot of people are like, ‘Oh, well you’re in the theater, so obviously it’s a fantasy land reality and you’re on tour, so you are certainly seeing all these places.’ I do appreciate the adventure of it, but I also appreciate I am working in my field.”

Hicks is a sought-after vocalist, actor and teacher. He has collaborated with Estelle, Andrea Bocelli, Aretha Franklin and Sam Smith on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

“I do virtual lessons while on tour,” Hicks said. “I’ve been able to sustain and keep up even while on tour.

“I did this over COVID as well. I’m kind of used to the whole setup and the delays and all the things that come with the technical aspect of doing it virtually.”

Hicks is looking forward to the tour getting back to the East Coast.

“I live in New York, so I’m definitely excited to come back.” Hicks said. “I have definitely been enjoying this (tour). I must say, though, it’s obviously very homey and very familial about the East Coast that I do miss.”