ANSWER YOUR DOORBELL TODAY: “THE BOOK OF MORMON” IS CALLING

PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS OF AN EARLIER NATIONAL TOUR

The Mormons, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, are estimated to number 15 million people.   In upper New York state in the 1820’s, Joseph Smith had a vision of an angel and he saw buried books of golden plates.  Brigham Young continued Smith’s religious work and brought the new faith to Utah’s borders.  Now you are invited to learn a novel view of the religion when the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford offers up a donation plate featuring the famous and equally infamous “The Book of Mormon.”

The creators of the television cartoon series “South Park” claim the rights to this irreverent satire that has won 9 Tony Awards: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone.  Church services will be held from Tuesday, October 15 to Sunday, October 20 and the pews are sure to fill up quickly.

“The Book of Mormon” concerns a pair of young missionaries sent out from Utah to convert the world.  This is a door-to-door attempt to sell beliefs, similar to an Avon lady or a Fuller Brush man.  The goal is to bring enlightenment to the uninformed.  Their lucky assignment is Uganda, in the remote and dark regions of Africa.

Unhappily for eager to please Elder Kevin Price, he had his heart set on going to Orlando, Florida for his conversion work for his two year mission. He certainly didn’t plan on being partnered with the nerdy and nebbishy Elder Arnold Cunningham who never bothered to even learn the approved script or even to read the Book of Mormon, their sacred text.

The situation in Uganda is not welcoming.  The incongruous pair are quickly robbed and then learn that the villagers are so busy battling poverty, famine, war and AIDS they have little time for prayer meetings.

The team of two struggle to make a difference and have obstacles placed in their rocky path at every turn.  Their faith is tested repeatedly and yet, despite all odds, many miraculous things occur.  With song and dance and incredible stories, “The Book of Mormon” manages to amuse, astonish and entertain in heavenly ways.  Be forewarned the language is not always sweet and pure.

For tickets ($ and up), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford  at 203-987-5900 or online at www.bushnell.com. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., 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.

Answer your door bell to discover the messengers from God who are ready to offer you salvation, redemption and an angelic host of humor.