In partnership with “The Book of Mormon”
After a record-breaking run that first hit Australian shores a decade ago, “The Book of Mormon” is back — and ready to shock and delight audiences once again.
Now playing at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning musical is widely considered one of the most successful — and audacious — productions of the 21st century.
Billed as “the best musical of this century” by The New York Times, the satire follows two earnest young Mormon missionaries sent far from Salt Lake City in a well-meaning attempt to spread their faith.
What unfolds in a high-energy spectacle that takes on organised religion, Western idealism and musical theatre tropes, while still somehow managing to be big-hearted and entertaining.
With its return to Sydney, the production brings together the same creative dream team that first turned heads when the show premiered on Broadway in 2011. That includes “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who teamed up with songwriter Robert Lopez — a double EGOT winner and co-writer of “Frozen” and “Avenue Q” — to write the show’s book, music and lyrics. The show also features direction and choreography from Broadway star Casey Nicholaw (“Aladdin,” “Mean Girls,” “The Prom”).
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Australian audiences have a special connection with “The Book of Mormon.” When it premiered at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in 2015, the show smashed the venue’s 159-year box office record for its opening sales period — a feat it would repeat during its subsequent seasons in Sydney and Brisbane.
It also took out the Helpmann Award for Best Musical and earned cult status among local theatre fans.
Now, the Sydney production includes a mix of fresh talent and seasoned performers. Sean Johnson (“Hairspray”) steps into the role of Elder Price, while Nick Cox (“Beauty and the Beast”) plays his sidekick, Elder Cunningham. Making her professional debut is Paris Leveque as Nabulungi, whose solo performances are one to look out for.
Tom Struik (“Sister Act”) joins the cast as Elder McKinley, alongside Simbarashe Matshe (“Filthy Business”) as Madala Hatimbi, Augie Tchantcho as The General and Matthew Hamilton (“Tina – The Tina Turner Musical”) as the Mission President.
For all its satire and sharp wit, “The Book of Mormon” is ultimately a celebration of theatre’s ability to provoke, challenge and entertain. Its show-stopping numbers are delivered with tongue in cheek, backed by hilarious choreography and lavish production design.
It’s a musical that breaks the fourth wall and leaves audiences wondering if they should be laughing this hard.
With set design by three-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costumes by Tony Award® and two-time Academy Award winner Ann Roth, lighting by six-time Tony Award winner Brian MacDevitt and sound by two-time Tony Award winner Brian Ronan, the Sydney production brings all the Broadway polish you’d expect. Music direction is by Stephen Oremus, who also worked on the original run of the show.
Backed by the NSW Government through Destination NSW, the show’s return to Sydney promises to reignite the city’s theatre scene and offer a night out unlike anything else currently on stage.
The Book of Mormon is now playing at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. Get tickets now on the website.
Contains explicit language.