History Characters / TheBookOfMormon

* {{Adorkable}}: There's something rather endearing about his utter adoration of Orlando and how devoutly he believes in the Book of Mormon.

* BreakTheHaughty: Pretty much his entire character arc consists of this. Price starts off thinking that he'll be the savior of not just his mission, but the entire Mormon faith and the whole human race. The harshness of life in Uganda and the ineffectiveness of his efforts quickly shows Price that he's hopelessly out of his league.

* CrisisOfFaith: He's suffering one by the end of Act II. Price has had to watch his faith get constantly tested since arriving in Uganda, watch Cunningham succeed where he failed, realize that he's not the savior he thinks he is, and his last ditch efforts to go into the General's camp with wholehearted faith get the Book of Mormon shoved up his ass for his troubles. After all that, Price simply can't understand what he's doing wrong, since he did everything he was taught to do back home and none of it is working. Whether or not Price has actually resolved it by the very end is unclear, but at least he's snapped out of the worst of it.

* MaybeEverAfter: Heavily implied with Nabulungi, particularly during "Baptize Me", but they never get an official RelationshipUpgrade.

* {{Adorkable}}: His innocence, enthusiasm, and genuine desire to be helpful and liked make him very much this.

* {{Adorkable}}: Most of her interactions with Elder Cunningham, particularly during "Baptize Me", are this.

* {{Adorkable}}: Has several moments across the play - his little pink suitcase at the end being a good example.

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* AccidentalMisnaming: One of the most prominent RunningGags is Elder Cunningham's inability to say her name correctly. She's addressed by different names each time he speaks to her, usually as a ShoutOut (such as '[[Disney/TheLionKing Nala]]', 'Music/NickiMinaj', or '[[Franchise/{{Batman}} NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-BATMAN]]') or using a funny word like 'Necrophilia'. The names get updated over time to reflect current memes ('Netflix-and-Chill') or to include regional jokes (for example, West End productions will have him call her Nigel Farage, a [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement controversial]] British politician).

* AssPull: InUniverse, he spends most of Act II doing this with his... alternative teachings of the Book of Mormon, though not without good reason. Cunningham decides that if the text itself isn't going to work, then he'll make it work by pulling from pop culture.
* BestFriend: Double subverted with Elder Price. Cunningham starts calling Price his best friend the moment they're paired up together for their mission, though Price clearly doesn't reciprocate. The end of Act I has Price drop a WhamLine that he feels like he's just stuck with Cunningham, which hurts his feelings. However, Cunningham's awkward but earnest desire to help eventually wins Price over by the end of the play.

* BigFun: He is usually either played by an overweight actor, or an actor who is costumed to appear fat. He's also rather lovable and funny.
* BreakTheCutie: More than once. First after being abandoned by Price, and then again after "Joseph Smith American Moses" when Nabulungi reproaches him for giving them false hope.
* CompulsiveLiar: By his own admission. He lies about things in the Book of Mormon to the Ugandans, lies about the text to Nabulungi, and lies about how bad he feels when Price accidentally hurts his feelings. However, Elder Cunningham is presented sympathetically because he has good reasons to lie about those things.

* DareToBeBadass: To himself during "Man Up", deciding that he can't run away from Uganda after seeing how bad things are.

* ToBeLawfulOrGood: The crux of his character development. Cunningham chooses to be "good" more often than not, which puts him at odds with the more "lawful" Price. Whereas Price tries to do everything by the book only to have everything blow up in his face, Cunningham bends the rules and gets things accomplished.

* WellDoneSonGuy: As he tells to Elder Price, Cunningham feels like his dad is constantly disappointed in him.

* {{Yarling}}: During "Man Up". However, it's exaggerated for the sake of comedy.

--> '''Mafala:'''Here's the butcher, he has AIDS; here's the teacher, she has AIDS; here's the doctor, he has AIDS; here's my daughter, she has AAAAAAA... wonderful disposition!

* AllThereInTheScript: Elders Schrader and Zelder are never actually named in the show, but have names in the script accompanying the two lines they each have. As for the others, their names are each only mentioned once, and in quick succession, making them very easy to miss.

