Review - The Book of Mormon on Broadway

Is The Book of Mormon the funniest musical ever? Well, I've only been attending musicals for the past 33 years, so I can only speak from that experience. But I will say it's one of the most uproariously enjoyable shows I've ever seen, and certainly the most fun I've had in the theater since The Drowsy Chaperone.

Is The Book of Mormon better than Spamalot? No contest. Spamalot had its share of belly laughs, but it was rather lacking in the music and lyric departments.

Is The Book of Mormon better than The Producers? I genuinely think so. The Producers was fun, but somehow I got the feeling that other people were enjoying it a lot more than I was.

So, comparisons and superlatives aside, what makes The Book of Mormon so good? Well, you gotta start with the "South Park" pedigree. Few people in modern times could match Trey Parker and Matt Stone in both comedic and pop-cultural impact. But then you add in Robert Lopez, one of the award-winning creators of Avenue Q, a show that only seems to get better with age and repeat viewings. (Parker, Stone, and Lopez share the credit here for the book, lyrics, and music to The Book of Mormon.) And then, on top of that, you have co-director (with Parker) and choreographer Casey Nicholaw, himself no slouch when it comes to both comedy and lively staging. (See Spamalot and The Drowsy Chaperone above.)

Bringing in Lopez and Nicholaw may be the smartest thing Parker and Stone ever did. The duo have always had a raw sense of comedic bravado and a preternatural ability to shock, but their forays into musical theater have been spotty from a strictly qualitative perspective. Their first joint effort, Cannibal! The Musical, is a sporadically amusing curiosity at best. Their feature-length film "South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut" is sheer comedic genius, but the songs themselves are unsophisticated, albeit hysterical. The Book of Mormon gives us the best of both worlds: the manic, untamed "South Park" sensibility married to the melodic, lyrical, and theatrical polish of Lopez and Nicholaw.

It would be a shame to tip you off to any of the comedic set-pieces from the show, but I will say that Parker, Stone, and Lopez have a grand old time poking affectionate fun at everything from Disney to Rodgers and Hammerstein, and making barbed, topical references as diverse as repressed homosexuals, African warlords, HIV/AIDS, and female circumcision.

How does all that fit together into a cohesive show? Well, somehow the creators make it all work, and handily so. They are ably abetted by a top-notch cast of Broadway no-names, many of whom are unlikely to remain anonymous for long. Chief among these crack performers are Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad as a mismatched pair of Mormon missionaries who set out for Africa to spread the (arguably) good word.

Is The Book of Mormon offensive? Hell, yes, and thank the Angel Moroni for that. This may just be the most verbally profane musical ever to tread the Broadway boards. Make no mistake: the language in this show is beyond obscene. And I can't imagine that the folks at the Church of Latter Day Saints will be all that flattered at the way their religion is portrayed here. But, beyond the LDS skewering, the show is actually fairly respectful to people of faith. Much in the same way that the "South Park" movie had some surprisingly moral underpinnings, so too does The Book of Mormon have its own subversively wholesome message, for anyone broad-minded enough to listen.

Comments

[dave]

church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. People always leave out "Jesus Christ" for some reason

[-Rich]

May I just say this makes me depressed, knowing that this show is this good. Seeing as I don't see myself making it to New York to see it this year, because I live on the other side of the country and cant afford the trip, I am now concerned this show is too offensive to be put into a tour so I can see it. I heard it was offensive and hilarious, but not this offensive. Do you think it will eventually be put on tour???

[Jason]

Imagine The Kind of Reaction Mormons will get if any of them see this show

[Geoff]

I saw the show in previews and was completely amazed at how sweet it was at its core. I thought it would be tasteless and crass, but the writers have a genuine affection for their characters and what is being lampooned. They also clearly understand how musicals work and have struck an excellent balance between humor and sentiment.

In fact, one of the most attractive features of the piece is that it's a writer's showcase. The casting, sets, dancing, etc. are all first rate, but nothing overwhelms the story: quite the contrary, everything is in service to the story. And it's an original story to boot. I can't remember the last time I saw a new musical this well constructed.

@Jason: I predict Mormons will adore the show.

@Rich: I will be amazed if this show does not tour. It is compact and not overburdened with special effects, so it should be a cinch to move. I predict the sweet core of the show will outweigh the profane elements and audiences will flock to it, even in Utah.

[-Rich]

Well thats promising. Thanks for a response!

[Bill B.]

Don't worry, Dave - the show gets it very, very right.

[En.2]

I don't have anything against Mormons, I think they're lovely people.

[Chris]

@ Geoff: If the musical is as verbally profane as the reviewer says it is, I don't see how you can predict "Mormons will adore the show" when profanity is considered obscene and disrespectful to members of the Mormon faith, and is in direct opposition to that which they deem most sacred. On the contrary, since Mormons are taught that "foul language is both degrading and harmful to the spirit" and they should not let others influence them to use foul language, I don't see how any practicing Mormon could attend The Book of Mormon musical without being completely disgusted with it. Since Mormons believe in seeking after that which is virtuous and lovely, and not that which is profane and vulgar, I doubt many will attend.

[Loki_One]

I too hope that they put together a national touring company so that I can see it as well. I am in Florida, and fear that I will not make it to New York to see the production.

Having read many of the positive reviews, and seeing that tickets are hard to come by makes me want to see the production even more.

As far as the show being offensive, It should be viewed in context as entertainment. After all, if we can't laugh at ourselves, who can we laugh at?

[Sean]

I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I've been kind of curious about the play. I really don't feel the need to see it. I've done some research, listened to a couple songs and... I really don't like it. What I gather is, the basic message is,"Man, these people believe some wacky things, but they're nice people, I guess." I'd be cool with it if it was just laughing at our quirks, and the strange way we behave, but it attempts to skewer our beliefs. Every time they bring up the beliefs of the LDS Church, it's slightly skewed and the beliefs are played for laughs. The whole "Can't-you-take-a-joke?" concept is a bit shallow for a show like this. I won't begrudge you if you liked the play, but if you did, I suggest you read the real Book of Mormon. As always the book is much better. :)

[ccaggiano]

Sean, thanks for your level-headed response. People aren't always polite when it comes to talk of religion.

I think what stayed with me about BOM was the final message of the show: ultimately it doesn't matter who believes in what. What matters is that we use our beliefs to make the world a better place. I happen to think that's a message that transcends individual creeds.

[dave]

It is the funniest piece of religious satire I've ever seen.

[Mary Jane]

having read your excellent review and listened to the Book of Mormon soundtrack a gazzillion (no really!) times, I am so excited to hear that it is coming to London!

I couldn't afford a trip to Broadway to see the show, but as a die hard South Park and Parker and Stone fan, I have been champing at the bit to see this apparently hilarious satire! I hope it is as good and as relevant as it is on Broadway!

As soon as tickets are out I am ON THEM! (I hear it is near impossible to get tickets to the Broadway production!

Anyway, thanks for the review!

[Marc]

I’ve been obsessively listening to the cast recording of the Book of Mormon musical. It’s fantastic, and I’m dying to see the show.

[BeamStalk]

I get to see the show in Chicago in July. I am really looking forward to it. My Father-in-law, who is a music professor, saw it on Broadway and Chicago and said the Chicago version was better in his opinion.