Possible changes to be made to Book of Mormon

Also interesting: "He [Matt Stone] also hinted he wanted to capture the stage show on film — to ensure 'a definitive record of intentions and context'."

The recent HBO Max show "The Flight Attendant" was almost ruined for me when one of the actors playing a pivotal role I recognized to be one of the writers of "Invisible Thread". Last summer he gave a video statement on how racist Diane Paulus was when directing HIS musical that took place in Uganda (and not a very good musical and somewhat untruthful one IMO).

Anyway, at the end of his diatribe he smirks to the camera and says (I may be paraphrasing) "Oh. And "The Book of Mormon" IS racist."

I'm usually the person who realizes I am not of the skin color to recognize when something is racist or not. But it seemed to me that something as satirical as BOM was beyond racism, as embracing-to-mock outre attitudes is what satire is about.

I am also someone who doesn't complain that much about wokeness, cancel culture and/or political correctness gone awry. I sorta think it's necessary (if a necessary evil) in this stage of our societal development.

But I do hope "The Book of Mormon", one of the great and brilliant musicals of this new century, remains noticeably unchanged.

I'm very glad they're doing this.

I mean, when the show was at the top and raking in the $$$, why was nothing said then? Afraid to get fired?

ACL2006 said: "I mean, when the show was at the top and raking in the $$$, why was nothing said then? Afraid to get fired?"



It opened in 2011, that's ten years ago and is now essentially another era. Humor and the way it's received has a very short shelf life.

Updated On: 3/14/21 at 10:44 PM

2011 was basically the last year this show could've opened (arguably, 2012, maybe). It's fine to adjust to sensibilities, and they have the time now to do it. The fact that there are at least two Black OBC members involved in this — including one who's been with the show off and on for the entire run and has thus been able to see closely the evolution of the humor both how it's performed and how it's received — is more than notable.

This is a huge stretch for changing the show cause it completely changes the plot, but I'd like to see a Book of Mormon alternate-universe version of the show where instead of going to Uganda, Price and Cunningham are sent to Orlando - but it's the "Orlando Project" part of Orlando outside of all the theme parks that Price has idolized since he was little. He can be disillusioned by that, and how even his greatest dream is tainted because of the suffering that he now knows lies immediately outside its borders, instead of by the stereotypical war generals and living in terror that isn't even a genuine reflection of Uganda in the 21st century. One of the issues that people have with the show is that you could set the "Uganda" parts in any part of the world and play up those stereotypes and the show wouldn't change at all - so instead of choosing a location based on its perceived "badness," choose one that drives the characters and the more enticing storyline in the show, which is Price's disillusionment with religion and fear of his own mortality. Comedy can be raunchy, it can be personal, but falling into racial and cultural stereotypes without specifically disavowing them is not only a terrible thing to do, it's just lazy writing.

I like the show a lot too! I will always cherish my memory of seeing the show during its first week of previews, and went on to see the original cast many times from standing room. And, honestly, I probably was part of the crowd defending the show against this sort of criticism back in 2011. I still think it's a very well-intentioned show with a lot to recommend in it. But my views have changed. And I think it's great that the views of those involved have, too.