Open the Door to the Divine Comedy Where Irreverence Meets Inspiration – The Book of Mormon at the Eccles

By Jason and Alisha Hagey

Bursting with heresy and hilarity, The Book of Mormon is a riotous triumph currently gracing the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City as part of the Broadway Across America series. This bawdy, laugh-out-loud production revels in its role as a sharp-edged satire of religious culture. Centered on two hapless, inexperienced Latter-day Saint missionaries dispatched to a Ugandan village, the show delivers a relentless barrage of humor and heart where nothing is sacred.

The Book of Mormon isn’t just satire – it’s a comedy of epic proportions, blending obscene humor and lewd jokes with moments of unexpected sincerity. Beneath its outrageous surface, the show offers a peculiar tribute to the resilience of faith and the human spirit, even as it fearlessly mocks sacred cows.

Jennifer Werner (Director) is intelligent, expertly blending wicked comedy with heartfelt moments. Werner’s ability to balance ludicrous humor and profound emotion guarantees the show’s incisive satire never loses its heart. Each scene has a dynamic style and careful pacing. Because of Werner’s skill in fusing spectacle and narrative, The Book of Mormon vividly celebrates live theater (using the power inherent in live performance) and is a screamingly funny experience.

The powerhouse performances of the cast create a memorable experience. Sam McLellan (Elder Price) is a luminous example of humorous narcissism. McLellan is the quintessential overachiever, hiding his vulnerabilities behind a façade of perfection. McLellan glows with bombast with each note of the well-known “Hello” song. He ramps up the pomposity with “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” and reaches his zenith in the over-the-top “I Believe.” Because of his excessive self-confidence, his inevitable humbling is delightful and hilarious.

The ideal counterpoint is Diego Enrico (Elder Cunningham), who balances McLellan’s slick bluster with wild, awkward appeal. Enrico commands the stage with charming clumsiness and perfect timing. As the audience cheers for his unlikely victories, his portrayal keeps them wonderfully unbalanced – you never know what will happen next. Enrico’s performance is fresh, his line delivery spot-on, and his turns of vocal range hilarious, especially in numbers like “Man Up” and “Making Things Up Again.”

Craig Franke (Elder McKinley) dazzles with stunning scenes at every entrance. In “Turn It Off,” Franke leads a vivacious tap routine that combines dazzling choreography with layers of comedic subtext, creating a standout moment of pure theatrical glee. Later, he does the same with his missionary entourage in “I Am Africa.” Though a side character, he very nearly steals the show. 

Keke Nesbitt (Nabulungi) is remarkable; her genuine warmth and energy bring the story to life. She and Enrico have a captivating chemistry, and she has flawless comedic timing in songs like “Baptize Me” and “Sal Tlay Ka Siti.” The ensemble as a whole brings constant joy. They are all solid in their dancing, acting, and ability to keep the show moving.

The production immerses its audience in a familiar and fantastical world. Scott Pask (Scenic Designer) creates an ingenious visual tableau featuring a proscenium within a proscenium framed by the iconic Utah skyline. The set balances clever cultural references with broader appeal, ensuring insiders and newcomers can revel in the visual wit.

Brian MacDevitt (Lighting Designer) elevates every joke and musical cue, accentuating the spectacle with unexpected effects and bursts of brilliant color. Chad Parsley’s (Sound Designer, based on the original design by Brian Ronan) sound design combines perfectly with the lighting design to accompany the lighthearted score. The end effect is a smooth, energetic, and captivating sensory experience.

The Book of Mormon‘s most outstanding achievement is its capacity to be both hilarious and inspirational. Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone (Book, Music, and Lyrics) write clever musical numbers. Every song is a multi-layered tribute to Broadway classics. With a tongue-in-cheek twist that keeps the audience smiling, Jennifer Werner’s (Choreographer) dance numbers reflect this playful tone with a whirlwind of beach parties, tap dances, and even some gospel-inspired flare.

For anyone familiar only with the cast recordings, seeing The Book of Mormon live is an entirely different – and utterly delightful – experience. Its infectious energy, razor-sharp satire, and unabashed humor create an evening of hysterical theater. The show is particularly fulfilling because of this duality – blasphemy combined with true theatrical artistry. While it jovially pushes boundaries, it invites the audience to reflect on broader themes of faith, hope, and human connection. There is nothing like The Book of Mormon live in Salt Lake City because there is no place that will get the jokes quite as well as those of us in the Beehive State.

Run time: 2 hours and 30 mins with 1 intermission.

Age recommendation: Parents, please be advised that The Book of Mormon contains explicit language. We invite each family to choose what is suitable, however, children under 4 will not be admitted.

Broadway at the Eccles Presents The Book of Mormon
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone
Delta Hall at the Eccles Theater
131 Main St, Salt Lake City, Utah
January 21st – 26th, 2025
Tues – Thur: 7:00 pm
Fri: 7:30 pm
Sat: 1:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sun: 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm
$119-$279
Tickets are available at the Eccles Theater box office, 131 South Main Street, SLC, UT 84111 or by visiting Broadway-at-the-Eccles.com or by calling 801.355.2787 (ARTS)
Broadway Across America/Broadway at the Eccles
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Accessible Performances:
OPEN CAPTIONED: Saturday, Jan 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
During our captioning performances, we offer a screen near the stage that will provide live captions throughout the show. Patrons who are interested in the captioned performance should select seats located at Orchestra Right on the Main Floor (excluding Orchestra Pit seating).

AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Friday, Jan 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The spoken narration of the performance’s key visual elements. This option is available on the following performances. Devices are available at the Patron Services window in the main lobby.

ASL INTERPRETED: Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
American sign language is scheduled upon request. Listed below are our current scheduled performances.

CLOSED CAPTIONING:
Closed Captioning will be offered for the performances listed below during the open captioned performances. This service may be utilized from any seat.