A fan of ‘The Book of Mormon’ lined up for the daily ticket lottery when the show returned to Denver in 2013.

What the runaway hit show’s creators owe to South Park, the Evergreen Players and legendary cannibal Alferd Packer

The Book of Mormon, written by Colorado natives Matt Stone and Trey Parker, follows two cheerfully naïve teens who set off on a mission to Africa, where they encounter social problems far greater than any one book could solve. Here’s a brief timeline of the show’s mutual love affair with Colorado:

1983: Trey Parker of Conifer plays a 14-year-old chorus boy in the Evergreen Players’ The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

1993: Parker and Matt Stone make a cult classic film called Cannibal! The Musical while attending CU Boulder.

“He was the kind of kid you never had to coax enthusiasm from. It was oozing out of him.” — Evergreen High music teacher Gary Sohrweid on Trey Parker.

1995: A Fox executive hires them to make an animated short as a video Christmas card, which results in the animated series South Park on Comedy Central.

1997: South Park, set in a Colorado mountain town, premieres on TV. It has since run for 21 seasons and more than 300 episodes.

The line to purchase tickets to ‘The Book of Mormon’ in its return to Denver in 2013.

2003: In South Park’s “All About Mormons” episode, a character says: “If you’re going to say things that have been proven wrong, like the first man and woman lived in Missouri and Native Americans came from Jerusalem, then you better be able to back it up.” This episode inspires The Book of Mormon for the stage.

 “Jesus hates you, this we know, for Jesus just told you so.” — from the song “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream.”

2011: The Book of Mormon opens on Broadway, breaking records and winning nine Tonys including Best Musical. It stars Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad.

“I actually don’t think the show is all that polarizing. The truth is, every religion is rooted in myths that are difficult to prove empirically.” — Trey Parker

2011: Denver is announced to host the first national tour, selling all 51,000 seats in five hours.

2012: A daily lottery attracts up to 300 participants for the 20 front-row tickets.

2013: The Book of Mormon returns to Denver for a second time. (Pictured: Lottery winner Stefin Woolever.)

“The whole thing has just been a crazy ride. But luckily we don’t think about it too much. It definitely hasn’t hurt us to be as free-thinking as we want to be.” — Trey Parker

2015: The show returns for a third time, breaking The Buell’s record for the highest weekly gross $1,993,690. Mormon star Gabe Gibbs sings at a Denver Broncos football game.

2017: The first non-English version of The Book of Mormon opens in Stockholm, Sweden

2018: The Book of Mormon returns for its fourth engagement, playing June 13 through July 1.

The Book of Mormon: Ticket information
Back by popular demand, The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical returns to Denver. This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word.

• National touring production
• Performances June 13-July 7
• Ellie Caulkins Opera House
• Tickets start at $25
• Call 303-893-4100 or BUY ONLINE
• Sales to groups of 10 or more click here
• Visit the official The Book of Mormon website at BookofMormonTheMusical.com
• Follow The Book of Mormon on Twitter and on Facebook
• Follow the DCPA on social media @DenverCenter and through the DCPA News Center

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter

Please be advised that the Denver Center for the Performing Arts – denvercenter.org – is the ONLY authorized ticket provider for The Book of Mormon in Denver. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party run the risk of overpaying, purchasing illegitimate tickets and should be aware that the DCPA is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance. Patrons found in violation of the DCPA Ticket Purchase and Sale Terms and Policies  may have all of their tickets canceled.

Recent NewsCenter coverage of The Book of Mormon:
The Book of Mormon lottery details announced for Denver
More, more Mormon: The Book of Mormon extended through July 7