Jam-packed with satirical humor by South Park writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone, as well as Avenue Q writer Robert Lopez, The Book of Mormon on Broadway is a fast-paced, no-holds-barred production that will make you laugh like hell. Get The Book of Mormon tickets in New York now and see why audiences have joined the Broadway congregation since 2011.
What is the Book of Mormon musical about?
The Book of Mormon is a musical about Elders Price and Cunningham, two Mormon missionaries sent to a remote village in Uganda to convert the locals. (It's a far cry from Orlando, Florida, where Elder Price hoped to be sent.) Poverty, injustice, and an oppressive warlord made the villagers lose faith in God long ago — but the elders are determined to succeed, even if it means bending the teachings of the holy book a little.
The Book of Mormon premiered directly on Broadway, unlike most musicals that play off Broadway or in a different city first. But the outrageous musical comedy immediately took Broadway and the rest of the world by storm when it opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in 2011. The New York Times hailed The Book of Mormon on Broadway as "the best musical of the century." The show went on to collect nine Tony Awards that year, including Best Musical. Original cast members Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad (Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, respectively) became instant Broadway favorites, and Nikki M. James picked up a Tony for starring as Nabulungi.
The musical's score is best known for its the signature introduction number, "Hello," where the Mormons greet the audience. Other fan favorites include the outrageous and infectious lament "Hasa Diga Eebowai," the show-stopping "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream," the smooth "Baptize Me," and the comedy anthem "I Believe."
The The Book of Mormon is known for its raunchy, irreverent humor, which is par for the course for its creators. Trey Parker and Matt Stone are best known for writing the adult animated TV show South Park, and Robert Lopez co-created the adult puppet musical Avenue Q. Lopez is also notable for being the youngest person in history to achieve EGOT status and the only person to win all four requisite awards — an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony — more than once. In fact, he is one Oscar away from a triple EGOT.
The Book of Mormon features choreography and co-direction (alongside Parker) by Casey Nicholaw, known for helming other musical comedies including Something Rotten, The Producers, and The Prom.
How long is The Book of Mormon?
The Book of Mormon runs 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission.
Ascend to musical theatre heaven and get tickets to The Book of Mormon in New York now.
The Book of Mormon contains offensive language and adult themes that may be unsuitable for younger theatregoers.
(Photos by Joan Marcus)
