The Book Of Mormon At The Keller Auditorium
This post may contain affiliate links which gives us commission at no additional cost to you. Some posts on this website are guest posts not written by myself or my team, but bring you relevant content. We may also feature items we received for review.
If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “Can a Broadway show really get away with saying THAT?”—The Book of Mormon answers with a gleeful, “Yes. And we’ll sing it in a tap number.”
I saw The Book of Mormon this week at the Keller Auditorium, and to put it simply? It was absolute chaos—in the best, most polished, most hysterically offensive way, and it might be the boldest musical I’ve experienced live.
A Premise So Wrong, It Feels Right
The plot follows two young Mormon missionaries, Elder Price (the golden boy with a God complex) and Elder Cunningham (the awkward, compulsive liar with zero chill), as they’re sent to Uganda to preach the gospel. But things quickly go off the rails—like really off the rails—and what follows is a fast-paced, satirical rollercoaster that somehow manages to be hilarious, clever, and sneakily heartfelt underneath all the absurdity.
It’s South Park meets Broadway, and it somehow works.
Let’s Talk Performances
Sam McLellan as Elder Price was everything I hoped for and more. He nailed the “perfect missionary” vibe—smiling through spiritual panic and borderline narcissism—with total sincerity. His big solo, “I Believe,” was a masterclass in comedic timing and vocal control, and the audience absolutely ate it up.
Diego Enrico as Elder Cunningham was the perfect unhinged counterpart. He brought such a unique rhythm to the role, turning every awkward line and improvised “Star Wars”/”Lord of the Rings” tangent into comedic gold. We couldn’t take our eyes off him- mostly because my husband and I were crying laughing every time he opened his mouth.
And can we talk about Nabulungi? Her vocals were stunning—clear, powerful, and packed with emotion. “Sal Tlay Ka Siti” had this dreamy, Disney-princess-meets-devastating-reality feel that landed beautifully, and her chemistry with Cunningham was unexpectedly sweet.
Set, Style & Satire
The set design was deceptively simple, but so effective. Brightly lit doorbells and classic Broadway sets morph seamlessly into war-torn villages and literal hellfire—complete with dancing devils and historical villains in red sequins. It’s over-the-top in the most delightful way.
The costumes and choreography were clean, sharp, and just the right amount of ridiculous. The “Turn It Off” number (yes, the one about repressing feelings) was a glimmering, jazz-hands fever dream that fully deserves its place in musical theater history.
Musical Numbers That Shouldn’t Work, But Somehow Do
There were so many moments where I found myself thinking, “No way they’re going there…”—and then they went there. And then doubled down. “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream” is everything you’d expect from a feverish guilt trip in tap shoes, and “Hasa Diga Eebowai”… well, if you know, you know. Let’s just say the entire audience gasped—and then immediately burst out laughing.
Despite how outrageous the show is, and trust me, it earns every content warning, there’s a surprising amount of nuance underneath the punchlines. It pokes fun at religion, yes, but it also celebrates hope, friendship, and the wild ways we find meaning in chaos.
Final Thoughts: Is It for Everyone?
Nope. Definitely not. This is not the show you bring your grandma to unless she’s got a very dark sense of humor and a heart condition-free clearance from her doctor. It’s loud, it’s crude, it pushes every boundary—and that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.
If you’re a musical fan who can handle satire with bite, The Book of Mormon is a must-see. It’s the kind of show that will have you laughing at things you know you shouldn’t be laughing at, and walking out with a surprising amount of heart. There’s a reason the most shows are completely sold out, and you should see why before it’s gone!
🎟 5/5 doorbell rings. Would get spiritually unhinged all over again.
Ticket & Show Info:
Tickets can be purchased HERE,
Tuesday, May 27th @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, May 28th @ 7:30pm
Thursday, May 29th @ 7:30pm – American Sign Language Interpreted
Friday, May 30th @ 7:30pm – Audio Description
Saturday, May 31st @ 2pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, June 1st @ 1pm and 6:30pm – Open Caption
PORTLAND, OR ~ THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards® including Best Musical, is pleased to announce a lottery ticket policy for the Portland engagement, playing Keller Auditorium from May 27 to June 1. A limited number of tickets will be available at $25 each.
The wildly popular lottery for the Broadway production has attracted as many as 800 entries at some performances. The producers of THE BOOK OF MORMON are pleased to offer low-priced lottery seats for every city on the National Tour.
The lottery will first open today at 12 PM PT and will close on Thursday, May 22 at 9:30 AM PT. The drawing will take place Thursday, May 22 at 10:00 AM PT and winners have until 7 pm that day to purchase tickets.
- Visit www.LuckySeat.com
- Patrons may sign up in advance to receive an email once the lottery is live for entries.
- Select the city – Portland, OR
- Select the show – THE BOOK OF MORMON
- Entries will be open for one week May 16 – May 22.
- No purchase or payment necessary to enter or participate.
- Each winning entrant may purchase up to two (2) tickets.
- Lottery tickets may be picked up at will call beginning 2 hours prior to the performance with a valid photo ID.
- Lottery tickets void if resold.
- All times listed are in the local time zone PT.
- Tickets are $25 and will be located in the orchestra level.
- Seating is not guaranteed to be together.
Please note that all entries and winners are in advance of the show week. This is not a daily-entry lottery.
THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. The Broadway production is directed by Parker and two-time Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, and choreographed by Nicholaw. The tour is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner based on the original Broadway direction and choreography. Set design is by three-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design is by Tony Award winner Ann Roth, lighting design is by five-time Tony Award winner Brian MacDevitt, sound design is by two-time Tony Award winner Brian Ronan, and hair design is by Josh Marquette. Orchestrations are by Tony Award winner Larry Hochman and two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus. Music supervision and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus. Casting is by Carrie Gardner.
THE BOOK OF MORMON is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Book (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Direction (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker), Best Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical; the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album; four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical; and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.
The Original Broadway Cast Recording for THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.
NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS (Producer) is an industry-leading producer of touring theatrical productions, committed to delivering quality entertainment to audiences worldwide for more than 25 years. www.networkstours.com
The performance schedule for the Portland engagement of THE BOOK OF MORMON is:
Tuesday, May 27th @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, May 28th @ 7:30pm
Thursday, May 29th @ 7:30pm – American Sign Language Interpreted
Friday, May 30th @ 7:30pm – Audio Description
Saturday, May 31st @ 2pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, June 1st @ 1pm and 6:30pm – Open Caption
Broadway in Portland is a partnership between Portland Opera and Broadway Across America.
For more information, visit thebookofmormontour.com
