Fans of “South Park” and musical comedy in general will enjoy “The Book of Mormon,” according to a member of the show’s ensemble, a recent Penn State graduate.
Ronnie Spoto is part of the musical’s national tour, which stops in Scranton from Dec. 19-21. The five performances at the Scranton Cultural Center begin Friday at 7:30 p.m. and continue Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
The musical’s co-writers, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, created “South Park,” Comedy Central’s irreverent animated series about four boys who live in Colorado.
“The Book of Mormon” has run on Broadway since 2011. It toured successfully at the Cultural Center in 2015. Audience members may notice small changes made since then, intended to show the Africans proselytized by young American missionaries in a more active role.
Penn State University 2025 graduate Ronnie Spoto. (Courtesy of Broadway in Scranton)
Sam McLellan in “The Book of Mormon.” (Photo courtesy of Julieta Cervantes)
“Very little time goes by without a laugh,” Spoto said. “It will keep you laughing all night.”
Putting aside the explicit language, there are themes of friendship, love and acceptance, he said.
“It is an exceptionally written show,” Spoto said.
The earnest young Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionaries include one who hoped to be stationed in his favorite place, Orlando, Florida. Far from Disney World, the people he meets in Uganda are dealing with HIV/AIDS, poverty and a warlord, with references to child sexual abuse.
Children under 4 will not be admitted.
Spoto graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater in May and moved to New York City days later to begin rehearsal.
“It was a blessing to be able to sail right into this show,” he said. “That had been a dream of mine for a few years.”
He’ll have made his 100th appearance before the tour gets to Scranton.
He’s had roles at regional theaters across the country, including in “CATS,” “Frozen” and “The Wedding Singer.” This is his first national tour.
His Penn State productions included “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,” “Falsettos,” “Cabaret,” “Into the Woods” and “Brigadoon.”
Spoto said he came to Penn State from Florida for a small, rigorous musical theater program alongside football and big campus culture.
“Book of Mormon” won nine Tony Awards, including best musical. It is the 11th-longest running show on Broadway, with more than 5,000 performances, according to Playbill.
It has played in 13 countries, including a current production in London’s West End.
Tickets start at $66, plus online fees. Prices may change.
Tickets are sold online at broadwayinscranton.com and in person at the Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and prior to performances.
If you go
What: National touring production of “The Book of Mormon”
Where: Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton
When: Friday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 20, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 21, 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: Prices start at $66, plus online fees, and may change. Purchase at broadwayinscranton.com or in person at the Cultural Center.
Age restrictions: The show contains explicit language. Children under 4 will not be admitted.
Bag policy: Only wristlets or wallets up to 4″ x 6″ x 1″ or clear bags up to 12″ x 12″ x 6″ are permitted.
Website: scrantonculturalcenter.org