The second coming is here!
From the creative masterminds behind South Park, The Book of Mormon has returned to Melbourne after 9 years!
Winner of 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. With Music, Lyrics and Book by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez, The Book of Mormon opened at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre on Thursday the 12th of February 2026.
The tale follows two main characters; Elder Price (Sean Johnston) and Elder Cunningham (Nick Cox), as they graduate from their training to become missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Price is excited to venture out into the world, hoping for a dream location in Orlando and Elder Cunningham is just happy to be involved. Elder Price’s world is sent into a spin when the pair are assigned to a remote Ugandan village.
Upon their arrival, Price and Cunningham are mugged by a militia, controlled by the local warlord general (Augie Tchantcho), and are left with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. After meeting up with the local mission, they discover the village are too distracted by the rise and spread of HIV/AIDS, poverty and the growing threat from the local warlord to concern themselves with the church. Determined, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham set out to turn the tides with hilarious consequences.
The musical opens with one of my favourite numbers, ‘Hello’, introducing the Mormon culture that we all know too well. Yes, missionaries ringing your doorbell to preach the word of Christ. From the moment the spotlight hit cast lead Sean Johnston as Elder Price, the Princess Theatre erupted into cheers and applause and not a single bar had been sung. Then, slowly, one by one, fellow missionary ensemble members appear to further applause. Finally, Nick Cox as Elder Cunningham appears and again, the Melbourne audience erupts. ‘Hello’ is easily one of the best show openers I’ve experienced in theatre, and I was instantly transported back to the first time I saw this incredible musical.
Now, if you have never seen South Park, or know what kind of humour this show contains, then you might be a little taken aback by The Book of Mormon. The show is satirical and very crass in nature. I mean, the first time we are introduced to the Ugandan cast, it is through the hilarious number ‘Hasa Diga Eebowai’ that quite literally means “Fuck you, God”. I was bursting with laughter and remembered why I enjoyed this production so much the first time around, it doesn’t hold back!
Other musical numbers of note include ‘Turn It Off’ led by Ugandan missionary Elder McKinley portrayed by Tom Stuik who brings a hilarious camp version of the character to life. This number also has a fantastic tap sequence that quite literally sparkles on stage. Paris Leveque as Nabulungi has a wonderful solo number with ‘Sal Tlay Ka Siti’. And ‘Spooky Mormon Hell Dream’ at the top of Act II is ridiculously outlandish with an all-in dance number, complete with crazy costumes and insane dance moves.
Performance wise, The Book of Mormon is packed full of talent! The Ugandan ensemble is brilliant. Led by Simbarashe Matshe as Mafala Hatimbi, father to the aforementioned Nabulungi portrayed by Paris Leveque. We also have Book of Mormon alumni Augie Tchantcho reprising his role as The General and is just as great as he was the first time around. Mickey Nixon also stands out with some hilarious and questionable medical conditions that are met with a wide variety of squirms and laughter from the Melbourne audience.
The Mormon ensemble is equally as stellar as each other. Connor Banks Griffith, John Rex Berry, Oscar Bridges, Blake Douglas, Bayley John Edmends, Josh Hulheran and Liam Robertson each have their own unique personas that they bring to life in their respective ‘Elder’ roles. Robertson stood out with that insane smile he has the entire time. And of course, Tom Struik as lead missionary Elder McKinley shines in every number, and Matthew Hamilton as the Mission President is perfect as the authoritative figure. Not to mention some of the ensemble double as other characters, including some fantastic dresses and wigs as they take on a female presenting role. It was hilarious watching them flirt with the crowd in the front few rows.
Of course, we have our two main leads with Sean Johnston and Nick Cox as Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, respectively. Johnston’s portrayal sees Elder Price start out as a hopeful young missionary that is ready to take over the world. However, his passion is slowly beaten out of him, and Johnston’s display of this slow decline is impressive to see. Not to mention, the guy has some killer vocals and dance skills to match.
Then we have Nick Cox that is the ‘Yang’ to Johnston’s ‘Ying’. Cox’s portrayal of Elder Cunningham is a mix of pure nerd and golden retriever energy. His character doesn’t quite fit in and Cox’s awkwardness on stage is believable. Elder Cunningham doesn’t exactly know what he is doing and tends to make it up as he goes along and Cox’s delivery is so perfect that it was hard to tell if it was actually in the script, or he was also making it up as he went along.
Both leads have this duality that most productions would kill to have. It was an absolute pleasure to witness how Sean Johnston and Nick Cox bounced off each other during the show.
Lyrically, it does cross some lines that will leave you questioning if you should laugh or not. But at the same time, I believe that’s the whole point. It is so outlandish at times that the show highlights just how farcical the ideas of American Church culture can be. I mean, a third instalment to the Holy Bible that’s written by an American, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is currently experiencing its highest levels of convert baptisms since 1997. Crazy right?! Well, The Book of Mormon leans into this to create a hilarious, albeit sometimes crass, narrative.
Overall, The Book of Mormon is a hilarious thrill ride that left me with a sore face from smiling and laughing so hard. That said, it is a little dated and unless you are a fan of the sort of humour delivered by South Park, this production may fall a little flat for you.
In my books, The Book of Mormon is still up there as one of my favourite shows and one of the funniest musicals ever. The music, lyrics and type of humour is exactly the kind of weird shit that I enjoy!
Proudly produced in Australia by produced in Australia by Anne Garefino, Important Musicals and Suzanne Jones. The Book of Mormon is currently playing at the Princess Theatre until the 31st of May 2026.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://thebookofmormonmusical.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/BookOfMormonAUNZ
Photography by Grant Alexander.
