The musical “Book of Mormon” opened at the Capitol Theatre Tuesday night, just two blocks from the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
25-year-old Holly Ammon of Bountiful was born and raised in the LDS Church, and she says the song, “Hello” from the Book of Mormon reminds her of the missionaries she’s known.
“They’ve got this peppiness about them that is so funny. It’s like, what are you so enthusiastic about?” Ammon says. “They totally captured it.” Ammon has since left the Church, and she thinks the musical holds a particular appeal for Utahns like herself.
“Here people do take it so seriously that are members of the Church, and so for the rest of us to be able to sit back and laugh, and say even though we’re part of this culture, we’re not truly a part of the center of it,” Ammon says. She knows some Mormons will see the show, but her parents would not approve. “For them to hear that I’m attending something that makes fun of their core belief system, I think that is hurtful for them.”
An LDS Church spokesperson said they had nothing new to say about the show, but confirmed they have purchased advertising space in the playbill promoting the actual Book of Mormon. The Tony-award winning musical will run for two weeks. It’s sold out, but there is a drawing for a limited number of tickets.
Information about entering the drawing is available by visiting the Capitol Theatre in person. A ticket salesperson told KUER it costs $26 to enter. It must be paid in cash with a photo ID. Customers must be entered at least 2.5 hours in advance, and the drawing occurs 2 hours before show time.
