Book Of Mormon – Now Playing In Portland

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The Book of Mormon at Keller Auditorium: Hysterical, Inappropriate, and Easily One of the Best Shows I’ve Seen in Years

Okay, let me just say it: The Book of Mormon blew my mind. I laughed so hard I was physically exhausted by the end. This show is unhinged in the most glorious way possible. It’s bold, it’s irreverent, and it’s exactly what I didn’t know I needed. If you’re wondering whether to grab tickets while it’s in Portland at Keller Auditorium—STOP WONDERING. Do it now!!! Tickets are VERY limited. 

Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (yep, the South Park guys) along with musical genius Robert Lopez (Frozen, Avenue Q), The Book of Mormon is like Broadway took a shot of espresso, washed it down with a tequila chaser, and decided to absolutely lose its mind. And I was here for every second.

Plot? Insane. Characters? Iconic. Music? Straight-up addictive.

We follow two mismatched Mormon missionaries: Elder Price, a self-obsessed overachiever who thinks he’s God’s favorite, and Elder Cunningham, a lovable hot mess with a Star Wars obsession and zero chill. They get sent to Uganda (instead of the Orlando dream mission Elder Price was hoping for) and chaos unfolds.

The villagers don’t exactly greet them with open arms—instead, they bust out with a musical number called “Hasa Diga Eebowai” which, spoiler alert, is NOT a term of endearment. The rest of the show follows their hilarious and totally unqualified attempt to convert an entire village while dealing with warlords, disease, and… frogs?

Let’s Talk About the Music (Because OMG)

There are so many iconic songs in this show, but here are a few that completely wrecked me—in the best way:

“Spooky Mormon Hell Dream” – This was hands-down one of the best numbers I’ve ever seen in any musical, period. Elder Price has a full-blown, guilt trip nightmare featuring tap-dancing devils, Satan himself, and special appearances from Jeffrey Dahmer, Genghis Khan, and Johnny Cochran. I mean… what?! It’s campy, theatrical perfection and I wanted to live in that moment forever. But the dancing Starbuck coffees….. that sent me over the edge!

“Turn It Off” – This one is delivered by the charming and fabulously repressed Elder McKinley, who cheerfully explains how to shut down all feelings that make you uncomfortable—”just like a light switch!” Cue the jazz hands, tap dancing, and surprise glitter vests. It’s hilarious on the surface but sneaks in a quiet sadness underneath. Easily one of the smartest songs in the whole show.

“Baptize Me” – This duet between Elder Cunningham and Nabulungi (the sweet, hopeful local girl) is so packed with sexual innuendo it should come with a warning label. It’s awkward, adorable, and completely unhinged. I laughed so hard I had to cover my mouth.

“I Believe” – Elder Price’s solo moment of clarity is delivered with soaring vocals and complete conviction… about beliefs that are hilariously absurd. It’s such a brilliantly structured song, and by the end, I was applauding the absurdity right along with him.

Character Chaos & Comedy Gold

• Elder Price (Sam McLellan) – He’s basically a Mormon Ken doll with an ego the size of Utah and a meltdown just waiting to happen. Sam McLellan plays him with laser-focused energy, giving us a perfectly polished outer shell that slowly starts to crack in the most hilarious ways. His exaggerated confidence makes his downfall even funnier, especially when he’s face-to-face with realities his religion never prepared him for. His facial expressions alone are worth the price of admission. Watching him go from control freak to unraveling mess is pure Broadway magic.
• Elder Cunningham (Diego Enrico) – Imagine if your chaotic best friend suddenly became a missionary and decided to improvise scripture with stories from sci-fi and fantasy. That’s Elder Cunningham. Diego Enrico brings so much lovable energy and comedic timing to the role that it’s impossible not to root for him—even when he’s lying through his teeth. He’s clumsy, awkward, and doesn’t know when to stop talking, but somehow, his nonsense turns into real connection. You just want to give him a hug and tell him he’s enough—because his heart really is in the right place.
• Nabulungi (KeKe Nesbitt) – KeKe Nesbitt absolutely shines as the sweet and wide-eyed Nabulungi, the only female lead and the emotional heart of the show. She dreams of a better life in Salt Lake City and puts all her hope in the elders, even as they butcher her name in the most absurd ways. From Neutrogena to Nutella, the name jokes NEVER get old, and Nesbitt plays every moment with a balance of innocence and fierce determination. Her voice is stunning, and she brings genuine warmth to a show full of chaos. You really want her to get her happily ever after.
• Elder McKinley (Craig Franke) – Craig Franke is the breakout star you didn’t know you needed. As the closeted, glitter-loving Elder McKinley, he commands every scene he’s in with sass, sparkle, and just enough inner turmoil to make it meaningful. His performance of “Turn It Off” is an absolute showstopper—equal parts comedic gold and emotional gut-punch. He somehow manages to be both fabulous and heartbreaking at once, and honestly? I would happily watch an entire spinoff musical about his journey. He brings flair, finesse, and an unforgettable presence to the stage.

Visuals That Slayed

The choreography is razor-sharp, especially in numbers like “Turn It Off” and the nightmare sequence. Costumes are half buttoned-up missionary, half full-blown glitter drag show. And the set design transitions so smoothly from missionary training center to rural Uganda to… the depths of Mormon Hell? I was LIVING for the creativity.

It’s Offensive. It’s Hilarious. It’s Weirdly Moving.

Listen, if you’re super sensitive or don’t enjoy dark satire, this might not be the show for you. But if you appreciate smart comedy, unexpected heart, and perfectly executed musical theater chaos—this will be your new obsession. It somehow roasts religion, colonialism, and toxic positivity, all while making you laugh, think, and maybe even tear up a little.

One of the Best Nights of Theater I’ve Ever Had.

No exaggeration—The Book of Mormon might be the funniest musical I’ve ever seen. I laughed until my abs hurt and I left the theater buzzing. It’s ridiculous. It’s brilliant. And I’ll be talking about it for the rest of the year.

Playing in Portland through June 1 at Keller Auditorium. Get your tickets now—trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.

The performance schedule for the Portland engagement of THE BOOK OF MORMON is:

Tuesday, May 27                         7:30 pm

Wednesday, May 28                 7:30 pm

Thursday, May 29                       7:30 pm – American Sign Language Interpreted

Friday, May 30                             7:30 pm – Audio Description

Saturday, May 31                       2 pm and 7:30 pm

Sunday, June 1                            1 pm and

6:30 pm – Open Caption

 

Broadway in Portland is a partnership between Portland Opera and Broadway Across America.

For more information, visit thebookofmormontour.com

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