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Theater News: Smash-Hit ‘The Book of Mormon’ Coming to Chicago in 2012
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CHICAGO – The biggest and most talked about musical to hit Broadway in years will have a mission in Chicago come December 2012. “The Book of Mormon,” winner of 9 Tony Awards this year including Best Musical, will be coming to the Bank of America Theater in downtown Chicago for at least a 12 week run.
Just like “Jersey Boys” or “Wicked,” “The Book of Mormon” has initially only set the run in Chicago at 12 weeks, but the plan is to stay longer. If the show does well (which, judging by New York’s nightly sell outs and resale of tickets ranging in the $500 range, it will) the show could stay in the city for years, possibly.
“The Book of Mormon” follows the story of two young Mormon missionaries who are sent to a highly threatened area of northern Uganda. While the locals worry more about hunger, poverty, a warlord, and AIDS, the two naïve missionaries try to preach scripture and convert the villagers. The show is a satire on religion and missionaries and is not for the kids, containing crude language and songs.
The show was written by “South Park” and “Team America” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, along with the co-writer of another famous Broadway musical comedy, “Avenue Q,” Robert Lopez. The show was in development for seven years before debuting on Broadway this past March.
The writers shared their thoughts in a press release this morning: “We plan to be involved every step of the way just as we were on the Broadway production,” said Parker and Stone. “We’re incredibly excited about doing everything we can to deliver a great show for the Chicago audience.” Broadway in Chicago President Lou Raizin also expressed his excitement about the news: “Since the show began there hasn’t been a day that goes by without questions from our patrons about when the show is coming to Chicago,” Raizin said. “We are thrilled that THE BOOK OF MORMON has chosen to launch one of their companies in our city.”
Tickets are currently only being sold to groups of 15 or more on BroadwayChicago.com, but be sure to grab some up as soon as they are available. If New York is any clue, “The Book of Mormon” could be Chicago’s hottest ticket very soon.
![]() | By TIM MARTENS |