One of the top-selling musicals from Broadway is making its way to Portland, Oregon. Dubbed “the best musical of the century,” according to the New York Times, The Book of Mormon is taking over Keller Auditorium! Grab this unbelievable opportunity to see the longest-running Broadway show and experience one of the most incredible stories of all time. The multi-award-winning musical comedy has captured the hearts of many Broadway fans all over the world, and now it is traveling to Oregon and showing for a limited time.
“These numbers are witty, ridiculous, impeccably executed and genuinely stirring.”
– Ben Brantly from The New York Times.
The Book of Mormon has sold over 500 million dollars worth of tickets, making it one of the most successful musicals to come out of Broadway. Written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, it has surpassed 42nd Street as the longest-running Broadway musical of all time. The Book of Mormon first opened in 2011 after creators spent seven years developing the story, script, music, and choreography. Garnering many positive reviews from critics, the show has set a record for ticket sales from its original venue, the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. Critics raved about the musical’s direction, choreography, and the actors’ performance.
“Parker and Stone have created one of the freshest original musicals in recent memory. It has a tuneful song, clever lyrics, winning characters, explosive laughs, and disarmingly intimate moments – David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter.
The musical won nine Tony Awards in 2011, including Best Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Original Score. The music itself also won several awards from the Drama Desk Award, including Outstanding Music, Outstanding Music, and Outstanding Lyrics. Lastly, the 54th Grammy Awards awarded the musical for the Best Music Theatre Album in 2012.
The Book of Mormon tells a story of missionary-to-be Elder Kevin Price, who was sent to Uganda with fellow missionary aspirant Elder Arnold Cunningham. The two Elders’ personalities couldn’t be more incompatible as Price believes he is destined to find his purpose, while Cunningham just goes with the flow. Upon their arrival in Uganda, the pair was robbed by a warlord’s soldiers. The two later seek refuge in a village where other missionaries are staying. The Elders who arrived before Price and Cunningham have failed to convert the villagers, but Price is determined to succeed. What follows is a series of hilarious and unfortunate events that may or may not lead to the local villager’s conversion.
“It’s a show where you catch yourself laughing one minute, mouth agape the next, eventually wiping away tears, and, finally, cheering.” – Joe Dziemianowicz from the New York Daily News.
The Book of Mormon is definitely a must-see musical. The show is upbeat, original, and has plenty of relentless comedy. Writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone, famous for creating the cartoon series, South Park, have impressed critics with their ruthless humor. One critic wrote, “Stone and Parker are famous for their take-no-prisoners, nothing-is-sacred approach to humor.” Another critic added that the musical has everybody exuding wonderful zest into their performances, suggesting that all the participants love doing. The same critic lauded the writers in the same review. “Let’s pray that Parker and Stone are dreaming up yet another original musical to brighten up dear old Broadway.”
“The Book of Mormon” expresses a giddy contempt for that innocence, in one of the most joyously acidic bundles Broadway has unwrapped in years.” – Peter Marks from the Washington Post.
“A spectacular, rather perfect Broadway musical not only grounded in a serious love and understanding of the traditions that make a Broadway music great, but also filled with love for the very flawed, mortal characters who populate this romp.” – Lisa Schwarzbaym from Entertainment Weekly.