Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s so fucking good, you should absolutely save up to go. The last Book of Mormon tour was one of the greatest theatrical experiences of my life. Yes, the show brilliantly lampoons Latter-day Saints using the church’s own text, but beyond that, it’s a densely hilarious indictment of the Great American Musical, with laughs and dazzlements coming at you so fast, your blood turns to Percocet… and oh my God, you just have to go. (Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, stgpresents.org, 1 and 6:30 pm, $45–$160, July 22:ndash;August 10)

David Schmader—former weed columnist and Stranger associate editor—is the author of the solo plays Straight and Letter to Axl, which he’s performed in Seattle and across the US. His latest...