Book of Mormon is a popular Broadway musical that has garnered a lot of attention and awards since its debut in 2011. With music, lyrics, and a book by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, Book of Mormon tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries sent to a remote village in northern Uganda. With rave reviews, enthusiastic audiences, and 11 Tony Awards, Book of Mormon has become one of the hottest tickets on Broadway. But is it worth seeing? Here are some key considerations when deciding if Book of Mormon is worth your time and money.
What is the plot and story of Book of Mormon?
Book of Mormon follows two missionary companions, the straight-laced Elder Price and the awkward Elder Cunningham, as they embark on their two-year mission trip to spread the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Price wants an easy, successful mission in Orlando but instead gets assigned to Uganda. When they arrive in the remote village, they find the local villagers dealing with famine, poverty, warlords, and AIDS. Struggling to connect with the locals, Cunningham starts making up stories from the Book of Mormon to interest them, eventually getting the villagers to embrace his stories. The show highlights the naivety and optimism of the two young Mormons as they come face to face with the harsh realities of the world.
What is the tone and style of the musical?
As a satirical musical from the creators of South Park, Book of Mormon has an irreverent, humorous, and profane tone. The show uses vulgar language and pokes fun at various groups, including Mormons, Africans, religious organizations, and more. The style combines original Broadway-style songs with some pop culture references and tongue-in-cheek jokes. Despite the crass humor, the story ultimately has some heartfelt moments. But potential audience members should know the show contains very explicit language and content.
How is the music in Book of Mormon?
The music and lyrics in Book of Mormon were written by Robert Lopez and Trey Parker, known for their work on Avenue Q, Frozen, and South Park. The score has upbeat, lively Broadway-style showtunes mixed with some satirical rap and ballads. Well-known numbers from the show include the opening number “Hello,” the infectious “Hasa Diga Eebowai,” and the moving ballad “I Believe.” Ranging from humorous to thought-provoking, the music covers everything from doorbells to existential crises. Overall, the music has proven extremely popular, winning the Tony for Best Original Score.
How are the performances and production elements?
Being a successful Broadway show, Book of Mormon features stellar performances and high-quality production values. The cast is comprised of talented musical theater actors bringing energetic singing and dancing talent to the outrageous material. Intentionally gaudy costumes and sets evoke the cheesy aesthetics of actual Mormon missionary propaganda. Technically, the show offers impressive lighting, sound, and visual effects including a prominent doorbell prop. Reviews consistently praise the cast’s comedic abilities and vocal skills along with the top-notch production spectacle expected of a major Broadway show.
What are critics and audiences saying about the show?
Book of Mormon has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from professional critics and theatergoers alike. It currently holds a Metacritic score of 74 based on 33 critical reviews, categorized as “generally favorable.” Audiences have awarded it a 9.0 user score. Here is a sampling of commentary on the musical:
Critic Quotes:
- “Tip your hat to THE BOOK OF MORMON, the little Broadway musical that could. No one but no one could have predicted it would be the sensation it is.” – Lee Zeltserman, The Huffington Post
- “BOOK OF MORMON is that rare thing: an old-fashioned, pleasure-giving musical” – Ben Brantley, The New York Times
- “THE BOOK OF MORMON is the best musical of this century.” – Barbara Hoffman, New York Post
Audience Quotes:
- “Funniest show I have ever seen! Two thumps up way, way up!” – Tripadvisor member
- “Amazing!! Must see for anyone who needs a good laugh.” – Tripadvisor member
- “The music was incredible and hilarious all at once.” – Tripadvisor member
What awards has the show won?
Book of Mormon has won an impressive number of awards, including:
- 9 Tony Awards in 2011, including Best Musical
- New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical
- Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album
It also received nominations for multiple other industry awards. The extensive list of accolades speaks to the critical and commercial success the show has seen on Broadway.
How long has it been running and where?
