Avenue Q + South Park = ???

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 10:19pm

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. Stone and Parker apparently came to see "Avenue Q," enjoyed it and the four of them went out for drinks. In the course of their conversation, it turned out that each pair had separately come up with an idea for a show about "a particular religious text." They've all now decided to work on this show together as a musical for Broadway.

Marx and Lopez wouldn't specify which text, but did state in a round about way that it wasn't the Bible ("similar, but no" is what Marx said when asked). Given Stone and Parker once wrote, directed and starred in a film called "Orgazmo" about a naive young Mormon who ends up in the adult film industry, I'm thinking perhaps the show will have something to do with the Book of Morman, but that's just a guess. Sounds very interesting......

Updated On: 6/21/04 at 10:19 PM

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 10:22pm

Wow. This should be VERY interesting. I can't wait until more information if found on this. This sounds very...different, yet cool.

[POLisPOL]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 10:35pm

It could be great... but I want more Marc shaiman + Parker + Stone!!!!

[iRuvJTart]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 11:03pm

i'm having an orgazmo thinking about this musical. south park bigger better and uncut is one of my all time favorite animated musicals.

[ifagirlisntpretty]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 11:10pm

That was going to be my guess as well!

MargoChanning--i bet we're on to something.

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 11:18pm

well, this board happens to have a Mormon that posts here regularly, and though im pretty laid back about making fun of the church, much more than other members, i do not support this.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 11:22pm

Yea! This is a very exciting collaboration!!

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 11:24pm

i suppose though that this is inevitable. There aren't many codes of conduct that are adhered to in this society more strongly that that of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

[Corine2]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 11:26pm

I loved that interview. I hope they bring Kermit Prince Of Denmark to Broadway next. The religion play sounds interesting.
I will go to anything that Jeff Marx works on.

Happy that they are doing so well. They deserve it.
Avenue Q is so much fun. Updated On: 6/21/04 at 11:26 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 11:30pm

Well, we're not even sure it's the Book of Mormon they're working on at this point since Marx and Lopez declined to name the text. For all we know, the four of them are doing a show about the Koran. And whatever it is they're doing, you cannot possibly judge the show until the project is completed which probably won't be for at least a year or two.

Updated On: 6/22/04 at 11:30 PM

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 6/21/04 at 11:55pm

Could be the Torah. I mean that's "similar, but no"

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:14am

All right, I think I’ve collected my thoughts and would like to give I think my first totally serious response.

You don’t seriously believe that it’s the Koran they are talking about. For one thing, with everything going on, nobody would support it. For another, Mormon movies are apparently a trend in NY. For another, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is an American religion. For another, due to missionary efforts, a lot more people know a little about the Book of Mormon than about the Koran. And like I said before, people love to see strict moral codes broken. The Book of Mormon is also much like the Bible. More like it than the Koran. There is little question in my mind, and there is no need to placate me.

I would like to appeal to you all for a lack of support for this particular project. There is so much going on here more than poking fun at an aspect of society.

I wish I could be a better example of my belief structure. My posts have been sarcastic, (clever once in a while) and rude sometimes. They have also been racist, bigoted, and self-righteous, but I wrote those ones under the guise that everyone understood I was not serious. I have also challenged other poster’s ideas. Please believe me that I do not want to criticize others for their beliefs, only that I enjoy debate with a serious topic and worthy opponents.

This church does not ask for pronounced support from anybody. It does not get government money, and it does not pay its patrons. It only asks a quiet respect and understanding from those of other beliefs.

This idea is not a new one. I am told from a Mormon Missionary currently serving in New York that it’s a new trend to make films about Mormons going crazy, including Orgazmo. He told me that there are more than one out about Mormon Missionaries that have turned gay during their mission.

I am fairly confident that this idea will receive support, given the accomplishments of these four men. And I have no doubt that this will not be complimentary. It will be badly insulting and extremely crass. And if these names cause it further fame, it could be badly damaging. This church holds many beliefs that are easily twisted to come up with some highly entertaining stories. I myself, (once again under the guise that everyone knew I was not serious) found it a particularly ample subject for jokes because of what the church represents.

Within a few months I will be embarking on a two year mission, interrupting schooling and spending every dime I have on this cause.

So you can understand why I post this.

I will be preaching a church that, amongst quite a few quirks, promotes families, happy homes, loving your neighbor, education, honesty in all dealings, support for the country, etc etc.

I’m not asking you all to drop everything and join, but to respect what we stand for.

Let me change this around a little bit to reflect a cause that most of you support.
Imagine they did a show that attacked homosexuality. In such a way that would stir up everyone who saw it because you knew that this show was the only exposition to your stance that some of them would ever get.

