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The ‘Book of Mormon’ is hilarious and irreverent with a heart of gold

Jan 22, 2025 10:14AM ● By Peri Kinder

Sam McLellan and company in “The Book of Mormon” North American Tour playing at Eccles Theater through Sunday, Jan. 26. (Photo by Julieta-Cervantes)

When an arrogant, 19-year-old missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sent to Uganda to serve a two-year mission, he leaves his sheltered life and faces the harsh realities of poverty, violence and hopelessness for the first time.

In “The Book of Mormon” musical, Sam McLellan perfectly portrays Elder Price, who is devastated when Heavenly Father doesn’t answer his prayers to serve a mission in Orlando, Florida. However, he decides it’s his destiny to convert the people of Uganda and lead them to the truth. 

His missionary companion is Elder Cunningham, a nerdy, insecure young man who idolizes Price until the two disagree about their role in Uganda. Diego Enrico hilariously captures Cunningham’s hesitancy and self-doubt as he teaches the people about the Book of Mormon, which he’s never read.

Keke Nesbitt plays Nabulungi, a young woman who wants to escape the dangers of her village and dreams of living in the paradisiacal Salt Lake City. Her heartbreaking song, “Sal Tlay Ka Siti” demonstrates her impressionable innocence as she encourages her people to listen to the missionary discussions. 

As Price struggles with his faith, and endures the lively “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream” (complete with pitchfork-wielding demons and Starbucks’ coffee cups), he is determined to bring the local warlord to the gospel. His song, “I Believe” embodies his naivete, his longing to be a good Mormon and his implicit trust that his testimony will sway the warlord’s dark heart. 

Performing this musical in Salt Lake City must be a thrill for cast members whose performances were received with wild applause and raucous laughter because people in Utah get all the jokes. 

Favorite numbers include the group of missionaries singing “Turn It Off” when it comes to feeling anything disturbing, “Man Up” which is Cunningham’s song to himself as he prepares to teach the people, and “I Am Africa” sung by the all-white missionaries, bringing huge cringe. 

This religious coming-of-age story makes fun of many things members of the LDS church consider sacred (Joseph Smith, temple garments, Brigham Young, pioneers, etc.). It also contains explicit language and obscene gestures, and there are wince-inducing “jokes” about rape and genital mutilation. However, the core message is a sweet reflection on the optimism and faith of these young men who dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ. 

A nine-time Tony Award® -winning show (including Best Musical), “The Book of Mormon” was written by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. It was called “The best musical of this century” by The New York Times and “The funniest musical of all time” by Entertainment Weekly.

“The Book of Mormon” is playing at Eccles Theater (131 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City) through Sunday, Jan. 26. Visit saltlakecity.broadway.com for ticket information.