Mormons On Broadway

"The Book of Mormon” tops the Tony Award nominations. We talked with co-creator Robert Lopez and Mormons about the controversial show.

The Book of Mormon is the sacred text of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s also the title of the biggest show on Broadway right now.

It's the toast of the town. Rave reviews. And this week, showered with 14 Tony Award nominations — a huge number on the Broadway scale.

This is the big-time for a show that’s being called raunchy, sacrilegious, blasphemous — and ultimately, sweet. Even sweet on Mormons and religion.

This hour On Point: We’ll talk with Robert Lopez, one of the creators of the "Book of Mormon," and with Mormons about the show.
- Tom Ashbrook
Guests:

Robert Lopez, composer and lyricist. He is co-creator of "The Book of Mormon" and co-writer of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical  "Avenue Q."

Ben Brantley, chief theatre critic for The New York Times.  Read his review of "The Book of Mormon."

Jana Riess, author of "Mormonism for Dummies" and former religion book review editor for Publishers Weekly.  Her blog for Beliefnet is "Flunking Sainthood."  Read her review of "The Book of Mormon."

Graceann Bennett, managing partner and director of strategic planning at Ogilvy & Mather.

John Dehlin, creator of the “Mormon Stories” and “Mormon Matters” podcasts.  He served as a Latter-day Saints missionary in Guatemala.