The Book of Mormon- National Tour Comes Back to San Diego

As Part of Broadway San Diego's 46th Season 

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

The Book of Mormon N.A Tour. Photo by Julieta Cervantes

The Book of Mormon, a musical that has been a sensation, captivating audiences for years, and what I consider to be part of "the new era of musicals" winner of nine Tony Awards® including Best Musical, continues to shine with its recent national tour with its stop in San Diego at the Civic Theatre for Broadway San Diego's 46th season.

The plot follows the journey of two young Mormon missionaries, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, sent to a remote village in Uganda. The musical skillfully combines satire, wit, and heartfelt moments to explore themes of faith, friendship, and personal growth. As the story unfolds, it cleverly navigates through humorous scenarios, thought-provoking messages, and catchy musical numbers like "Hello!", "Turn it Off", and "I Believe", amongst others. The type of humor portrayed combined with the subject matter, might not be for everyone but, you cannot argue with the creativity of Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, responsible for co-writing the book, lyrics, and music, along with Trey Parker and Casey Nicolaw who also co-direct.

Sam McLellan, Keke Nesbitt, Sam-Nackman in The Book of Mormon. N.A tour.Photo Julieta-Cervantes

In this production, Sam McLellan is captivating as Elder Price, capturing the character's ambition and vulnerability with depth and precision. Sam Nackman made his national tour debut right as the hilarious and charismatic Elder Cunningham bringing infectious energy and comedic timing that keeps the audience engaged throughout.

Keke Nesbitt's presence in the role of Nabulungi is a true delight. Her wonderful voice is a standout, effortlessly hitting the high notes and conveying the emotions of her character. The name Nabulungi is part of a bit throughout the whole performance where people will be laughing nonstop. The cast delivers an exceptional performance, showcasing their talent and dedication. From Glen Kelly's sophisticated choreography -including a hilarious tap sequence-, to the high notes in the songs, coated by Brian Ronan's precise sound design, every aspect of the production is meticulously executed. The entire ensemble works together seamlessly, creating a cohesive and electrifying experience for the audience.

Scott Pask's set design travels well to create in each venue the signature elements as well as colors of the Mormon church and its counterpart in Uganda for the missionary's quarters, and plenty of attention to detail for a scene at the airport, along with a dream sequence recreation that is superb. Brian MacDevitt's lighting design is key, highlighting all the special moments and leaving audiences gasping while accompanying stellar songs in the show and choreography.

Even after years of debuting, The Book of Mormon remains as relevant and entertaining as ever. It is a smartly written script, filled with sharp humor and poignant moments, showcasing why it has become a timeless hit. The musical's ability to balance satire and heart is a testament to its enduring appeal.

Sam McLellan and company in The Book of Mormon N.A-tour.Photo Julieta Cervantes 

Currently running until September 24 at the Civic Theatre as part of Broadway San Diego's season. For performance times and tickets please go to www.broadwaysd.com.

There is a lottery! 

A limited number of tickets will be available at $25 each. Enter directly through the Broadway San Diego App. 

Entries for each performance will be available from 10 AM to 3 PM the day prior to the performance. Entrants will be notified if they are selected via email at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $25 each. If you are selected as a winner, you have 60 minutes to pay for your tickets. Seats are assigned at the discretion of the Ticket Office and cannot be transferred to other people or performances.