You know that feeling when you're sitting in a quiet theater and someone says something so wildly inappropriate that the entire room gasps before erupting into a collective, slightly guilty belly laugh? That’s basically the vibe of The Book of Mormon San Jose experience.
It’s been over a decade since Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez unleashed this beast on Broadway. You’d think by now we’d all be desensitized to the "South Park" brand of humor, but somehow, seeing it performed in the pristine, 2,677-seat San Jose Center for the Performing Arts adds a layer of hilarious irony that never quite gets old.
What’s the deal with the 2026 San Jose run?
If you're looking to catch the chaos, mark your calendars. The tour is sliding into San Jose for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it weekend in March. Honestly, it’s a short stay, so if you’re a procrastinator, you’re probably going to end up paying double on the resale market.
The Schedule:
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- Friday, March 6, 2026: 7:30 PM (The "just finished work and need a drink" show)
- Saturday, March 7, 2026: 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
- Sunday, March 8, 2026: 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM
The venue at 255 Almaden Blvd is great for acoustics, but the parking? Kinda a nightmare if there’s a game at the SAP Center or another event downtown. Pro tip: Just take the VTA Light Rail or get there 45 minutes early so you aren't sprinting to your seat during "Hello!"
Why do people still care?
Some critics thought the show would feel dated by now. It hasn't. Why? Because underneath the jokes about "maggots in my scrotum" and the General Butt-F***ing Naked (yes, that is his name), the show actually has a heart. It’s a story about friendship and how we use stories—even ridiculous ones—to find hope in a messed-up world.
The plot follows Elder Price, the golden boy who dreams of a mission in Orlando, and Elder Cunningham, a socially awkward compulsive liar who has never actually read the Book of Mormon. They get sent to Uganda. It is... not Orlando.
The "I Believe" Factor
The show's breakout hit, "I Believe," is a masterclass in satire. It lists actual Mormon beliefs—like God living on a planet called Kolob or the Garden of Eden being in Jackson County, Missouri—alongside universal feelings of faith. It’s biting, but it’s done with such catchy, show-tune energy that you find yourself humming along to things you definitely didn't expect to be singing about on a Tuesday.
The San Jose Crowd vs. The Show
San Jose audiences are interesting. You’ve got the tech crowd, the old-school theater subscribers, and the students. Watching a high-level software engineer sit next to a grandmother while a character sings "Hasa Diga Eebowai" (don't Google the translation if you're easily offended) is part of the fun.
The show is rated for 18+ for a reason. Don't be that person who brings their seven-year-old because they saw "Mormon" in the title and thought it was a religious pageant. It is not. There is haze, there is loud swearing, and there is a very specific scene involving a "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" that features Hitler and Genghis Khan. You’ve been warned.
Getting Tickets Without Going Broke
Tickets for the March 2026 run started appearing on Broadway San Jose and Ticketmaster recently. Prices range wildly.
- Balcony seats: Usually start around $100–$120.
- Orchestra center: You’re looking at $250–$400 depending on the row.
Is it worth the splurge? Honestly, the Center for the Performing Arts is designed well enough that even the balcony has decent sightlines. But if you want to see the sweat on Elder Price's brow as he has a mental breakdown, you'll want the orchestra.
Real Talk: The Controversy
Is it offensive? Yeah, probably. To someone.
Interestingly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) handled the show’s fame with a pretty brilliant PR move. Instead of protesting, they bought ads in the playbills that said things like, "You've seen the play, now read the book." They realized that getting angry only gives Matt Stone and Trey Parker more ammunition.
The show satirizes the culture of the religion and the naivety of the missionaries, but it also paints the Ugandan villagers as the only ones with a grip on reality. It mocks the idea of Westerners "saving" Africa with stories they don't even understand themselves.
Navigating the Venue
Since you're heading to downtown San Jose, here’s the logistics breakdown:
- Security: They do bag checks. Don't bring your massive laptop bag if you can help it.
- Runtime: It’s about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There’s one 15-minute intermission. The line for the women’s bathroom is legendary, so move fast.
- Dining: Grab food at San Pedro Square Market before the show. It’s a 10-minute walk, but the vibe is way better than the theater snacks.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning to go, do these three things right now:
- Check the official Broadway San Jose site immediately for the March 6–8, 2026 dates. Avoid third-party "broker" sites unless the official ones are totally greyed out.
- Listen to the soundtrack. Seriously. If you can’t handle the lyrics to "Baptize Me" in your headphones, you definitely won't like it in a room full of strangers.
- Book a reservation at a nearby spot like The Grill on the Alley or Paesano if you're doing the Saturday evening show. Downtown San Jose gets packed on theater nights.
The Book of Mormon San Jose run is short, loud, and probably going to make you feel a little bit like a bad person for laughing so hard. That’s exactly why people keep coming back.