The Book Of Mormon at Academy of Music

Debuting in 2011, The Book of Mormon has undoubtedly been one of the most successful Broadway musicals since its opening. Conceptualized by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, the musical was inspired by the Latter-day Saints (LDS) founder and prophet Joseph Smith complete with his Book of Mormon. The show was intended to premiere off Broadway at the NYC Theatre workshop after its 2008 staged reading, though this turned out to be just a prelude as its actual launch in 2011 moved to a more prominent location at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre.

After a year, the play was already approved for a U.S. national tour that lasted four years, including a season in Salt Lake City, Utah! The show also carried on to be staged in several locations, with a Chicago production produced in 2012, a West End production in 2013, and Australian and European productions both performed in 2017.

The unconventionality and nonconformity of this musical were key factors to this success. It tells the story of Elder Kevin Price and Elder Arnold Cunningham, two LDS missionaries who prepare to spread their religion in a remote village in Uganda. It is there that they contend with the indifference of the locals, as well as their different methods in spreading their religion, given that Cunningham deceives the villagers by injecting fictional parts from science fiction and fantasy stories into his sermons, while Price is determined to teach the villagers in the usual, orthodox manner. The way the musical is shared with the audience is performed in quite an unorthodox manner as well, usually mocking religion in its script and also injecting comedy in both of its acts, including its upbeat showtunes.

For its current production, the Book of Mormon will be in Philadelphia in October at the central theatre venue of Academy Of Music, which holds an magnificent stage, sound system and acoustics, and top facilities that is fit for this box office hit. Tickets for the musical on Sunday 6th October 2024 are available for purchase by clicking the link above.