'Book of Mormon' sees ticket demand surge, raises prices

Scoring tickets to Broadway's "The Book of Mormon" has been a challenge since the musical began performances in February. Now that the show has won nine Tony Awards, landing a seat for the comedy looks even more daunting.

Advance ticket sales for "Mormon" at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre have reached an estimated $20 million to $30 million, which means many performances are sold out weeks or months in advance. The day after the Tony Awards, producers hiked the price of tickets by $13 for an orchestra and front mezzanine seat, bringing the top non-premium ticket price to $155. (During holiday weekends, a non-premium ticket can go as high as $175.)

For those who have more disposable income at their fingertips, a premium ticket can cost you as much as $477, which gives you a seat in the center section of the orchestra or front-mezzanine sections, or on the aisles. 

Each day, a ticket lottery is held outside the Eugene O'Neill Theatre for a limited number of same-day seats. The lottery can draw hundreds of people per day, according to reports.

Broadway watchers have been comparing "Mormon" to "The Producers" and "The Lion King" in terms of popularity. All three musicals have been a success among critics and audiences.

So far, "Mormon" has brought in an estimated $14.9 million, not including advance sales.

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-- David Ng

Photo: People gather outside New York's Eugene O'Neill Theatre, where "The Book of Mormon" is playing. Credit: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times