August 22nd, 2012 
Warning! The musical New York Times deemed “Heaven on Broadway” will make you come to Jesus, pray for mercy and keel over in laughter. “The Book of Mormon” is a side-splitting, enlightened, dramedy whose musical arrangements have audiences happily participating in a Ugandan sing-a-long one minute, and blushing in the next. I can personally vouch that one number in particular – in all its “Hakuna Matata-esque” glory – quickly fades as its sacrilegious meaning is revealed. A translation so immoral, even I cannot bring myself to type the words. But let’s get real people, would you expect anything less from the creators of “South Park”?
Elder Price (Photo Credit: Joan Marcus, 2012)
This isn’t the first time Trey Parker and Matt Stone have poked fun at the idiosyncrasies of Mormonism – and why not? they have offended and befuddled over half of America and a handful of similar world powers with calculated jabs since their initial invasion of Comedy Central over a decade ago. But it’s this blasphemous hilarity that so many of us, religious or not, can’t seem to avoid or get enough of. And in true Parker/Stone fashion, they turn the jokes on all of us, pushing buttons that petition our human sensibilities. You will fall in love with the self-absorbed Elder Price whose deep desires for baptisms and praise may produce a revelation, while school-yard reject Elder Cunningham tugs at the heart strings with his imaginative spirit and awkward attempts to fit in. I won’t even mention the man that belts out “I have maggots in my scrotum” numerous times. Oops, I mentioned it. You get the idea.
Winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, the show is a miraculous dive into the mysterious world of Mormons seen through inappropriate eyes. Prepare to be virtually steeped in a lighthearted monstrosity of Mormon history and beliefs, depicting the comical challenges missionaries face while influencing a Ugandan culture. A culture that none-the-less is battling serious tragedies such as rape, genital mutilation, guerrilla warfare and disease. Book of Mormon audiences will ride a slippery slope between spiritual reverence and heretical awakening. Expect a fair dose of “spooky Mormon Hell dreams” but don’t get wrapped up in the politics, it is after all in good fun.
Ugandan Villagers and Elder Cunningham (Photo Credit: Joan Marcus, 2012)
WHEN: August 14 through September 3, 2012
WHERE:
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
1101 13th Street
Denver, CO 80204
Performance Times:
Tue-Sun: 7:30 p.m.
Sat-Sun Mat: 2 p.m.
Special Performance Times:
Wed, Aug 29: 2 p.m.
Sun, Sep 2: 1 p.m.
Run time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Show Advisory: Contains explicit language.
TICKETS: Previously SOLD OUT but now available via Ticket Lottery!
24 tickets will be available for all performances through a lottery. Tickets will be $25 each.
Enter the lottery at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House box office – promptly —
two-and-a-half hours before each performance
Provide your name and number of desired tickets (1 or 2) on provided cards
Two hours before each show, lottery winners will be chosen at random from entries
Limit one (1) entry per person and two (2) tickets per winner. All entries will be reviewed prior to the drawing for duplicate entries. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Tickets are subject to availability.
