'Book of Mormon,' Tony Danza's 'Honeymoon in Vegas' coming to Toronto

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Trey Parker, right, and Matt Stone, co-creators of the Broadway show "The Book of Mormon," pose for a portrait outside the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New York, March 16, 2011. “The Book of Mormon” - the smash Broadway musical from the creators of “South Park” - is coming to Toronto next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Victoria Will

TORONTO - The raunchy Broadway smash "The Book of Mormon" and a theatrical version of "Honeymoon in Vegas" starring Tony Danza are headed to Toronto.

The shows, part of Mirvish Productions' 2012-13 lineup, were unveiled Monday during a splashy presentation at a downtown theatre.

The brainchild of "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, "The Book of Mormon" has won nine Tony Awards and is one of the hardest tickets to score on Broadway.

"I am crazy for this show," said "Mormon" producer Anne Garefino, also an executive producer on "South Park" — the long-running cartoon about a group of foul-mouthed kids.

"It's like a rock concert every night in that theatre on Broadway and the chance to bring that around the country — and to Canada — is really exciting. The song, the story, the book — it's surprising and it's also sweet and endearing and offensive and all the things that I've come to love about working with Matt and Trey."

The show gently pokes fun at two Mormon missionaries who get more than they planned for when they travel to Uganda.

Co-written by "Avenue Q" co-creator Robert Lopez, it features the off-colour humour and salty language that its writers have become known for. Still, Garefino thinks more mature theatre-goers won't be deterred.

"We were worried in the beginning, people kept saying: 'Well, older people won't like it, the humour is too raunchy, the language is too bad.' And I kept saying: 'Give them a break ... they'll be fine. This is not going to be news to them,'" said Garefino.

"What we've discovered is that people from all ages come and they like it and they want to see it again and again."

"The Book of Mormon" is slated to run in Toronto in May and June of 2013.

Other shows announced Monday include the North American premiere of the Beatles musical "Backbeat," and the Canadian premieres of "La Cage Aux Folles" and "Sister Act."

The Mirvish season will also feature the stage musical "Flashdance," directed by acclaimed Toronto-raised choreographer Sergio Trujillo.

Younger theatre-goers, meanwhile, can look forward to Andrew Lloyd Webber's take on "The Wizard of Oz," which includes new songs mixed in with the classic tunes from the show.

"Who's the Boss?" star Danza was on hand Monday to offer up a sampling of the music of "Honeymoon in Vegas," based on the 1992 film about a reluctant groom starring Nicolas Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker and James Caan. The show will have its world premiere in Toronto.

Andrew Bergman — who directed and wrote the film and wrote the book for the musical — joked about how long it's taken to get the project onstage.

"As I was doing the movie, I realized this really is a musical," said the director, whose screen credits also include "Fletch," Blazing Saddles" and "Soapdish." "I truly believe it was worth the wait because I really think we have a hell of a show."

Danza, who will take on Caan's role, said he was bowled over by the music and lyrics, written by Jason Robert Brown ("Parade").

"I really think that this guy's written a score.... We haven't heard a score like this in a long time," said Danza, who has previously appeared onstage in "The Producers."

"I really think it's that good. I know this is kind of hyperbole, but I keep saying (not) since 'West Side Story.'

"It's a chance to play a part that was originated by my dear friend —and one of my mentors, really — Jimmy Caan. It's a chance to work with some incredible people."

"Honeymoon in Vegas" — which Danza said will co-star T.R. Knight of "Grey's Anatomy" fame — is set to hit Toronto in December, before it heads to Broadway.

Mirvish also announced the Toronto premiere of the new Canadian musical "Bloodless." Directed by Colm Wilkinson, it's based on the true story of the West Port murders.

Monday's presentation was aimed at Mirvish subscribers, who receive a discounted price when they commit to six shows. "Flashdance" and "Bloodless" are not part of that package but subscribers will get first dibs on tickets to those productions.