Elder Kevin Price is the poster boy for Mormonism - he's idealistic, he's devoted, and now that he's nineteen, he's ready to go out on his mission and do something ''incredible''. Unfortunately, rather than his dream location of Orlando, he's sent to Uganda with a fellow missionary who's never actually read the holy book they're expected to preach. HilarityEnsues.

* TheAce: Initially described as "the smartest, best, most deserving Elder the Center has ever seen!" - though this quickly begins to fall apart upon arrival in Uganda.

* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: In "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" he claims to be worse than the likes of Genghis Khan, Jeffrey Dahmer, and ''Hitler'' because he left his mission companion. Hitler is ''scandalized''.

* BlackComedyRape: The above mentioned AssShove is this.
* BreakTheHaughty: Pretty much his entire character arc consists of this. Price starts off thinking that he'll be the savior of not just his mission, but the entire Mormon faith. The harshness of life in Uganda and the ineffectiveness of his efforts quickly shows Price that he's hopelessly out of his league.

* DrunkOnMilk: Or rather, coffee. After his HeroicBSOD, he's found in a coffee shop, downing multiple cups of the stuff. It ties into his CrisisOfFaith since Mormons aren't supposed to drink caffiene, and Price is chugging down a very caffeinated drink like it's the end of the world.

* InnocentlyInsensitive: His behavior isn't malicious, but he generally comes across as naive and narcissistic. This lasts until the end of the play, where he has a EurekaMoment about how to help the Ugandans.

* DrunkOnMilk: Or rather, coffee. After his HeroicBSOD, he's found in a coffee shop, downing multiple cups of the stuff. It ties into his CrisisOfFaith since Mormons aren't supposed to drink caffiene, and Price is chugging it down like it's the end of the world.

* CrisisOfFaith: He's suffering one by the end of Act II. Price has had to watch his faith get constantly tested since arriving in Uganda, watch Cunningham succeed where he failed, realize that he's not the savior he thinks he is, and his last ditch efforts to go into the General's camp with wholehearted faith get the Book of Mormon shoved up his ass for his troubles. Whether or not Price has actually resolved it by the very end is unclear, but at least he's snapped out of the worst of it.

* DarkReprise: Has one for "Hasa Diga Eebowai" at the end of Act II.
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Her song with Elder Cunningham about her baptism, "Baptize Me", is one long DoubleEntendre.

* [[NiceGuy Nice Girl]]: Has a 'wonderful disposition', as Mafala puts it.
* ShowWithinAShow: Her play, "Joseph Smith American Moses".

* ArmoredClosetGay: Almost all of "Turn It Off" is spent establishing him as this, though he's much nicer about it than most examples of this trope.
* BlackComedyAnimalCruelty: In the Swedish version of "Turn It Off", rather than crushing a box, [=McKinley=] encourages Price to "imagine that [his] brain is made of small, small cats/grab the cat that's gay and ''drown it''".
* CampGay: Buried under several layers of repression, but still clearly this.

* IncompatibleOrientation: Implied when he briefly recalls his crush on his childhood best friend.
* LargeHam: "Turn It Off" shows him to be this.

* WaistcoatOfStyle: A pink, sparkly one, as shown in his character image.

* ClusterFBomb: During "Hasa Diga Eebowai".

* MinorCharacterMajorSong: Leads "Hasa Diga Eebowai", the big establishing number for the setting, and then fades into the background to allow Nabulungi to take prominence.

* RageAgainstTheHeavens: "Hasa Diga Eebowai".

* NeverGotToSayGoodbye: Elder Thomas' sister died of cancer while he was on line to buy an [=iPhone=], her last words being "Where is my brother?"
* OnlyOneName: None of them have first names, though like [=McKinley=] some of them have been given unofficial names by the fans.
* StepfordSmiler: All of them in "Turn It Off".

* CrisisOfFaith: He's suffering one by the end of Act II. Whether or not he's actually resolved it by the very end is unclear, but at least he's snapped out of the worst of it.

* LawfulStupid: His conscience, appearing in the forms of the authority figures in his life, real and fictional, shows up during "Making Things Up Again" to chastise him for lying to prevent ''the rape of an infant.''

