RELIGION

Satirical Broadway musical 'The Book of Mormon' gets warm reception in heart of Mormonlandia

Associated Press
Published | Updated

People pose for photographs before entering the Capitol Theatre to see "The Book of Mormon" musical Tuesday, July 28, 2015, in Salt Lake City. The biting satirical musical that mocks Mormons has finally come to the heart of Mormonlandia, starting a sold-out, two-week run Tuesday at the Salt Lake City theater two blocks from the church's flagship temple and headquarters. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (The Associated Press)

Brittany Lueders, from left, Diane Orchard and Sue Carter pose for a photograph before entering the Capitol Theatre to see "The Book of Mormon" musical Tuesday, July 28, 2015, in Salt Lake City. The biting satirical musical that mocks Mormons has finally come to the heart of Mormonlandia, starting a sold-out, two-week run Tuesday at the Salt Lake City theater two blocks from the church's flagship temple and headquarters. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (The Associated Press)

People wait in line for a lottery drawing for tickets to the "The Book of Mormon" at the Capitol Theatre, Tuesday, July 28, 2015, in Salt Lake City. The satirical musical that mocks Mormons has finally come to Salt Lake City, starting a sold-out, two-week run Tuesday at a theater two blocks from the church's flagship temple and headquarters. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (The Associated Press)

The "Book of Mormon" is receiving a rousing reception in the musical's first-ever showing in the heart of Mormonlandia.

A sold out crowd in Salt Lake City cheered wildly when the show began Tuesday night with fictional Mormon missionaries singing in front of a backdrop of the Salt Lake City skyline and Mormon temple.

They laughed loudly as the jokes played out, many touching on Mormon lingo and culture that is intimately familiar in Utah, where two-thirds of residents belong to the church.

The biggest applause came during a scene when an African character sings, "Salt Lake City, the most perfect place on Earth."

The show's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone of "South Park" fame, told The Associated Press that bringing the show to Utah feels like validation and also brings the creative process full circle.