So how did two comedy writers and a Broadway composer tackle such a sensitive topic? It started with a joke. Trey and Matt saw an episode of South Park that mocked Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. But then they realized something: the actual story of the Book of Mormon is bonkers in the best way.
Ancient Israelites sailing to America? Check. Golden plates? Check. A guy reading from a hat? Double check. They thought, “This is too funny to just mock. Let’s make it a musical where the characters actually believe it.” The result is a show that loves its subject while laughing at it.
They even spent time with real missionaries to get the details right. You know when you try to learn a new recipe by following a YouTube video? That’s what they did, but with a religion. They studied the scriptures, the handshake, and the special underwear. It’s research you can’t fake.
The Song That Changed Everything
One of the show’s most famous songs, “I Believe,” is a perfect example of its magic. The main character, Elder Price, sings about all the wild things he believes in, from talking snakes to a literal paradise in America. On paper, it sounds ridiculous.
The Book Of Mormon Tickets | Prince of Wales Theatre | Musical Tickets
But the music swells, and the lyrics are delivered with such sincere, wide-eyed faith that you find yourself smiling. You might even feel a tiny, guilty tear. It’s like watching a toddler explain why the moon is made of cheese—you know it’s silly, but you love the passion.
That’s the secret sauce. The writers didn’t just mock; they showed why people believe. They gave the believers a voice, even if that voice is singing a comically upbeat tune about being “the only true church.”
