Book of Mormon opening night in Salt Lake City

[Dave13]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 9:19pm

I have the privilege of attending BOM in SLC. Tons of press outside.  Love hearing people pretend they know all about the show and have no idea what they are talking about.  

It will be interesting to see the audience reaction to inside jokes that I think Mormons will get and hopefully appreciate.  

Updated On: 7/28/15 at 09:19 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 9:20pm

So exciting! I wanted to be there, but it didn't pan out. I can't wait to hear more!

[mattporter17]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 9:21pm

Please report back cause this is really interesting... lol  

[Dave13]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 9:26pm

"Please report back cause this is really interesting... lol  "

 Will do. It's more entertaining watching and listening to people's conversations before the show. 

People are wearing their missionary name tags to the show!!!!

Updated On: 7/28/15 at 09:26 PM

[mattporter17]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 9:27pm

Is this an Equity or non-Equity production? I didn't know this show was being licensed...

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 9:28pm

It's the first national tour.

[mattporter17]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 9:30pm

Oh duh... excuse my momentary stupidity.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 9:31pm

This is going to get really interesting very very soon.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 9:58pm

excited for your report

is this the first time the tour has played salt lake city or utah?

would have thought they had been there by now after 3 years of tours

 

BTW, the Church has already jumped on the bandwagon

 

The playbill for the first national tour in SF last month featured

FOUR FULL PAGE COLOR ADS INVITING PATRONS TO CHECK OUT

THE "REAL" BOOK OF MORMON

 

I was shocked and amused by the art imitating life =>

life imitating art moment of these ads

 

=> would love as a marketer to know the conversion

rate on these ads.....

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 10:01pm

All of the playbills/programs for all four companies have had ads from the actual LDS church for over a year now. I think Broadway was the last to get on board. And yep, this is their first time in Utah. 

[mattporter17]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 10:04pm

First time in O-tah AND Sal Tlay Ka Siti!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 10:07pm

When the first national came through Boston the first time the Playbill was jam packed with LDS ads.

[Dave13]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 10:49pm

We are at intermission. The energy in the crowd and on stage is incredible. When Elder Price made his first appearance on stage, the crowd went wild. He literally had to pause for the audience applause. 

At the end of "Hello" when the back drop turns to Salt Lake City, the crowd went wild again. 

During Salt Lake City song ( I know it's spelled differently), Nabulungi had to pause a few times for the audience applause and laughter.  

The crowd went wild again during Turn It Off, especially when they switched to the pink vests.  

Unbelievable.  I don't think I have ever attended a show with so much energy.  You can tell the actors are eating it up.  Everyone on stage is giving their best performance.  Wish I could record it for everyone to see. It's an experience to say the least. 

Can't wait for the second act and the X-Ray......

[Dave13]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 10:51pm

"excited for your report
is this the first time the tour has played salt lake city or utah?
would have thought they had been there by now after 3 years of tours
 
BTW, the Church has already jumped on the bandwagon
 
The playbill for the first national tour in SF last month featured
FOUR FULL PAGE COLOR ADS INVITING PATRONS TO CHECK OUT
THE "REAL" BOOK OF MORMON
 
I was shocked and amused by the art imitating life =>
life imitating art moment of these ads
 
=> would love as a marketer to know the conversion
rate on these ads.....
 "

 Yes this is the first time in Salt Lake City. We have a small theater, so shows usually head to the cities with the bigger theaters. The Playbill has 3 full page ads as you describe. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 10:58pm

Fantastic. Thanks for the report!

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 7/28/15 at 11:09pm

Thanks for the report. There are moderates, atheists, humanists, and reasonable religious people in every city. I think the more  oppressive the climate is, the more they must be starved for something like this. 

[Dave13]

Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:17am

Shows over.  I did seem BOM with the original cast several times, but this had to be one of the best performances of the show I have seen.  

AJ Holmes plays Elder Cunningham. He does an incredible job. He plays it a little differently than Josh Gad, but still incredible. I honestly can't say which performance I liked more.  The only difference is Josh Gad had a much better singing voice.  However, I think AJ played the part just as good as Josh. I am hesitant to say it was better than Josh, but pretty close. If you get a chance to see him play, Elder Cunningham, do yourself a favor and see it. 

The energy of the show really felt like a rock concert. Several times the audience broke out in applause during songs.  The only thing missing was a standing ovation during the show.  

Would love to see an interview from the cast after the show.  That had to be an experience for the cast they will never forget.  I have tickets for a few more shows before it leaves.  I will keep you updated.  

 

 

 

Updated On: 7/29/15 at 12:17 AM

[billyelliotfan123]

Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:19am

How did they react to I Believe

[Dave13]

Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:27am

"How did they react to I Believe"

 The crowd broke in applause and laughter many times during the song. It really felt the crowd got it because many in the audience live that lifestyle. Crowd definitely loved the comment about black people.  

The only thing I would suggest to the cast and crew, is they need to anticipate the crowd applauding during the performance. A few times during "I believe", the crowd would roar and you couldn't hear parts of the song.  Not sure if the song should be performed with pauses or simply ignore the crowd.  I think it is best to pause with this crowd, which did happen in other scenes. 

 

 

 

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:29am

How was the reaction to All American Prophet - Elder Price's version? And what line(s) in I Believe got the biggest reaction?

And I assume the gasps with Hasa Diga Eebowai may have been louder than usual?

Updated On: 7/29/15 at 12:29 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:33am

How many walkouts?

[A1st]

Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:33am

Yeah and I'm dying to know what they thought of Hasa Diga Eebowai!!!

[boylikethat]

Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:37am

How was the reaction to Joseph Smith American Moses?

I so wish I could see this in SLC.

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:52am

SLC Tribune   "The first national tour plays in Salt Lake City — or as a song from the show calls it, the mythical place of "Sal Tlay Ka Siti," where the warlords are friendly — through Aug. 9."

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/29/15 at 12:58am

SLC TV news reporter was outside for the whole show (or most of it) and saw no walkouts! https://twitter.com/BenWinslow/status/626249222862442496 

Updated On: 7/29/15 at 12:58 AM