Get ready for an entertaining and humorous spectacle this spring because The Book of Mormon makes its phenomenal return to Chicago! From March 28 to April 16, 2023, The Book of Mormon will be performing 24 shows at the Cadillac Palace Theatre! This satirical musical is a nine-time Tony Award-winning show that tells the adventures of missionaries tasked to convert an indigenous Ugandan tribe to Christianity. The Book of Mormon has been regarded as the funniest musical of all time by critics and has captivated audiences all over the world. This 2023, the touring production makes a stop in Chicago to once again entertain the city’s Broadway enthusiasts! Whether you’ve seen The Book of Mormon or not, you should put the musical’s much-anticipated return on your bucket list! Hurry and grab your tickets now to experience this hilarious and witty musical that charmed viewers all over the country ten years ago!
“These numbers are witty, ridiculous, impeccably executed and genuinely stirring.” – The New York Times.
“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 – The Hollywood Reporter.
“The Book of Mormon” expresses a giddy contempt for that innocence, in one of the most joyously acidic bundles Broadway has unwrapped in years.” – The Washington Post.
The Book of Mormon is a musical that tells the story of two missionaries, Kevin Price and Arnold Cunningham, from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kevin and Arnold’s mission was to convert people to Christianity, and they knocked on people’s homes in hopes of finding someone who would listen to the “good news.” Missionary-to-be Kevin is on the verge of getting his first official assignment. He thinks that if he prays hard enough, he will be assigned to Orlando, Florida. To his disappointment, he, along with Elder Arnold, was assigned to Uganda. Kevin and Arnold travel to Uganda, where they are robbed and held at gunpoint by a war general. Upon their arrival in the village, which is also governed by the same general, the missionaries discover the appalling conditions that villagers are forced to live in. The two elders were led to their living quarters, where they met their fellow missionaries who had been unable to convert anyone. Kevin is determined that he will succeed where others fail. But before he can convert anyone, he must help the villagers overcome several challenges, including the forced mutilation of women and the general’s cruelty and tyranny. Will Kevin succeed in his mission? Or will he give up? Find out when you come and see The Book of Mormon at the Cadillac Palace Theatre!
The Book of Mormon was a joint effort by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone. These three co-creators developed the musical’s storyline, music, and lyrics, which took seven years to plan and conceptualize. In March 2011, The Book of Mormon finally opened on Broadway. The production was led by co-directors Casey Nicholaw and Parker, while Nicholaw produced the choreography. The musical brought in Tony Award-winning set designer Scott Pask, while the distinguished Ann Roth worked on costume designs. The creative team’s work has become the musical’s foundation for what would be an incredible expansion across the U.S. and in London.
In 2012, The Book of Mormon went on tour across the U.S., followed by the much-awaited opening at London’s West End in 2013. In the same year, another U.S. tour was held due to popular demand. In 2019, The Book of Mormon reopened in London. In the U.S., the musical was recorded to be the 14th longest-running Broadway show. As of 2019, the show grossed over $500 dollars, making it one of the most successful Broadway musicals of all time.
The Book of Mormon enjoyed commercial success upon its opening on Broadway. In 2011, the musical won numerous awards and accolades. At the 65th Tony Awards, the musical was the big winner of the night, taking home nine awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Original Score. Meanwhile, The Book of Mormon also brought home several wins from the Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Music and Lyrics, and Outstanding Director of a Musical. Moreover, the musical’s score won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2012.
The Book of Mormon received wide critical acclaim from professional music critics. Ben Brantley from The New York Times complimented the musical’s songs, “ These numbers are witty, ridiculous, impeccably executed and genuinely stirring.” Meanwhile, the Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney raved about the innovative storyline and how it set itself apart from other musicals. “Parker and Stone have created one of the freshest original musicals in recent memory. It has a tuneful song, great lyrics, winning characters, explosive laughs, and disarmingly intimate moments.”
“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.” – Entertainment Weekly.
“It’s a show where you catch yourself laughing one minute, mouth agape the next, eventually wiping away tears, and, finally, cheering.” – New York Daily News.
The cleverly written musical has also sent viewers on an emotional roller coaster. “It’s a show where you catch yourself laughing one minute, mouth agape the next, eventually wiping away tears, and finally, cheering,” said Joe Dziemianowicz from the New York Daily News. Lastly, Liza Schwarzbaym from Entertainment Weekly has nothing but positive things to say, “A spectacular, rather perfect Broadway musical, not only grounded in a serious love and understanding of the traditions that make Broadway music great but also filled with love for the very flawed, mortal characters who populate this romp.”
This 2023, The Book of Mormon continues its North American tour, consisting of more than 40 stops in the U.S. and Canada. The show, led by director Jennifer Werner, will open at the Cadillac Palace Theatre on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The venue will host a total of 24 shows, with two performances during weekends. The tour’s performances will be based on the original direction by Trey Parker and Casey Nicholaw and choreography by Nicholaw. Audiences can expect the same set design by three-time Tony award-winner Scott Pask and lighting design by five-time Tony Award winner Brian McDevitt.
The touring production will also feature a stellar cast composed of Sam McLellan as Kevin Price, Sam Nackman as Arnold Cunningham, and Berlande as Nabulungi. Other roles will also include Sean Casey Flanagan as Elder McKinley, Trevor Dorner as Missionary Training Center Voice and Mission President, and Dewight Braxton Jr. as the General.
If you’re keen on seeing The Book of Mormon, witnessing the show at a world-class venue like the Cadillac Palace Theatre will provide you with the optimal entertainment experience. Since 1926, the theater has been hosting Chicago’s most exciting events. The 2,300-capacity venue is equipped with plush seating and state-of-the-art facilities. Upon entry, guests will be greeted with the theatre’s breathtaking architecture reminiscent of Fontainebleau and the Palace of Versailles. Huge decorative mirrors, marble fixtures, and exquisite gold details also provide guests with a luxurious atmosphere.
The Book of Mormon is one of the most innovative, cleverly written, and hilarious musicals of the decade. If you want to create lasting memories, you should bring your family and friends to this nine-time Tony Award-winning musical! Hurry and book your tickets now to experience the adventures of Elder Price and Elder Cunningham as they try to convert the Ugandan townsfolk to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Tickets to see The Book of Mormon at the Cadillac Palace Theatre are now available!