BACKSTORY

The Book of Mormon

Devised by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, the musical reimagining of the Mormon missionary won nine Tonys.

Lady Gaga
With an estimated 90 million singles sold, “The Ga” has transcended the niche-ified download era. President Obama opened for her at a 2009 fundraiser

CONTROVERSY

M Stone and Parker once censored South Park after deciding that showing the Prophet Muhammad would be ... unwise. But the musical has drawn only sly official criticism: the church placed ads in its playbills that stated, “The book is always better.”  

G A 2010 video showed her sucking on rosary beads in a latex nun costume. “She has now become the new poster girl for American decadence and Catholic bashing,” thundered Bill Donohue of the Catholic League. Meow!

MUSIC  

M “A diabolically melodic ... blend of Monty Python and Rodgers and Hammerstein” (Rolling Stone)

G “I don’t really make records for people to listen and go, ‘Wow, she’s a genius.’ I’d really like for you to order another drink, maybe kiss the person who you came with that evening.” (Lady Gaga)

STYLE INSPIRATION  

M The Missionary Handbook, or “White Bible,” which prescribes the wardrobe of the church’s representatives

G Madonna + extraterrest-rials we’ve yet to meet

The Book of Mormon runs Jan 1–6 at Keller Auditorium

Lady Gaga plays Jan 15 at the Rose Garden