AveQ and South Park update

[idunno]

Posted: 6/26/04 at 8:18pm

On the thread

Avenue Q + South Park = ???
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=207407#207589

Margo>https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=207407#207589>https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=207407#207589

Margo had it right; it will be the Book of Mormon.


"Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez (composers of "Avenue Q") said tonight on NY1's on stage that they and Matt Stone and Trey Parker (creators of "South Park") are collaborating on a musical for Broadway."


The announcers of On Stage confirmed it today at the beginning of the show. Sorry about the new tread but I thought this note might get lost in the religion arguments.

[beacon1]

Posted: 6/26/04 at 8:39pm

Are you serious.

The Book of Mormon as a musical by that team?

I suppose its time to pack for Missouri... :o)

[broadwaybum]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 12:12am

It's about time that there is a satiricle look at the Moron religion on Broadway. It is such a "theatrical" based religion and there is a lot to theatricalize in the Book of Mormon. Can't wait to see how they take on the chapters on the afterlife...ET Phone Home. This sounds fun!

[beacon1]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 10:53am

To which chapters on the "afterlife" are you referring?
I'm LDS and quite familiar with the book. Is there a specific passage to which you are referring? You may PM me if you wish...but I'm not a debater. :o)

There is a "theatrical" presentation on the Book of Mormon performed every year in upstate New York in Palmyra NY (just east of Rochester.) Exit 43 off Interstate 90. In fact, I believe it begins next weekend.

It is performed on a hillside with stages sent into the hill. The cast, crew, directors, etc are all volunteers who act out scenes from the Book of Mormon against a recorded soundtrack which includes the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and orchestrations created by Crawford Gates.

It tells the story of Lehi and his family who flee Jerusalem just before the Bablylonian captivity (about 600 BC) and are led across the ocean to America. They bring with them their scriptures (the writings of Moses and the Prophets) and the knowledge of the promised Messiah. In their new land they eventually split into two primary groups. Those who uphold the teachings and follow the prophets the Lord calls to guide them in this new land...and those who doubt the traditions and history. The two groups fight and go through cycles of humility and pride.

Mormon is the name of the prophet/historian/military leader who was instructed by God to compile and abridge his people's history which included the record of the visit of the Resurrected Jesus Christ to the Americas where he organizes his followers as he did back in Israel. Around 420AD Mormon died because of battle wounds and his son Moroni buried the records which were engraved on gold plates. Moroni, as a resurrected being, is the one who appeared to Joseph Smith in 1823 and showed him where this record was hidden. Joseph was granted the gift and power to translate the records into English and the Book of Mormon was first published in 1830. It is called "Another Witness of Jesus Christ."

The "Hill Cumorah" Pageant gives a simple presentation of the events in the Book of Mormon. It is free to attend and there is free parking. Seating is on the lawn below the Hill and there are chairs provided. You can also bring lawnchairs, blankets, etc. Local organizations (like the Lions Club, the Rotary Club) have vending trucks which sell food prior to Pageant so you can picnic before the performance begins.

It begins at dusk. The costumes, the music, the special effects (including an incredible destruction scene at the time of Christ's crucifixtion in Jerusalem), and the breathtaking descent of Christ to visit the people in the Americas make for a wonderful evening.

So, if you want to see how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presents the Book of Mormon, just make a roadtrip up to Palmyra.

As for the Broadway musical,I can only imagine what that team will cook up. Oh well...there's no such thing as "bad" publicity!

Updated On: 6/27/04 at 10:53 AM

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 11:08am

Has anyone seen the moromon episode of SOUTH PARK? It shows how the book of mormon started with the original guy (Don't know is name so I will come up with one.....JOSEPH). Everytime they showed Joseph, a male chorus would go, "dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb dumb." And when his wife was talking about how he is just making this all up, the male chorus would go, "smart, smart, smart, smart, smart, smart." Pretty much the whole episode was showing that the book of mormon was made up. It was such a funny episode. I can only imagine what they can do with it for the broadway stage.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 11:15am

I cant wait for this show! I love both South Park and Ave Q. I can not even imagine how funny this show will be.

[beacon1]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 12:23pm

Good to know that you use South Park as your barometer for determining truth. Can we say "cartoon entertainment" ????

And I did see that episode & I have a Southpark mousepad.

By the way, I positively loved "Angels in America". I taped it, bought the playbook, and have the soundtrack...And I'm not from Utah. I am a convert of 25 years and I served a fulltime mission. I have a great sense of humor...and a sense of balance. Most of all, I understand that a cartoon and a musical do not have the power to derail the Church.

Just like each of us, the creators are free to do as they choose. Whatever results/impact comes from those choices will belong to them, too. Postive and negative. That's just how life works.

And you are free to buy tickets to their production just as I'm free to buy tickets to something else. That's my philosophy.

(And thanks, Craig, for keeping my previous post. I wanted to give background that might be helpful to other posters who want to make up their own minds. I appreciate it!)

Updated On: 6/27/04 at 12:23 PM

[Dawg]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 6:41pm

Wow! Beacon, I'm very impressed with your approach and your post. Very thorough and informative. I, personally have issues with parts of the Mormon church as I lost two friends who were former members. They committed suicide since they felt completely alone and disowned by their community and family. That's most of what I know of the Mormon religion. So your post was rather enlightening...I'm still a bit confused as to how the hatred and fear of different people and practices stemmed from that rather wonderful story, but I'm certain I can all find it in the piece of literature you refer to. Thanks again.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 8:15pm

I wasn't saying that I am basing my truth on the South Park episode (it is cartoon after all). I am just saying that it was really funny and it will be great to see what the South Park and Avenue Q people come up with.