* NoIndoorVoice: Usually played this way.

* StepfordSmiler: He doesn't have any friends, and he frequently gets in trouble for lying.
* ToBeLawfulOrGood: The crux of his character development. Cunningham chooses to be "good" more often, which puts him at odds with the more "lawful" Price. Whereas Price tries to do everything by the book only to have everything blow up in his face, Cunningham bends the rules and gets things accomplished.

* WellDoneSonGuy:

Characters who appear in the musical ''The Book of Mormon''. Unmarked spoilers ahead.

* TheAce: Initially described as "the smartest, best, most deserving Elder the Center has ever seen!" - though this quickly begins to fall apart upon arrival in Uganda
* {{Adorkable}}: There's something rather endearing about his utter adoration of Orlando.
* AmbiguouslyGay: The extent of this varies depending on the production, but this is one interpretation of the character. Price has no canon love interest, and while he denies having gay thoughts to Elder [=McKinley=], the relationship between the two becomes increasingly suggestive in most productions as the cast members get increasingly aware of the popularity of the pairing. This is particularly evident in "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream", which has always featured [=McKinley=] as one of the demons tormenting Price; some productions have them make out. It's also worth noting that "Turn It Off" [[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/theater/theaterspecial/the-path-of-the-book-of-mormon-to-broadway.html was originally Price's song]], but this was changed due to fear that this would be too cliche.

* BreakTheHaughty: Pretty much his entire character arc consists of this. Price starts off thinking that he'll be the savior of not just his mission, but the entire Mormon faith. The harshness of life in Uganda quickly shows Price how out of his league he is.
* BrokenAce: Starts showing signs of this upon arrival in Uganda, and has fully set in by Act II.

* CrisisOfFaith: He's suffering one by the end of Act II. Whether or not he's actually resolved it by the very end is unclear, but at least he's been snapped out of the worst of it.

* DrunkOnMilk: Or rather, coffee. After his HeroicBSOD, he's found in a coffee shop, downing multiple cups of the stuff.
* FishOutOfWater: Quickly finds himself to be one in Uganda. Since he's never left home before, suddenly going to a third world country where things are terrible from day-to-day really gets to Price.
* TheFundamentalist: Deconstructed. Very much one at the start of the show, believing wholeheartedly in the Book of Mormon. This gradually wears off as things start going pear-shaped in Uganda. Then when he hits rock bottom during his HeroicBSOD, he admits that there were plenty of times when he questioned the Book of Mormon while studying it, but he pushed through anyway because he was told it was the only way he could achieve the happiness he had on his family vacation to Orlando.

* HeroicBSOD: After he fails to do even a single good thing for his church while watching Cunningham get converts by the dozens, Price is left with a CrisisOfFaith. Price snaps out of it after realizing that, for all of the "creative liberties" Cunningham has taken with the Book of Mormon, he's brought hope to the people of Uganda like they were sent there to do.

* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Cunningham by the end

* {{Manchild}}: Granted, he's barely a legal adult at 19 years old, but he shows shades of this in his obsession with Orlando, because of things like Disney World.

* NotWorthKilling: Implied to be how he makes it out of his confrontation with the General alive. He instead gets the Book of Mormon [[AssShove shoved up his ass]].

--> '''Price:''' You know what guys? Fuck him.

* ScrewThisImOutOfHere: At the end of Act I, he decides he's not going to go through with his mission and makes plans to get out of there. A nightmare changes his mind.
* SmallNameBigEgo: If it isn't clear by "You and Me (But Mostly Me)", it definitely is by "All-American Prophet". He gets over it.
* ToBeLawfulOrGood: The crux of his character development. Price chooses to be "lawful" more often, which puts him at odds with the more "good" Cunningham. Whereas Price tries to do everything by the book only to have everything blow up in his face, Cunningham bends the rules and gets things accomplished. This causes Price to have a CrisisOfFaith until he decides that his faith is strong enough to accept bending the rules if it means helping people.

* AcquiredSituationalNarcissism: He gets a bit of a swelled head after converting all of the Ugandans. Once they all put on a play showing the Elders and church leaders ''exactly'' what he taught them, he comes crashing back to earth.

