Could ‘Book of Mormon’ be coming to the Strip?

By Sarah Feldberg

Saturday, March 3, 2012 | 6 a.m.

My fingers are crossed. Toes, too.

See, I’ve been dying to see Book of Mormon, the musical from South Park’s Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q creator Robert Lopez, ever since I heard its hilarious, laugh-out-loud-while-singing-along soundtrack.

Then, after talk of the Smith Center bringing the Broadway show, a new possibility popped up on various Vegas blogs and among some of my local entertainment sources: the Palazzo.

There are lots of changes in the works for the entertainment venues at the Venetian and Palazzo. Jersey Boys recently departed the latter, and is scheduled to reopen at Paris Las Vegas on March 6. Blue Man Group is also moving house, heading south to the Monte Carlo this fall. And finally, Phantom—The Las Vegas Spectacular, the long-running production that opened at the Venetian in 2006, will see its last chandelier drop in September. For the Sands Corporation and BASE Entertainment, that leaves a lot of open seats and a lot of possibilities.

“We’ve got lots of stuff in negotiation and in the works,” BASE co-Chief Executive Officer Scott Zeiger said over the phone Friday morning. “The i’s aren’t dotted and the t’s aren’t crossed.”

The concept, however, is in place. “We are taking a look at a hybrid model,” Zeiger said, adding that the schedule will likely feature a mix of production shows and individual headliners.

And, while he wasn’t dropping any names, Zeiger assured me that BASE would soon be announcing a Broadway transfer. Perhaps something with religious undertones and a wicked sense of humor?

“I think Book of Mormon would do well in Vegas or anywhere else,” said Zeiger, who’s seen the show. “It’s spectacular. And, of course, it’s on my radar for Vegas.”