When the "Book of Mormon" musical premiered in Utah

Why it mattered: Utah was on pins and needles to see how audiences would react to the show's skewering of the dominant local religion.

What happened: The audience erupted in cheers as the Capitol Theatre curtain rose opening night on a set showing the Salt Lake temple, which stands two blocks away.

• Gags like the dancing Starbucks cups in "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" got big laughs, as did the character Nabulungi's anthem to the faith's hometown — "a village in Ooh-Tah" that has "waterfalls and unicorns flying."

The other side: Some audience members walked out.

What was inside: A playbill ad placed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints read: "You've seen the play … Now read the book."

Catch up quick: The church placed similar ads as the show toured nationally, winning praise for its "savvy" response to the musical.

What they said: "What an epic evening," actor Billy Tighe posted on X after starring as Elder Price that night in 2015. "I've never experienced an audience so eager to share a laugh. Truly one of the most memorable nights of my life."

Previously in Old News

• A pyrrhic victory for environmentalism
• Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson: Sealed for eternity?
• Naked lady steals, crashes police cruiser
• Olympic scandal
• How and where Utahns have been struck by lightning