The creators of the acclaimed musical ‘The Book of Mormon,’ Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, recently gathered the original cast to commemorate the show’s extraordinary journey. The reunion took place during the 2026 Tony Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall on June 7.
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Performing at this prestigious event were Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, Nikki M. James, and the original ensemble cast, who delighted the audience with the Act One closer, “Man Up.” This performance marked a special occasion as it coincided with the musical’s ongoing celebration of its 15th anniversary since its Broadway debut.
Gad and Rannells, who received Tony nominations for their roles as Elder Price and Elder Cunningham respectively in 2011, were joined on stage by other prominent original cast members, including Rory O’Malley (Elder McKinley) and Michael Potts (Mafala Hatimbi). Nikki M. James had also made her mark in 2011 by winning a Tony for her portrayal of Nabulungi.
In their introduction to the performance, Parker, Stone, and Lopez took a moment to reflect on the show’s success. “Many years ago, the great Christian prophet Joseph Smith discovered the Book of Mormon written on golden plates,” Parker quipped, adding humorously that Smith had inadvertently discovered a Tony Award-winning musical. Stone joined in with a light-hearted comment about enhancing the original story, noting, “We’ve had an incredible 15-year run by taking Joseph’s work, adding some songs and making it slightly less racist.”
The original cast’s performance at the Tony Awards was just one of the many ways ‘The Book of Mormon’ has celebrated its 15 years on Broadway, which officially occurred on February 24. Throughout the year, the musical has hosted various events aimed at honouring its original cast and its significant impact on Broadway.
In addition to the Tony performance, ‘The Book of Mormon’ will be featuring a special event titled “Magical Mormon Mystery Week” from June 9 through June 14. During this week, past stars, including Gad, Rannells, James, and O’Malley, will return for guest appearances, joining Parker, Stone, and Lopez in the festivities.
However, just weeks before the anniversary event, uncertainty loomed over the continuity of the musical following a significant electrical fire at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. The May 4 incident caused considerable damage, particularly to the follow spot booth, resulting in the temporary suspension of performances.
Despite the disruptions, the theatre was reopened on May 27 after extensive repair work, allowing ‘The Book of Mormon’ to resume its place on stage. The theatre owners, ATG Entertainment, along with producers of the show, expressed their gratitude towards the Fire Department and the Department of Buildings for their assistance during the repair process.
Currently, ‘The Book of Mormon’ holds the status of the 10th longest-running musical in Broadway history and is the longest-running production in the century-long history of the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. Choreographed and directed by Casey Nicholaw and Parker, the show continues to reach audiences internationally, with successful productions in London’s West End and ongoing tours across the UK, Australia, and North America.
To coincide with the anniversary celebrations, a special edition of the original Broadway cast recording will be reissued on June 26. This edition will include a booklet featuring full lyrics, production photographs, and new commentary from Parker, Stone, and Lopez, alongside music supervisor Stephen Oremus discussing the production with David Pogue.
Tickets for ‘The Book of Mormon’ are currently available for purchase. The 2026 Tony Awards were simultaneously broadcast across the United States on CBS and Paramount+. The ongoing achievements of ‘The Book of Mormon’ highlight its place in theatre history, celebrating both its comedic brilliance and cultural significance.