"Book Of Mormon" Musical Returns To Charm City

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's been dubbed the best musical of the century. "The Book of Mormon" is filled with faith and fun and it's at the Hippodrome for the second time.

Gigi Barnett has more on the provocative Broadway smash hit, which opens Wednesday.

From the start of the nine-time Tony award-winning musical, "The Book of Mormon" pokes fun at religion. The story follows two Mormon missionaries who travel to war-torn Uganda sharing their faith and making converts. But along the way, they go through a conversion themselves.

"You get a license to take a crazy pill for two and a half hours," said Cody Jamison Strand.

Strand plays Elder Cunningham, one of the missionaries. Candace Quarrels is Nabulungi, one of the Ugandan villagers the pair comes to save.

Created by the producers of "South Park," the musical has the same edgy and provocative feel---and it addresses some heavy issues like AIDS, war and Jesus in a light way.

"Nothing in this musical is not true. We're not poling fun. It's all very real and very honest," Quarrels said.

But with all its offense, the actors say the musical is meant to uplift. As a result, the cast and the Hippodrome say it's a show everyone should see. That's why they have a lottery for two of the best seats in the house.

"Two and a half hours before every show, you sign up," said Strand. "If your name gets drawn, you can get two tickets for $25."

Last year, "The Book of Mormon" made a record-breaking two week run in Baltimore.

The show ends on November 15.

After Baltimore, the show heads to Providence and then to Philadelphia over Thanksgiving.