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Overview
Synopsis
The hit Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, written by “South Park”’s Trey Stone and Matt Smith and Frozen’s Robert Lopez, is an irreverent, hysterical, and surprisingly sweet send-up of religion, culture shock, and classic musical theatre. In The Book of Mormon, two very different young LDS missionaries --the talented, eager Elder Price and the nerdy, pathologically lying Elder Cunningham-- are paired together and sent to Uganda to perform their two-year mission. To the missionaries’ disappointment, the local population seems to be more focused on the poverty, famine, AIDS epidemic, and despotic warlord in their midst than on religion. It’s going to be a fight for salvation. While Elder Price combats his own expectations and doubts, Elder Cunningham battles his inability to remember scripture or tell the truth, fellow missionary Elder McKinley crushes his homosexual urges, and the beautiful Ugandan Nabalungi fights to keep her hopes and dreams alive in the midst of great terror and uncertainty. It will take a little inventiveness, a lot of teamwork, and perhaps an excommunication or two for the Elders to succeed in their mission.
Show Information
- Book
- Robert Lopez , Trey Parker , Matt Stone
- Music
- Robert Lopez , Trey Parker , Matt Stone
- Lyrics
- Robert Lopez , Trey Parker , Matt Stone
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2011
- Genres
- Comedy, Satire
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- utah and uganda, the present
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mature Audiences, Large Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult Characters
Context
In the summer of 2003, successful “South Park” duo Trey Parker and Matt Stone flew to New York City, and on the recommendation of producer Scott Rudin, saw Avenue Q, a raunchy puppet musical that was written and composed by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. The quartet struck up a quick friendship, which soon developed into a collaborative partnership after they realized that they were all interested in creatively exploring the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and its prophet Joseph
to read the context for The Book of Mormon and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
At the Latter Day Saints (LDS) Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, the bright, handsome, and popular young Elder Price is leading his colleagues (including the nerdy, insecure pathological liar Elder Cunningham in a practice run of their door-to-door conversion speech (“Hello”). Elder Price is enthusiastic about his two-year mission -- he has prayed very hard and is sure he’ll be assigned to his favorite place on earth: Orlando, Florida. Much to his dismay, however, Elder
to read the plot for The Book of Mormon and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
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Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
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Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
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|
Featured |
Male |
|
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Ensemble |
Either Gender |
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Ensemble |
Either Gender |
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Songs
Act One
- Hello – Price, Cunningham and Mormon Boys
- Two by Two – Price, Cunningham and Mormon Boys
- You and Me (But Mostly Me) – Price and Cunningham
- Hasa Diga Eebowai – Mafala, Price, Cunningham, Nabulungi and Ugandans
- Turn It Off – McKinley and Missionaries
- I Am Here for You – Cunningham and Price
- All American Prophet – Price, Cunningham, Joseph Smith, Angel Moroni and Company
- Sal Tlay Ka Siti – Nabulungi
- I Am Here for You (Reprise) – Cunningham
- Man Up – Cunningham, Nabulungi, Price and Company
Act Two
- Making Things Up Again – Cunningham, Cunningham’s Dad, Joseph Smith, Mormon, Moroni, Uhura, Hobbits and Ugandans
- Spooky Mormon Hell Dream – Price and Company
- I Believe – Price and Company
- Baptize Me – Cunningham and Nabulungi
- I Am Africa – McKinley, Cunningham and Missionaries
- Orlando – Price
- Joseph Smith American Moses – Nabulungi, Mafala and Ugandans
- Hasa Diga Eebowai (Reprise)† – Nabulungi
- Tomorrow Is a Latter Day – Price, Cunningham, McKinley, Nabulungi and Company
- Hello (Reprise) – Company
- Finale – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a medical condition caused by the HIV virus that weakens the immune system. It has had a profound impact on the performing arts community, particularly in the late 20th century, as many artists and organizations have addressed its social and personal effects through theatre.
A staple of musical theatre where the protagonist expresses a deep personal desire, setting the emotional tone for the narrative.
Short for 'legitimate theatre,' referring to traditional stage drama as opposed to musical or commercial performance. The term is also used to describe a classical vocal tone suitable for operatic or legit musical theatre roles.
The complete text of an opera, musical, or other extended vocal work, including all spoken dialogue and lyrics. The libretto provides the dramatic structure and narrative arc, serving as a guide for both performers and directors to align story and music.
What a character wants to achieve in a scene or play. Defining objectives helps actors clarify intention and emotional stakes.
A force or condition that prevents a character from achieving their objective. Recognizing obstacles helps define conflict and dramatic tension.
An introductory speech or scene that sets up the context or themes of a play. Prologues are commonly used in classical drama to prepare the audience for what follows.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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