Last Updated on October 10, 2026 by George Pavlopoulos
I came back from The Book of Mormon on Broadway with just a few iPhone photos. Cameras are prohibited during the play: I have a photo of the theater, some street shots, and random impressions from before and after the show. But honestly, on nights like these, even the phone has to stay away because the experience is everything.
However, here I am sharing some thoughts about the famous play at the Eugene O’Neill Theater in New York. So here’s my experience watching The Book of Mormon on Broadway: why I chose it, what it feels like, and whether it deserves a spot on your New York trip as a first-time visitor (or even a returning one).
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My short answer: Is The Book of Mormon on Broadway worth it?
Yes, I’m happy that I saw The Book of Mormon in New York. The play is energetic, at times rude; it combines vitriolic wit and dark humor, and if I had to describe it in a couple of words, I’d say that while it is a musical comedy about Mormon missionaries, it extends its satire to religion as a whole.
This free-spirited contrast might sound very New York to you, and it probably is. In addition, it was exactly like the NBA game at Madison Square Garden: I structured my day around the event. During the day, I walked through Central Park, visited the Guggenheim, and navigated Manhattan’s grid, but at night I knew I had to be close to the famous Broadway theater. And this maximized the happiness of being in New York.
However, I want to be clear: I wouldn’t say that a Broadway play is something that every visitor must do. Tickets can be pricey (starting at $60–80 and climbing into the upper triple digits), and if you don’t have a genuine interest in theater, New York has tons of other options for your evening. Still, Broadway is a ritual in itself, and if you are curious to see a play, I think it is worth considering, if your budget allows.
The Book of Mormon ticked all these boxes for me, and the play was witty, sharp, and memorable.
Why I wanted to see a Broadway show in New York
On my first trip to New York, I prioritized an NBA game. Broadway didn’t work the first time, but I made it a priority the second. Somehow, lots of things in New York pre-exist the actual journey: you’ve seen the city in photos, in movies, you’ve heard talks about it, read about its politics, heard about it in podcasts. Eventually, Broadway becomes part of those cross-narratives, and on my second visit, I decided it was a must-do.
The theaters, the lights, and the crowds might sound too touristy or like a travel cliché, yet their energy sticks in your memory. Enhancing the trip to what I called, in my travelogue, “the city of all cities” meant that I should watch a play to glimpse something still local, but also something that pauses the city’s crazy rhythms.
Why I chose The Book of Mormon
I chose The Book of Mormon mainly because I wanted to see something funny and lively. The show follows two Mormon missionaries sent to Uganda, and, as I already wrote, its humor centers on religion.
However, that’s the main canvas but not the sole topic. I also perceived the play as a comment on innocence and cultural misunderstanding, but also on something that, to me as a European, looked strange yet valid: American optimism.
One thing worth noting is that the jokes aren’t polite. This matters a lot before booking. The Book of Mormon is rude and loud, satirical and direct, and sometimes a tad childish. Yes, the play contains explicit language, and its humor can feel offensive. That said, if you are sensitive to religious satire or uncomfortable jokes, this play probably isn’t for you.
For me, that was part of the attraction, and the theater stayed awake for the two and a half hours the show lasted.
Arriving at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre
The Book of Mormon plays at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on West 49th Street, in New York’s Theater District.
The area has a distinct atmosphere (which apparently feels totally New York). Restaurants fill up before showtime, people arrive from every direction, ushers move the queue with witty comments, and, as a non-American, you probably watched this ritual in the movies.
Before the play, I ate at the nearby Barking Dog in Hell’s Kitchen. It was friendly, easygoing, and very practical for a Broadway night. I’m writing down this comment because you shouldn’t make eating complicated on a night like this. I’d choose something decent nearby, eat without stress, and queue early for the play.
Outside the Eugene O’Neill Theater, the mood was already energetic, and most theatergoers were likely already aware of what they were about to watch.
What The Book of Mormon feels like
This is a show that moves at a fast pace. The dialogue is sharp, and you really have to remain energetic to follow everything. Despite the uncomfortable theater seats, if you set yourself in the mood for a fast-paced show, you’ll likely forget the tight seating.
