'Book of Mormon' Tickets On Sale, Sell Out Anticipated

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A line of fans snaked around the Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue Friday afternoon. Broadway fans couldn't wait to get their hands on "Book of Mormon" tickets.

The controversial musical began selling tickets at 5 p.m.

"I'm addicted to the music, the music is fantastic," said Jill Smook, who arrived around 10 a.m. to wait in line. "Even though some of the music is very offensive, it's funny and catchy."

The musical follows two Mormon missionaries that travel from their home in Salt Lake City, Utah, to a village in Uganda. After witnessing the brutality of a village leader one of the missionaries begins to lose faith.

"The Book of Mormon is really a Broadway show unlike any other," said Anna Pitera with Hennepin Theatre Trust. "With all the Tony Awards and the buzz, it's still playing to sold out crowds in New York."

Performances run Feb. 5 - 17. There will be a total of sixteen shows over two weeks. Tickets begin at $35 and are limited to only four per person.

"We do anticipate a full sell out for the run," Pitera said. "There will be a lottery for this engagement, just like there is in New York City."

The musical has won nine Tony Awards including "Best Musical." It also won a Grammy for "Best Musical Theater Album". It was co-written by the creators of Comedy Central's "South Park," Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

At 3 p.m. Friday, well over 100 people stood in line, including a former Mormon named Mariann. She is from Salt Lake City, but she now lives in the Twin Cities.

"I hear it's a spoof on the Mormon religion, so I'm here to see something funny," she said. "I know it's funny, it's my kind of humor. That's what attracted me more than the name of the play, but it does hit home for me."