![\"Penn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/STT-L-MORMON-1214-01.jpg\")
Penn State University 2025 graduate Ronnie Spoto. (Courtesy of Broadway in Scranton)\n
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Sam McLellan in \u201cThe Book of Mormon.\u201d (Photo courtesy of Julieta Cervantes)<\/p>\nFans of \u201cSouth Park\u201d and musical comedy in general will enjoy \u201cThe Book of Mormon,\u201d according to a member of the show\u2019s ensemble, a recent Penn State graduate.<\/p>\n
Ronnie Spoto is part of the musical\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The musical\u2019s co-writers, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, created \u201cSouth Park,\u201d Comedy Central\u2019s irreverent animated series about four boys who live in Colorado.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Penn State University 2025 graduate Ronnie Spoto. (Courtesy of Broadway in Scranton)
\nSam McLellan in \u201cThe Book of Mormon.\u201d (Photo courtesy of Julieta Cervantes)<\/p>\n
\u201cVery little time goes by without a laugh,\u201d Spoto said. \u201cIt will keep you laughing all night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Putting aside the explicit language, there are themes of friendship, love and acceptance, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is an exceptionally written show,\u201d Spoto said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Children under 4 will not be admitted.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a blessing to be able to sail right into this show,\u201d he said. \u201cThat had been a dream of mine for a few years.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll have made his 100th appearance before the tour gets to Scranton.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s had roles at regional theaters across the country, including in \u201cCATS,\u201d \u201cFrozen\u201d and \u201cThe Wedding Singer.\u201d This is his first national tour.<\/p>\n
His Penn State productions included \u201cSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,\u201d \u201cNatasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,\u201d \u201cFalsettos,\u201d \u201cCabaret,\u201d \u201cInto the Woods\u201d and \u201cBrigadoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spoto said he came to Penn State from Florida for a small, rigorous musical theater program alongside football and big campus culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cBook of Mormon\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
It has played in 13 countries, including a current production in London\u2019s West End.<\/p>\n
Tickets start at $66, plus online fees. Prices may change.<\/p>\n
Tickets are sold online at broadwayinscranton.com<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n If you go<\/p>\n What: National touring production of \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d<\/p>\n Where: Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Tickets: Prices start at $66, plus online fees, and may change. Purchase at broadwayinscranton.com<\/a> or in person at the Cultural Center.<\/p>\n Age restrictions:\u00a0The show contains explicit language. Children under 4 will not be admitted.<\/p>\n Bag policy: Only wristlets or wallets up to 4\u2033 x 6\u2033 x 1\u2033 or clear bags up to 12\u2033 x 12\u2033 x 6\u2033 are permitted.<\/p>\n