Book of Mormon first opened on Broadway in March 2011 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, where it is still running as of October 2023. It has maintained its Broadway home for over 12 years, embarking on its 2700+ performance. The long, stable run indicates consistently high ticket demand.
In addition to Broadway, Book of Mormon has had productions globally in cities like London and Melbourne. There have also been several touring productions bringing the show to major venues across North America.
How hard is it to get tickets?
As an extremely popular show, Book of Mormon consistently plays to packed houses on Broadway, on tour, and internationally. It has above average ticket prices plus high demand, which makes securing tickets more difficult and expensive. Yet it remains possible to get tickets by booking early and being flexible on date/seat selection. Tour tickets are typically easier and cheaper to obtain than Broadway. But expect to pay premium prices for the best seats at peak times, usually $200 or more.
Main Analysis
Based on its outstanding reception among critics and theater fans, showering of awards, and ability to sustain high ticket sales for over a decade, **the clear consensus is that Book of Mormon is absolutely worth seeing for both Broadway fans and regular theatergoers.** The clever story, hilarious yet insightful humor, lively music and dances, and vivacious energy enthral audiences for an uproariously entertaining evening. It stands out as one of the most original, buzz-worthy musicals in recent Broadway history.
However, there are some key factors to keep in mind when deciding if the show suits your personal tastes:
- The extreme profanity and vulgar jokes throughout means it is inappropriate for more conservative, religious, or family audiences.
- The satirical content mocking Mormons, Africans, and other groups could offend some viewers.
- Ticket scarcity and prices make it a more difficult, expensive Broadway outing.
Yet for audiences not bothered by graphic language and seeking a bitingly funny, musically impressive show, Book of Mormon offers an exceptional experience worthy of its accolades. The spectacular performances, songs, and production make it a must-see for many Broadway fans. And the popularity and limited engagement mean tickets should be purchased as soon as possible.
Here is a comparison table of key pros and cons to help evaluate if Book of Mormon is worth seeing for you personally:
Pros and Cons of Seeing Book of Mormon
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Hilarious, clever satire and humor | Offensive, vulgar language and jokes for some |
| Fantastic musical numbers and songs | Difficult to get tickets at a reasonable price |
| Rave reviews from critics and fans | Higher cost than average Broadway show |
| Stellar cast, dancing, and production | Satire of religious groups may bother some |
| Massive popularity and buzz | Less appropriate for conservative/family crowds |
| Won all major Best Musical awards | |
| Long, successful 12+ year Broadway run |
How does it compare to other Broadway musical comedies?
Book of Mormon stands out for its unique storyline and style among Broadway musical comedies of the past decade. Here is how it compares to some other recent popular Broadway musical comedies:
| Musical | Tone | Story | Music | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Mormon | Profane satire | Mormon missionaries in Uganda | Upbeat showtunes and ballads | 12 years |
| The Prom | Heartwarming | LGBT teenager wants to bring girlfriend to prom | Broadway showtunes | 2 years |
| Mean Girls | Clever humor | Teen girl navigates cliques in new school | Pop score | 4 years |
| Something Rotten! | Zany spoof | Musical that creates musicals | Broadway pastiche | 2 years |
Book of Mormon stands out among recent musicals for its boundary-pushing satirical style. While the other shows contain humor and fun stories, Book of Mormon utilizes provocative, profane humor to a greater extent in its unique tale of mismatched Mormon missionaries. It also boasts one of the longest and most commercially successful Broadway runs.
Conclusion
For audiences seeking uproarious entertainment and satire unafraid to go beyond normal boundaries, Book of Mormon is a must-see Tony-winning sensation living up to the hype. The hilarity and heart behind the vulgarity make it soar. For more religious or conservative crowds, the extreme language and questionable jokes are downsides to consider. Regardless, the musical talent and creative vision on display are undeniable. As one of the buzziest, most acclaimed Broadway shows of the 21st century thus far, Book of Mormon offers a uniquely hilarious experience unlike anything else for those eager to get their hands on the scarce tickets.