Funniest show right now - TBOM vs. Priscilla

Have seen both in the past week, so here's my thoughts: I saw Priscilla Friday, 3/18 and Book of Mormon last night (3/25). Maybe the order matters, but I thought Priscilla was howlingly funny and Mormon moderately so. Whenever the Ugandans are onstage, Mormon just lights up all over the place; and the Act 2 opening number was something I'd always wanted to see on Broadway (it didn't disappoint). BUT, Priscilla was so full of gleeful madness from beginning to end that it just gets my vote. Perhaps it's satire vs. silliness - or perhaps Priscilla is really satire in makeup and Mormon is the one that's truly silly, just not sure. All I know is that I howled all through Priscilla; it was like Tex Avery in drag.

Yeah, Mormon will sweep the Tonys (after all, so did Spamalot). But Best Actor in a Musical and Costumes belong to Tony Sheldon and the show. Guess I was in a different mood from the critics; I will say crowds for both nights were wonderful and enthusiastic, and that was way cool to be part of, if you'll pardon the preposition (or even if you won't).

So what are YOUR thoughts?

Updated On: 3/26/11 at 11:45 PM

It does seem to indicate that order is important; it's a tough call, admittedly.

Priscilla is just a delight. A roaring good time, I'd say. Mormon, on the other hand is just off the wall hilarious.

But they're two completely different shows, and styles of humor. They both succeed in their own rights as far as I'm concerned.

Another thing is expectations. I expected Mormon to be pretty phenomenal, and it was. I expected Priscilla to be a mediocre but fun jukebox show, and it turned out to be a lot more meaningful, a lot funnier, and a lot more enjoyable than I could've ever imagined.

Also, I think Mormon was engineered to get laughs. That's pretty much its sole purpose (and it succeeds greatly). Priscilla is a comedy, but it has more to it. So there are fewer funny moments, I think.

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I laughed a lot in both of the shows. But in Priscilla, I couldn't stop smiling during the entire performance. I enjoyed The Book of Mormon, but it just didn't exactly reach my expectations. I'd go see Priscilla again and again, on the contrary.

I can not even believe this is a serious question.

I thought PRISCILLA was a bland, pointless jukebox musical that took a giant shlt on an amazing film for the sole purpose of putting another boring jukebox musical onstage with no originality just to make a few bucks. It really boggles my mind that people are enjoying this show because the group I went with couldn't wait to get out of the Palace that night.

MORMON, however is a riot and hands down the best new musical of the past few seasons.

Wait, you're not actually suggesting that a comedy was written to get laughs...are you?

Well, it's hard to consider the question serious since we're dealing with comedies here.... but that doesn't make it less legit.

That were much more effective in it's far superior film.

Jordan, remind me to stay away from your friends. Sure, Priscilla is mindless and just fluff, but I honestly feel sorry for anyone sitting through and not "waiting to get out of the theatre" -- how sad for them they couldn't relax and enjoy it for what it is.

Sure it was meant to entertain and make a lot of money off the movie. If anyone saw the movie, what would you expect from the Broadway musical version? -- deep meaning? classy dialog? a score of new music? I'm curious why anyone who hates that type of show would go to it unless they had no idea what it was.

Updated On: 3/27/11 at 05:14 PM

OK, but clearly you have many, many more people to feel sorry for than I do!!!! Try not to get too depressed feeling sorry for the thousands who love this show every night. And I'll try not to get depressed feeling sorry for your friends who couldn't wait to get out of the theatre. Fair enough.