The Book of Mormon - Chicago company

[jon5202]

Posted: 12/20/12 at 10:53am

The Chicago company of The Book of Mormon opened last night. The first reviews are raves:

Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/theaterloop/chi-book-of-mormon-review-20121219,0,2348748.column?track=rss

Chicago Sun Times

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/stage/17018618-421/ring-a-ding-smart-witty-book-of-mormon-delivers-on-every-level.html

Around the Town

http://www.aroundthetownchicago.com/theatre-reviews/the-book-of-mormon/





Updated On: 12/31/12 at 10:53 AM

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 12/20/12 at 11:36am

Interesting that those sites are using promo images with Andrew Rannells' face on them. Given that he's on "The New Normal" and is a bit more recognizable now, don't they think that might cause slight confusion?

All the promo artwork I've seen so far just shows the Elder from the mouth or neck down. I like that much better.

[BigRed]

Posted: 12/20/12 at 11:38am

I love how Chris Jones pretty much leads his review with Ben Platt and how he's a great addition to the production. However, he didn't really like Syesha which I found very surprising.

http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/mormon/review.html



Updated On: 12/20/12 at 11:38 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/20/12 at 11:55am

Here's the direct link to Around Town Chicago's review. They use the Chicago cast photos (and just one with Rannells): http://www.aroundthetownchicago.com/theatre-reviews/the-book-of-mormon/

Updated On: 12/20/12 at 11:55 AM

[jon5202]

Posted: 12/20/12 at 5:36pm

Additional reviews:

New City Stage

http://newcitystage.com/2012/12/20/review-the-book-of-mormonbroadway-in-chicago/

Showbiz Chicago

http://showbizchicago.com/2012/12/the-book-of-mormon-is-a-faith-healer/#.UNNNRqyYFzc

Stage and Cinema

http://www.stageandcinema.com/2012/12/20/book-of-mormon-chicago/

Updated On: 12/20/12 at 05:36 PM

[brian.klimowski]

Posted: 12/20/12 at 6:14pm

Hahaha, Albert Cunningham!

[jon5202]

Posted: 12/20/12 at 11:03pm

Book of Mormon breaks BOA theatre box office record (1.493 mil)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/theaterloop/chi-book-of-mormon-rakes-in-1493-million-20121220,0,6382304.column

[jon5202]

Posted: 12/20/12 at 11:06pm

Additional reviews of opening night:

Time Out Chicago

http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/theater/15956616/the-book-of-mormon-at-bank-of-america-theatre-theater-review

Chicago Critic

http://chicagocritic.com/the-book-of-mormon/



Updated On: 12/20/12 at 11:06 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/20/12 at 11:16pm

I wouldn't be suprised if they announced another extension, possibly through Labor Day.

[SpaceOpera]

Posted: 12/23/12 at 11:58pm

A little birdie has me informed that the production could very well be 9 months (so basically what you've stated). All I know for absolute certain is that the cast is well aware that the June date is tentative, but they are unable to speak aloud about how long they'll actually be there (though that doesn't mean that those who know them are keeping the same secrets).

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 2:07am

the producers have been very careful not to officially refer to this as a sit-down or open-run production. Each three month e,tension is referred to as an extension ( Wicked and Jersey Boys were simply selling a "new" block of tickets). They don't want another Billy Elliot on their hands. That said, I heard that they expect to get about a year out if it.

[Akitarent]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 8:14am

What happened with Billy Elliot?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 11:02am

It was a show they expected to get a year out of. Not only did it close early, it closed before the booking period end date...more like a Broadway closing than a tour closing.

[jon5202]

Posted: 12/31/12 at 10:34pm

Book of Mormon Chicago company announces new extension.

Tickets now on sale through September 8, 2013 beginning January 1, 2013

[SpaceOpera]

Posted: 1/1/13 at 5:41pm

Scooped 'em all by a week!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/1/13 at 10:49pm

yep, as expected. I would imagine it'll sell very well throughout the summer, thus likely extending through the end of the year.

[grandpianoalex]

Posted: 1/1/13 at 10:50pm

Saw the show in Chicago last Friday. Incredible cast. The score is sung MUCH better by this cast, in my opinion. I was blown away by those voices.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 1/1/13 at 11:46pm

I concur. Ben Platt provides a completely new take on Cunningham, and dare I say tops even Gad in the role.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 1/2/13 at 12:01am

Platt was in "Pitch Perfect" correct? I only ask because I find it good to know his screen "voice" (I say it with quotes because all know they are often times helped along) is as good as his stage voice.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/2/13 at 12:54am

Yes.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4805317/

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 1/2/13 at 12:40pm

Wow he's cute in that picture.

[Paulmetzy2]

Posted: 1/2/13 at 3:40pm

Ben's attitude negates any cuteness he may have.....

[BigRed]

Posted: 1/2/13 at 7:58pm

He was very polite to people at the stage door after the first preview performance in Chicago.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/18/13 at 2:18pm

Got tickets in the lottery last night. I'd say about 2/3 of the people who entered the lottery got tickets, so apparently, it's easier to get on weeknights. Saw the original cast on Broadway opening weekend and the Chicago production is every bit as good.

Platt's take on Elder Cunningham was wildly different than Gad, but quite good. Rather than an obnoxious buffoon, he comes off more as naive and "touched", making the character a bit more sympathetic. And his singing voice is fantastic. I was also extremely impressed with Syesha Mercado who definitely had the charisma and charm to match her pipes. Vocally, the entire cast is flawless. And while I admit the show loses some of its power of surprise in a second viewing, halfway through Two By Two, I was instantly reminded out how fun and joyful the show was when I originally saw it and why it was a slam-dunk for Best Musical.

Updated On: 1/18/13 at 02:18 PM

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 1/18/13 at 5:33pm

Personally I really enjoyed watching this cast perform and thought Platt's interpretation was far superior to Gad's I loved the chemistry between the two leads. They made me love this show even more than I did before.