There has been speculation recently that the hit Broadway musical The Book of Mormon may be going back on tour in the near future. The Book of Mormon first debuted on Broadway in 2011 and quickly became one of the hottest tickets in town. With book, music, and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, The Book of Mormon satirizes Mormon beliefs and practices in an irreverent but good-natured way.
Background on The Book of Mormon Musical
The Book of Mormon follows two young Mormon missionaries who are sent to a remote village in northern Uganda to preach the gospel. When they arrive, they find that the villagers are more concerned with famine, poverty, and the local warlord than learning about the Mormon religion. The naive elders must decide whether to abandon their mission or find a way to reach the locals in a meaningful way.
Along with the original Broadway production, The Book of Mormon also launched two national tours that have crisscrossed the United States multiple times. The first national tour ran from 2012 to 2014 while the second ran from 2017 to 2020 before being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During its broadway run and tours, The Book of Mormon has played in major cities across America including Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC and more.
Could The Book of Mormon Tour Again?
Given the immense popularity of The Book of Mormon, it is very possible that a new touring production could be launched in the coming years. The Book of Mormon continues to do excellent business on Broadway, consistently one of the top grossing musicals each week. This indicates there is still a substantial audience demand to see the show live.
Additionally, past tours of the show have been extremely successful from a financial standpoint. The two prior tours of The Book of Mormon grossed over $500 million collectively according to Broadway World. The robust ticket sales and attendance figures reveal that audiences around the US still clamor for the chance to see the hilarious musical live, even years after its debut.
Another sign pointing to a possible new tour is the fact that no major cast changes or shakeups are happening with the Broadway production. All of the key original creative team like Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez remain actively involved. This continuity means that a new tour could be launched without much disruption. Plus, the logistical infrastructure for a tour is already in place given the past successful outings.
Where Could The Book of Mormon Tour Visit?
If The Book of Mormon did hit the road again, there are many cities that would likely be on the itinerary. Some prime spots for The Book of Mormon tour could include:
- Seattle
- Portland
- Denver
- Houston
- Philadelphia
- Boston
- Miami
- Atlanta
- Cleveland
- Indianapolis
- Columbus
- Kansas City
- Phoenix
- San Diego
The above cities either did not host the prior tours or haven’t seen the show in the past 5-6 years. Booking the musical in these major metropolitan areas could potentially reach new audiences while also tapping into pent up demand from devoted fans.
When Could a New Tour Happen?
As far as timing, a new tour of The Book of Mormon could feasibly launch in 2023 or 2024. By then, the Broadway production would be over 10 years old, making a new tour a great way to generate buzz and new interest. COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to climb across America, paving the way for a full-scale national tour once again.
Of course, those timelines are speculative and the producers have not yet announced firm plans. But given how long it has been since the last tour wrapped, a 2023 or 2024 launch window seems reasonable. The creators may want to wait a bit longer to ensure that COVID-19 conditions are fully stabilized for live entertainment. However, they also won’t want to wait too long and risk losing momentum.
What Changes Could Be Made?
For a new tour, the producers may wish to inject some fresh elements into the show to entice both new audiences and repeat attendees. Possible changes could include:
- Adding or swapping out some supporting characters
- Reworking some secondary plot points and scenes
- Changing up some of the musical numbers
- Revising bits of dialogue to be more timely and culturally relevant
- New choreography in selected dance numbers
- Minor costume and set design updates
However, it is unlikely they would make significant overhauls. The core story, characters, and tone that fans know and love would remain. This balance of novelty and familiarity could stimulate ticket sales.
What is Still Unknown?
There are still many unknown factors around another potential tour, including:
- The exact cities and venues
- How long the tour would run
- If any cast members from past tours would return
- Which actor would take over the lead role of Elder Price
- The budget and financial backing for a new tour
- If COVID-19 precautions would alter typical touring practices
Additionally, the producers have not provided any official confirmation on their plans, keeping potential next steps for The Book of Mormon tightly under wraps. Fans will have to wait patiently for any formal tour announcement.
Key Takeaways
To summarize the key points:
- A new national tour of hit musical The Book of Mormon seems highly probable given its continued success
- Major cities like Seattle, Denver, Houston, and others could host a new tour years after prior visits
- Launch timeframes in 2023 or 2024 align well for generating renewed hype
- Some creative changes seem in store though original elements will remain
- Many details around casting, routing, and more are still undecided
While nothing is guaranteed, the signs point towards The Book of Mormon gearing up for another touring cycle in the near future. But fans will have to wait for an official announcement from the producers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while not confirmed, there is a strong possibility that a new national tour of The Book of Mormon musical could launch in the coming years. Given its continued popularity both with audiences and critics, as well as its strong financial track record, The Book of Mormon venturing out on the road again seems very feasible. The show undoubtedly has the fanbase to fill theaters across North America for a third touring production. When finalized plans are unveiled, expect considerable excitement and demand for tickets in every city added to the tour schedule. The Book of Mormon musical has cemented its place as a modern Broadway classic, keeping audiences laughing out loud for over a decade. Though some details are still up in the air, more hijinks from Elder Price and his fellow Mormon missionaries could be spreading their gospel nationwide soon.