Now, imagine that by the nature of being gay, you will not protest, you will not appeal for support. The only defense you have is quiet reasoning with those who will listen.

This is not harmless fun. I have seen the ignorant (and I know that none of you support ignorance) antagonism even here in San Antonio stirred up by media representation of our church.

Please believe that I do not get upset and preachy any time anyone says anything about my church. I recognize very much the importance of being open to judgment by third parties, and to criticism. I know mistakes have been made by everyone, inside and outside the church.

And I do believe that this would be a mistake.

I only ask that this team has a serious discussion with a representative from our church before they start on this project. My question to you all would be that is there anything wrong with that? Would it not be totally fair to have representation from both sides before this is produced?

Updated On: 6/22/04 at 01:14 AM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:21am

So, it's ok for you to be politically incorrect for humor, but not when it's turned back on you?

There are many films and plays/musicals that are equal opportunity offenders. The Producers comes to mind. South Park. Avenue Q. Dogma. Saved. In the same way that you have satirized things for humor, these men might do the same. You can't have a double standard. IF this is the religion they are choosing to have fun with, I doubt that it will be in a hateful way. Artistically, it is an exciting collaboration--regardless of what they write about.

There are many Mormons who have realized they are gay--why is this an "issue"? Those movies are made to tell that story, not to attack your religion.

"Now, imagine that by the nature of being gay, you will not protest, you will not appeal for support. The only defense you have is quiet reasoning with those who will listen."

What DOES this paragraph mean?

I am an artist first, a gay man second. I will fight for gay equality, but I will never censor art. Perfect example: I am very supportive of Eminem's work.

Updated On: 6/22/04 at 01:21 AM

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:29am

if you go back and read my post, i never poke fun at something unless its fairly clear that i really do not hold the opinion that i just made. I go over-the-top so that it is clear. I do not think gay people are going to hell. I do not hate black people.

Saved causes feelings of antagonism toward christian. Producers is tottally goofy and farical and does not. You cannot group them together. I have explored some of these types of play. They are designed to cause antagonism.

But do you think that it would be fair to have a disscussion with and authority from our church before such a project is advanced?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:33am

Saved makes fun of jerk Christians--not all Christians. That film (like Dogma) did more for my faith than ever before. It IS over the top. South Park and Avenue Q are over the top--how do you really think you are different? So, I most certainly do group them together.

I think it's up to them if they want to meet with a member of your church, but not a requirement. They have the right to create this piece any way they choose to--and they do not need anyone's approval. You can not create art trying to please people.

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:33am

I understand attacking it in an artsy way. I do not object to censoring art. There is art that i do not wish to see, and there for i will censor myself from it, but i do not censor myself in ignorance.

Thats beside the point. the point is that not everybody is an artist. You are and i am, but many people will not take it as a different view on things, but a be subject to the antagonism that it will cause.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:37am

You underestimate people. Especially people who go to the theatre. You underestimate these writers and their creative team--before any confirmation of said project even exists! Despite that the issue still stands as a valid argument. However, agendas have to be checked at the door.

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:39am

"Now, imagine that by the nature of being gay, you will not protest, you will not appeal for support. The only defense you have is quiet reasoning with those who will listen."


never mind. it was part of a larger issue that i cut down for irrevelence.


Not from what I've read. go look on the off-tpoic board where they talk about saved. They make no distinction between jerk christians and regular christians.

I didn't say that such a meeting is a requirment, I just asked if it would be fair.

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:40am

Ok, lets just have the assumption that this is the intended plot, for the sake of argument.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:40am

They don't have to be fair. They just have to create.

I'M telling you what Saved is. So there! :)

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:45am

Have you ever seen John Stossel? I think the guy is brilliant. But he only ever does one side of a given issue. In the back of my mind im thinking, theres got to be another side of this...

But i dont think theres a single person that can watch one of his specials and not walk away thinking, "those jerks! how dare they do that?"


its the same thing. My point is that is would be very damaging and we have done nothing to warrent such antagonism. Youve seen avenue Q. do you think for a second that they would hold back?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:47am

you do not even know if it will be one sided. you are just jumping to conclusions. how about we wait until the show opens to continue this?? you are acting like people did over The Last Temptation of Christ and The Passion of the Christ--condemning something you have never seen and are likely wrong about.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:48am

The next one to post is a closeted homosexual

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:51am

Thank you matt, that was very clever

i highly doubt it.

Be honest. Given the work of these men so far, what would posses them not to give the church a bad rap?

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/22/04 at 1:54am

I was only kidding with you, Bob. We all know you burst out of that closet years ago!