You’re sitting in the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. The lights dim. The smell of stale popcorn and expensive perfume wafts through the air. You look down at that yellow and black rectangle in your hands. It’s just a program, right? Honestly, if you think the Book of Mormon playbill is just a list of names and a place to find the nearest exit, you’re missing the point.
Broadway is expensive. Like, "I might need to skip rent this month" expensive. When you walk out of that theater after hearing "Hasa Diga Eebowai" for the first time, that little booklet becomes a physical manifestation of the $300 you just spent. It’s a totem. For some, it’s a retirement plan. For others, it’s a messy scrap of paper stuffed into a drawer with old batteries and takeout menus. But for the hardcore Broadway community, it’s a historical record of one of the most disruptive shows to ever hit the Great White Way.
The Weird Obsession with the Cover Art
Most shows change their artwork. They get bored. They want to "freshen up" the brand for the touring cast. But the Book of Mormon playbill has stayed remarkably consistent. You’ve got that iconic cartoon missionary—the white shirt, the tie, the wide-eyed optimism that is about to be crushed by the reality of northern Uganda.
Why hasn't it changed? Because Trey Parker and Matt Stone understand branding better than almost anyone in show business. The "South Park" aesthetic is baked into the DNA of the show. If you saw a high-definition, realistic photo of a missionary on the cover, it wouldn't feel right. It would feel like a different show. The cartoonish nature of the playbill prepares you for the satire. It’s a "it's okay to laugh" pass.
There are variations, though. If you’re lucky enough to have an opening night playbill from March 24, 2011, you’re holding a piece of history. Those have a special seal. They smell like success and 14 Tony nominations. People trade these online like they’re Pokémon cards.
The Cast List: Where Stars Are Born
Let's talk about the inserts. You know, those tiny slips of paper that flutter out like confetti when you open the book? Most people groan because it means the "famous" person isn't performing. But in The Book of Mormon, those slips of paper are often the first time anyone sees a future superstar.
Think back to the original cast. Josh Gad. Andrew Rannells. Nikki M. James. Rory O’Malley.
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If you have a Book of Mormon playbill from 2011, you have a document of the exact moment Josh Gad became the Josh Gad. Before he was Olaf, he was Elder Cunningham, sweating through his shirt and lying about Hobbits. When you look at the "Who's Who in the Cast" section of an old playbill, it’s like a time capsule. You see names that are now headlining their own sitcoms or winning Oscars.
What to Look for in the Credits
If you actually read the tiny print in the back—the stuff about the stage managers and the wardrobe assistants—you’ll see the sheer scale of the production. A show this tight doesn't happen by accident.
- The Orchestrations: Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. These guys took Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s melodies and turned them into a full-blown Broadway wall of sound.
- The Producers: Scott Rudin used to be a staple here. His departure from the industry changed how many shows are managed, but his name is etched into the early editions of these programs.
- The Ads: This is the best part. Look at the ads in a playbill from ten years ago. It’s all flip phones and shows that closed after three weeks. It’s a weirdly nostalgic experience.
Is My Book of Mormon Playbill Worth Money?
Kinda. Maybe. It depends.
If you’re looking at a standard, crumpled playbill from a Tuesday night performance in 2018, it’s worth about five cents. Maybe less. But there’s a massive secondary market for these things. Collectors look for specific "eras" of the show.
- The Pride Playbill: Every June, the standard yellow header turns into a rainbow. These are highly collectible. They represent a specific moment in time and the Broadway community’s support for LGBTQ+ rights.
- The Misprints: They happen. A name is spelled wrong. A page is upside down. Collectors love the "oops" moments.
- Signed Copies: This is where the real money is. If you stood at the stage door (the O’Neill stage door is notoriously cramped, by the way) and got the whole cast to sign it, the value jumps. A Josh Gad/Andrew Rannells dual-signed playbill can go for hundreds of dollars on eBay.
But here’s the thing: Playbills are printed on acidic paper. They yellow. They get brittle. If you’re "investing" in a Book of Mormon playbill, you’ve gotta treat it like a comic book. Get a sleeve. Keep it out of the sun. Don't let your cat chew on it.
The Cultural Shift and the 2021 Refresh
People forget that The Book of Mormon went through a bit of a crisis during the pandemic. In 2020, there was a lot of talk about whether the show was still "okay." A group of Black cast members wrote a letter to the creators asking for changes to some of the depictions of the Ugandan characters.
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When the show returned in 2021, the script had been tweaked. The Book of Mormon playbill didn't look different on the outside, but the show it represented had evolved. The satire became a bit more pointed toward the missionaries' ignorance rather than just mocking the village's plight.
If you compare a 2012 playbill to a 2024 playbill, the credits might look similar, but the show’s soul has shifted slightly. It’s a fascinating example of how a "permanent" piece of theater isn't actually permanent. It’s a living thing.
Why Do We Keep Them?
Honestly? It’s because theater is ephemeral. You can’t record a Broadway show (legally). You can’t take photos during the performance without getting tackled by an usher. Once the curtain falls, the show is gone. All you have is your memory and that Book of Mormon playbill.
It’s a physical receipt of an emotional experience. You hold it and remember the way your chest vibrated during "I Believe." You remember who you were with. Maybe you were on a first date. Maybe you were celebrating a promotion. Maybe you were just a theater nerd who saved up for six months to see the show.
Spotting a Fake (Yes, Really)
It sounds crazy, but people do fake these. Especially the "Pride" versions or the opening night ones. Look at the paper quality. Real Playbills are printed on a specific, slightly glossy stock. The ink shouldn't smudge if you run your thumb over it. If the yellow on the "Playbill" logo looks too bright or too "lemon," it might be a home-printed knockoff.
Also, check the date. The date is usually on the first page of the actual program, not the cover. If the cast listed doesn't match the date on the internal page, you've got a franken-playbill. Someone swapped the "insides" of a new show into the "cover" of an old one. It happens more than you’d think.
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What to Do with Your Collection
If you’ve got a stack of these things gathering dust, don't just toss them. There are better ways to handle your Book of Mormon playbill than a shoebox.
- Frame It: You can buy "Playbill frames" that are specifically sized for these programs. A wall of these looks incredible in a home office or a hallway.
- The Playbill Binder: Companies like Playbill actually sell binders with custom sleeves. It’s the "adult" way to keep your collection organized.
- Donate: Some theater schools or local drama departments love having these for reference or decor.
- Sell: If you have a rare one, check out "Broadway Buy/Sell/Trade" groups on Facebook. You’ll get a much better price there than on a general site like eBay because you’re dealing with experts who know the value of a specific replacement cast.
The reality is that The Book of Mormon is one of the longest-running hits in history. It has outlasted thousands of other shows. Its playbill is a symbol of a time when Broadway got a little bit dirtier, a little bit louder, and a lot funnier.
Whether you’re a casual tourist or a seasoned "stagedoor Johnny," that program is your connection to the show. Keep it. Or don't. But at least now you know why everyone else is so obsessed with it.
Next Steps for Collectors
If you want to verify the authenticity or history of your specific program, the best resource is the Playbill Vault. You can cross-reference your cast list with their historical database to see exactly who was on stage the night you were in the audience. If you're looking to buy a specific edition, avoid general marketplaces and stick to verified theater memorabilia dealers like Triton Gallery to ensure you aren't buying a reprint. For those looking to preserve their programs, ensure you use acid-free archival sleeves; standard plastic folders can actually leach the ink off the cover over several years. Keep your playbills stored in a cool, dry place, as the Eugene O'Neill's specific yellow ink is notoriously prone to fading in direct UV light.