From the first scenes, you will already realize what kind of evening you’re in for. The songs are funny and catchy, the performances are great, and the humor always sneaks into the show; you can expect to burst into laughter dozens of times, actually.
One thing that impressed me is how controlled the on-the-scene chaos remains. The acting is high-quality, and even when the play becomes silly or ridiculous, the actors remain serious and committed to their work. That’s a balance that’s hard to find in plays similar to The Book of Mormon.
The audience participated already from the first moments. It takes one funny line to make people laugh out loud, and that repeats throughout the play. The fatter the joke, the more immediate the reaction, of course, but there are also nuanced comments that might go unnoticed in the first place.
As cliché as it might sound, The Book of Mormon is also shaped, as a play, by the reactions of the people around. Laughter is a big part of the play for sure.
Is The Book of Mormon too offensive?
It depends on how you perceive it, but yes, The Book of Mormon can feel offensive at times. You see, religion is comedic material in the play, and there’s no caution about how the jokes are delivered. Apart from religion, the play also uses stereotypes, crude jokes, and, as I already mentioned, very dark humor at times.
There seems to be a fine balance between cleverness and absurdity, and some of them might hit like a hammer for the more religious part of the audience. I didn’t feel shocked, but that doesn’t mean I can’t understand why someone might.
In general, I’d say that’s the main thing you need to know before booking a ticket for The Book of Mormon. It’s a provocative play, and as such, it requires you to be open to the topics I addressed above. This isn’t your classic, elegant, or emotional Broadway musical. Therefore, if this doesn’t sound like fun to you, it probably won’t be if you attend. And you should keep this in mind also if you are traveling with children.
For me, it was a well-deserved Broadway night, and The Book of Mormon delivered what it promises after all these years on stage: a fast, rude, and lively musical comedy.
Is Broadway worth it on a first trip to New York?
Broadway fits fine into a first trip to New York when you have enough days in town. However, as with the NBA game, you shouldn’t schedule it on a very exhausting day or if you have only a few days in NYC.
A Broadway play can easily run more than two and a half hours, including intermission, so plan your Broadway night accordingly. You don’t want to arrive at the theater dead tired or starving. So take it easy: don’t rush around the city all day, have dinner nearby, and enjoy a show that demands your full attention. The Book of Mormon is such a theater case.
And what is also important is to keep an eye on your budget. Broadway tickets are usually steep, and this will probably be one of your most expensive activities in New York.
If you ask me, as someone who adores New York, I believe that a visit to the city would be incomplete without it. And to be honest, leaving the theater at night with Midtown illuminated and thousands of people around me made the experience even more special.
Practical tips for seeing The Book of Mormon in New York
Here are some practical tips for seeing The Book of Mormon in New York. That’s pretty much what I did the day I saw the play, and since it worked well for me, I wanted to share it with you.
- Arrive early to the theater. I’d say at least 30 minutes before the play, because the queue can be long and they check bags.
- Shoot photos outside the theater, or inside before the play. Photography isn’t allowed during the play, and it’s not the place to take photos anyway. A couple of photos before or after the show are okay, but still avoid overdoing it.
- Evaluate if this is the right show for you. The Book of Mormon contains explicit language and offensive humor. If that’s not suitable for you, it’s better to choose another play.
- Eat somewhere nearby. To avoid losing time or rushing to the theater, choose a nearby place to eat. Barking Dog worked well for me, but Hell’s Kitchen has tons of options.
- Don’t plan anything immediately before or, especially, straight after the show. The Book of Mormon lasts two and a half hours, and, to be honest, I think the best thing after the theater is a nice walk into the city and back to its fascinating life.
Final thoughts about The Book of Mormon
As you already noticed, I don’t have hundreds of photos from that Broadway theater night. I only have a few iPhone images from outside and inside, and that’s pretty much it. And that’s okay, because as I described in this article, the important thing for me was to be on Broadway, enjoy The Book of Mormon, and have something to remember.
The old-fashioned theater, the uncomfortable seats, the laughter and the witty songs, all these are now paired in my memory with the walk back to the city. I’d say The Book of Mormon on Broadway offered a unique New York memory, one that lingers longer than the show’s run.
And for that, I made a promise to myself: if I ever return to New York, I’ll make sure to watch another Broadway play.
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