The Book of Mormon, New Musical from South Park & Avenue Q Team, Sets March 2011 Opening

The Book of Mormon, the previously announced musical collaboration between South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q composer and co-creator Robert Lopez, is officially headed for Broadway. Previews for this world premiere production are set to begin on February 24, 2011, at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, with opening night on March 24, choreographed by Casey Nicholaw and co-directed by Nicholaw and Parker. Casting and additional creative members will be announced at a later date.

In April, an initial announcement of a Broadway production of The Book of Mormon had Jason Moore of Avenue Q attached as co-director with Parker. The current announcement credits Parker, Lopez and Stone with the show’s book, music and lyrics but does not describe the plot. The New York Post had reported in April that The Book of Mormon centers on two young Mormon missionaries sent off to spread the word in a dangerous part of Uganda. Their tale is told alongside the story of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Latter-day Saints. The show has been in the news as far back as November 2008, when Cheyenne Jackson was quoted as saying he would play a missionary in a workshop of the piece.

Parker and Stone’s South Park recently aired its 200th episode after premiering on Comedy Central in 1997 and is the winner of four Emmy Awards. Parker and Hairspray composer Marc Shaiman were nominated for a 2000 Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Blame Canada” from the South Park feature film.

Lopez is co-creator, composer and lyricist of Avenue Q, which won 2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Score. After a six-year Broadway run, the show is currmently playing at off-Broadway’s New World Stages.

Casey Nicholaw is received Tony nominations for his direction and choreography of The Drowsy Chaperone and for his choreography of Spamalot. He will direct and choreograph the holiday premiere of the Broadway musical Elf and also helmed the Broadway productions of All About Me and To Be or Not to Be.

The Book of Mormon will be produced on Broadway by Scott Rudin and Anne Garefino.