The Book of Mormon Chicago company extends through June 2

Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad in the Broadway production of The Book of Mormon

Photo: Joan Marcus

In a move that surprises exactly no one, producers of the smash hit The Book of Mormon announced that the Tony-winning musical's dedicated Chicago company—separate from the national touring company that kicked off last week in Denver—will run much longer than the 12 weeks originally announced for the Bank of America Theatre.

The biting Broadway comedy by South Park honchos Matt Stone and Trey Parker and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez won nine Tony Awards at the end of the 2010–2011 season; that fall, producers said they would launch both a traditional national tour and a separate company in Chicago to run December 11, 2012–March 3, 2013. Today, Broadway in Chicago and The Book of Mormon producers say they're adding a new 13-week block of tickets in Chicago, through June 2. The new block will go on sale to the public at 10am, September 21. I doubt it'll be the last new block. Casting for the Chicago run has yet to be determined.