* {{Applicability}}: In-universe. After realizing that the text on its own isn't doing enough to convert the Ugandans to Mormonism, he starts throwing in things to make it more applicable to them. While it may be a complete AssPull on Cunningham's part, his "teachings" still work.[[invoked]]
* AssPull: InUniverse, he spends most of Act II doing this with his... alternative teachings of the Book of Mormon, though not without good reason.
* BigDamnHeroes: In his and Price's confrontation the General at the end.

* EstablishingCharacterMoment: During the opening song, "Hello." He runs in after everyone else, and his "doorbell" sounds like a loud buzzer. Then comes his NoIndoorVoice introduction which shows he doesn't follow the script:

* FeigningIntelligence: He hasn't actually read a single word of the Book of Mormon. This allows him to take "creative liberties" with the text as a result.
* GeekPhysiques: Usually portrayed by a short overweight actor, or else is made to appear overweight.

* GoshDangItToHeck: As with all the Mormon characters, he refrains from swearing. When he finds out what "Hasa Diga Eebowai" means, he has a FreakOut.

* FishOutOfWater: Quickly finds himself to be one in Uganda. SInce he's never left home before, suddenly going to a third world country where things are terrible from day-to-day really gets to Price.

* NotWorthKilling: Implied to be how he makes it out of his confrontation with the General alive.

* FishOutOfWater: Quickly finds himself to be one in Uganda.

* TheFundamentalist: Very much one at the start of the show, believing wholeheartedly in the Book of Mormon. This gradually wears off as things start going pear-shaped in Uganda.

* {{Manchild}}: Shades of this in his obsession with Orlando, because of things like Disney World.

* PuppetKing: To his priests, arguably the BiggerBad, best shown when he briefly considers setting Abinadi free before the priests flatter him and strengthen his resolve to execute Abinadi.

* AmbiguouslyGay: The extent of the implications vary depending on the production, but this is a very popular interpretation of the character. He has no canon love interest, and while he denies having gay thoughts to Elder [=McKinley=], the relationship between the two has become increasingly suggestive in most productions as the cast members change and are increasingly aware of the popularity of the pairing. This is particularly evident in "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream", which has always featured [=McKinley=] as one of the demons tormenting Price, and in some productions has them make out. It's also worth noting that "Turn It Off" [[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/theater/theaterspecial/the-path-of-the-book-of-mormon-to-broadway.html was originally Price's song]], but this was changed due to fear that this would be too cliche.
* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: In "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" he claims to be worse than the likes of Genghis Khan, Jeffrey Dahmer, and ''Hitler'' because he left his mission companion. [[spoiler: Hitler is ''scandalized''.]]
* AssShove: On the recieving end of one from General Butt-Fucking Naked part way through Act II. With his own copy of the Book of Mormon, no less.

* CoolAndUnusualPunishment: During "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream", his idea of torture is being force-fed coffee (which Mormons aren't meant to drink) by a group of [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking demons, evil historical figures, and Elder [=McKinley=]]].

* DecoyProtagonist: Initially set up as the hero of the story with Cunningham as comic relief, he switches to more of a {{Deuteragonist}} role by Act II, and the musical ends with Cunningham as the hero and Price as his closest supporter.

* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Cunningham by the end.
* InnocentlyInsensitive: His behaviour isn't malicious, but generally comes across as naive at best and hopelessly narcissistic at worst until the end.
* ItsAllAboutMe: The entirety of "You and Me (But Mostly Me)" is spent establishing this trait.

* MyGreatestFailure: "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" reveals that up until the events of the show, stealing a maple glaze donut at the age of five and blaming his brother was this.

--> '''Price:''' You know what guys? Fuck. Him.

--> '''Jesus:''' You blamed your brother for eating the donut, and now you walk out on your mission companion? You're a ''dick''!

* EstablishingCharacterMoment: During the opening song, "Hello." He runs in after everyone else, and his "doorbell" sounds like a loud buzzer. Then comes his NoIndoorVoice introduction:

* GeekPhysiques: Usually portrayed by a short, overweight actor, or else is made to appear overweight.

