“THE BOOK OF MORMON” IS RINGING YOUR DOOR BELL UNTIL SUNDAY, APRIL 14

Dedicating your life to be a missionary is a worthy calling and not one meant for just anyone.  Take, for example, the young enthusiastic Elder Price, brought to virtuous life by Luke Monday, who is ready and able to devote two years providing enlightenment to non-believers.  As an eager member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, better known as the Mormons, he can’t wait to preach his faith and convert others to his cause.

To come meet Elder Price and his cohorts, run to the Waterbury’s Palace Theater by Sunday, April 14 and follow his religious journey.  “The Book Mormon” has been written by the creators of the cartoon series “South Park,” Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, and is just as irreverent.  Elder Price is anxious to get out into the field and ring doorbells and initiate his converts.  He has studied hard and has his heart set on being sent to Orlando, in Florida, for his mission for God.  

Unfortunately for Elder Price, his destination is Uganda, in Africa, a destination without Mickey or Minnie Mouse, but a place with AIDS, poverty, famine and war.  To add to his disappointment, he is paired for his journey with a partner at the bottom of the food chain, the nerdy Elder Cunningham, who has never bothered to do his studying, his homework or even attempted to read the Book of Mormon, the religion’s Bible.

Jordan Matthew Brown’s Elder Cunningham, on the other hand, is thrilled to be attached Elder Price and clings to him as the new best friend he never had. The pair land in a strange land and immediately have their luggage stolen.  When they meet the team of missionaries who are already on site, who have not converted even one native to their cause, they realize the uphill battle they are facing.

Never fear. When they meet the lovely and hopeful native Nabulungi, a  helpful Kayla Pecchioni, a ray of sunshine enters their lives.  Obstacles crash around them and disasters fall in their path but the pair persevere.  With song and dance, they forge ahead and never give up the good fight, even when they are in danger of death.

For tickets ($39 and up), call the Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury at 203-346-2000 or online at www.palacetheater.org.  Last performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Come enjoy this  production that has been called “the best musical of the century” by New York Times critic Ben Brantley.