Book of Mormon - Box office Smash

I noticed yesterday in last week grosses that 'Book of Mormon' was a sell out, I am looking for tickets in the next 2 weeks for a ticket online, but cannot get anything. The show is still in previews.

Why has this show gone so popular, when a show like Finans Rainbow did nothing at the box office, even with 'dream for' reviews?

Updated On: 3/15/11 at 02:17 PM

That really isn't a fair comparison. I loved both shows, but I don't think you should pit them against each other.

Finian's was a delightful revival but simply never caught on the way it should have.

I think the reason Book of Mormon is so popular is a number of things:

1. It is bringing in a cross-over audience with the names of South Park creators.

2. It is actually really good! I think word of mouth is spreading.


There is a certain percentage of the audience for Book of Mormon that would simply never go and see Finain's Rainbow or any revival. The problem with Finians was that it was never a show for tourists. There weren't big enough names, and it just got caught up in the Winter doldrums.

Is it a pity? of course! But at least it got to have a bit of a run and a delightful cast recording too. I think we all wish for a world where shows like Finian's, Scottsboro Boys, and Book of Mormon could all run for years and be hits. However, that is not the case, and in a season where the big musicals seem to be disappointing Book of Mormon is a clear hit, and I predict will be one with the critics as well.

It has a huge amount of buzz and the guys are actually on a press junket promoting it.

That AND its an original show.
Jon Stewarts joygasm.

Phantom, when you see it, you'll know. It's just brilliant. I enjoyed Finian's Rainbow, but you leave Mormon floating on air. I'm so lucky to have seen it early with a dirt-cheap ticket and arranged for a return trip with family and friends next month.
I think it'll be huge hit and will run for years--doing for Broadway what people thought that Spiderman might. So it's really good news for New York theater...

just from trying to get tickets to see the show again during previews, it does look like it's sold-out for previews. Once the reviews come out it looks like this could end up being the "must see" show of the season. I doubt any discounts will be valid after the show opens and could only imagine how insane the rush/lotto will be during the summer.

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massofmen, if you had to put a number on it, how long will it last before it closes? Ya know... ballpark.

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I completely disagree that there is a limited paying audience. People thought the same thing for Avenue Q, and that had a long and healthy run to a much bigger demographic than anticipated. And since 'Book of Mormon' has even more 'prestige' attached to it, I think it stands an even better chance of running for a long period of time. 'Wicked' long? No, because there's nothing to even begin to compare with that. But it certainly has a few years ahead of it.


I would love it if it stopped in Salt Lake City! I grew up in a predominantly Mormon community, and I've been advising all my Mormon and fellow raised-among-Mormon friends to come out to NYC and see the show however they can. They have a great sense of humor about everything, including their religion. I think it would play fantastic out there.

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Updated On: 3/15/11 at 05:43 PM

Billy Elliot? That would be my closet approximation. Of course, that was a transfer, so it had a bit of a leg up ahead of time.

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haha- I know it's on tkts now and all, I guess. X)

Another one? Jersey Boys? I remember going to an early preview and the literal 5 minute applause after the Big Girls/Walk Like a Man/Sherry montage. It might have been a bit slower picking up steam, but it obviously did pick up!

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Crap! I've just been checking for tickets too and all the discounted and cheap ones are gone for when I get there! Would I likely have any better luck by calling them or going to the box office direct with the discount print-off?

Scarywarhol, was that ticket full-priced?

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And to think, I had the opportunity to buy a good $45 seat like a week ago. I'm seriously kicking myself now. I'm taking my chances (slim though they may be) for the lottery next week or standing room.

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Haaaaaaay, I am a 51-yr-old woman and I loved the BOM - saw it twice in fact, including once with my 2 children. So, don't assume that women and families won't come to see it. And I loved Mamma Mia, btw, but so what ? Why don't we just wait and see what happens with the box office ?