* AbusiveParents: Elder Church has an abusive father.

* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: In "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" he claims to be worse than the likes of Genghis Khan, Jeffrey Dahmer, and ''Hitler'' because he left his mission companion. [[spoiler: Hitler is ''scandalised''.]]

* BreakTheHaughty: Pretty much his entire character arc consists of this

Elder Arnold Cunningham is an enthusiastic but childish young Mormon who's excited to go out and proselytize with his new "best friend"... even though he hasn't actually read the Book of Mormon. He also has a very active imagination - that is to say, he lies a lot. [[SarcasmMode This definitely won't cause any problems in the remote Ugandan village they've been assigned to.]]

* {{Adorkable}}: His innocence, enthusiasm, and genuine, earnest desire to be helpful and liked make him very much this.

* AssPull: InUniverse, he spends most of Act II doing this with his... alternative teachings, though not without good reason.

* IJustWantToHaveFriends: All he wants from the start of Act I. He gets it.
* IveHeardOfThatWhatIsIt: During "Two By Two"

* IWantSong: "Sal Tlay Ka Siti".

* WideEyedIdealist: Far more optimistic than the other Ugandans. This is broken at the end when she realises Cunningham lied to her, though it doesn't last.

--> '''[=McKinley=]:''' O M Gosh you guys, I am freaking out!

* TransparentCloset: He's about as subtle as a pink sparkly vest.

* TheFundamentalist: Very much one at the start of the show.

* WhatTheHellHero: On the receiving end of one from ''Jesus''.

* WideEyedIdealist: Starts the show as one. It doesn't last.

* BigFun: He is usually, though not always, either played by an overweight actor, or an actor who is costumed to appear fat. He's also rather lovable and funny.
* BreakTheCutie: More than once, first after being abandoned by Price, and then again after "Joseph Smith American Moses" when Nabulungi reproaches him for giving them false hope.
* CrossoverCosmology: Essentially what his version of Mormonism becomes, although with references to franchises like Franchise/StarWars rather than other religions.
* DareToBeBadass: To himself during "Man Up".

* EstablishingCharacterMoment:

* GeekPhysiques: Usually portrayed by a short, overweight actor, or else is made to appear overweight

* GoshDangItToHeck: As with all the Mormon characters.

* {{Yarling}}: During "Man Up".

* CrisisOfFaith: He's suffering one by the end of Act II. Whether or not he's actually resolved it by the very end is unclear.

* {{Manchild}}: Shades of this in his obsession with Orlando

* OpinionChangingDream: "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream"
* PrecisionFStrike: Gets a hugely satisfying one at the end

* RunningGag: His obsession with Orlando
* ScrewThisImOutOfHere: At the end of Act I.

* DrunkOnMilk: Or rather, coffee.

* HeroicWannabe: In "You and Me (But Mostly Me)". Quickly goes awry.

* DarkReprise: Has one for a section of "Two By Two" in the middle of "I Am Africa".

* AccidentalMisnaming: One of the most prominent RunningGags is Elder Cunningham's inability to say her name correctly. She's addressed by different names each time he speaks to her, usually as a ShoutOut (such as '[[Disney/TheLionKing Nala]]', 'Music/NickiMinaj', or '[[Franchise/{{Batman}} NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-BATMAN]]') or using a funny word like 'Necrophilia'. The names get updated over time to reflect current memes ('Netflix-and-Chill') or to include regional jokes (for example, West End productions will have him call her Nigel Farage, a [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement controversial]] British politician).

* IWantSong: "Sal Tlay Ka Siti"

* LastSecondWordSwap: During "Hasa Diga Eebowai"

* MinorCharacterMajorSong: "Turn It Off" is one of the show's most acclaimed songs, but after it's over his main role is to be the face of District 9 Elders and [[RunningGag be the source of a few more gay jokes.]]

Elder McKinley is the District Leader of District 9. He's just as friendly and enthusiastic as the other Mormon boys, but is more than a little disheartened by his District's lack of baptisms in the three months they've been in Uganda. [[BlatantLies He is most certainly not gay.]]