Saw the final dress of Book of Mormon tonight- Page 3

[massofmen]

Posted: 2/25/11 at 7:42pm

you are right...so sorry. Again those are GROSS generalizations but still true. I would venture to say that about 75% of people over the age of 65 are religious (in this country) 10% are spiritual and 15% don't care...of course i have NOTHING to back this up but it seems like a pretty good guess. I mean 85% of people call themselves religious so i am probably pretty close.

again, i hope the show runs forever, but it cannot tour, so it won't win the tony, and which presenter would buy it? regional theaters? Maybe like 5 in the country would do this. I think it would have been amazing off bway and could have run for years...i just am trying to see how its gonna sell and I cannot figure it out..group sales? forget it.

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/27/11 at 5:26am

I came in with high expectations, perhaps erroneous ones. Never having seen "South Park," all I knew was the rep the show's creators had of being outrageous, cutting edge, erc. That's what I came to this musical expecting. Surprisingly, I felt that not only was it not cutting edge, there was no edge at all. Despite all the obscenities and glib references to horrible things, it is not satirical, it doesn't examine its subject in any sharp or insightful way. It's soft at its core, using junior high naughtiness and silliness as a substitute for something witty and incisive.



The humor is the sort of foolish kind used by Mel brooks, or "Spamalot," except not nearly as funny. There may have been a half dozen good laughs. A horrible dream production number seemed in the spirit of "Springtime for Hitler." It was neither funny nor good. Another terrible number recounts a tale à la the Uncle
Tom ballet in "The King and I." It was ghastly. Both of these numbers should be cut, and soon.

The music was cheerful, a cut above pop generic, the lyrics ok. No song was memorable, however.

The acting, staging, and design were all good.

Overall, I would call it so-so, but definitely disappointing.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/27/11 at 1:41pm

Dissenting view on Theater Buff's blog:

http://thetheaterbuff.typepad.com/the-theater-buff/2011/02/what-would-cheyenne-jackson-do.html

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 4:25pm

My 2 friends & I saw the show last night and loved it. I haven't laughed this much at a show in quite some time. The show is very clean for only their 5th preview. I will agree with some people and say the only number that should be changed/didn't work was the "hell dream", otherwise the show is in very good shape and should do well.

The entire audience seemed to love it and I feel word of mouth will really help this show take off. It's definitly something different and they, of course, pressed numerous buttons. It will offend some people, but then again so did Avenue Q & Spamalot and both had long, healthy runs. I wish this show a long, healthy run as well.

[sopranobiz]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 5:11pm

Saw the preview last night. I agree, there's nothing cutting edge or too offensive. I was surprised about this considering it's by the creators of Southpark.
I don't think too much needs to be fixed about the show. Cast is unique and fun. Music is somewhat memorable.
Not the greatest show I've ever seen but fun and worth the ticket price!

[shrekster224]

Posted: 3/2/11 at 8:28pm

So, I'm seeing the show soon and wanted to read a little bit about it because I have no idea what it's about. There are only a few short descriptions out there, so to someone who has seen it, wanna give a plot summary? Spoilers are fine. Thanks!

[Kad]

Posted: 3/2/11 at 11:54pm

Here's one, just based on memory. Um, spoilers abound.

Golden child Elder Price and the schlubby Elder Cunningham have just finished Mormon missionary training. They get paired up and are shipped out to join the mission in a remote part of Uganda. However, Cunningham has a lying problem and has not read the Book of Mormon. Elder Price believes this is his ticket to salvation, while Cunningham plans on just supporting Elder Price in his work. They arrive in Uganda and are promptly held at gunpoint by a warlord's thugs and have their belongings stolen. They're greeted by Mafala Hatimbi and his sweet, idealistic daughter Nabalungi, and share their less-than-holy, not-quite-hakuna-matata philosophy and show how Price has a long way to go to start converting people.
Price and Cunningham meet the ineffective and emotionally repressed missionaries already in the region, led by the deeply repressed homosexual Elder McKinley, who have had no baptisms in the several months they have been there- and worse, the Mission President wishes to have a progress report and check-in soon. Price tells the over-eager and obnoxious Cunningham to just support him, and pitches the story of Joseph Smith and the origins of the church to the Ugandan villagers. They are dubious at best, but the idea of a paradise called Salt Lake City resonates with Nabalungi.
Price and Cunningham witness the barbaric warlord General demand all of the village women be circumcised, and then execute a dissenting villager. Price has his faith shaken severely, and is sick of Cunningham's ineptitude and walks out. However, Nabalungi approaches Cunningham and says that the villagers are ready to hear their ideas once more. Cunningham decides to seize the opportunity and "man up". There's a rousing Act 1 Finale.
At the top of act 2, we see that Cunningham is beginning to lie in order to get the Ugandans to buy into the Mormon teachings. He peppers the story of Joseph Smith with references to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Star Trek, as well as references to AIDS and other African plights. The Ugandans are responsive, but Cunningham is faced by his conscience.
Elder Price, however, has a spooky Mormon hell dream and decides to return to the mission. He finds Cunningham's success deeply shaking, and vows to one-up him by converting the warlord General. While singing of his convictions, he goes- and has the Book of Mormon shoved up his ass.
Meanwhile, Nabalungi tells Cunningham she wishes to be baptized and become a full-fledged Mormon. Price, however, has had a coffee binge (coffee being banned by the teachings of the church), and is doubting the existence of God in the face of everything he's experienced and in Cunningham's success. But the Mission President is arriving, and Cunningham demands Price at least act professional.
The Mission President arrives, and the Ugandans wish to present to him a performance of the story of Joseph Smith. They do... and it's... well, let's just say it's inaccurate. The Mission President is furious and disbands the mission in the region. Nabalungi likewise is furious, feeling that everything is a lie. However, the Ugandan villagers chide her for believing everything to be literal- after all, the story of Joseph Smith and the idea of Salt Lake City was clearly metaphorical.
Cunningham is distraught, but Price comforts him- Price finds that Cunningham's alterations to the Mormon teachings brilliant and really helped the Ugandans. Everything seems fine- except one issue: the General has arrived to made good on his threat. Cunningham and Price thwart him with pseudo-religious/nerd culture babble. The disbanded mission's former missionaries begin to take their leave- but Price stops them and convinces them that they can still stay and help. Everyone rejoices- and soon, the Ugandans are spreading the word, door-to-door.

[steveshack]

Posted: 3/3/11 at 7:02pm

Saw it Wednesday night. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at a show in my life. Every plot twist is unexpected, but perfectly laid in. And the second act send-up of Small Hour of Uncle Thomas for the Mormon leader was beyond hysterical.

This is a laugh riot, witty and even though it's got everything from AIDS to baby-raping and female circumcision, it's a very warm musical where the characters begin as cartoons and then win you over with genuine, emotional moments and even a good moral at the end.

It probably will be difficult to tour, given the stuff most people will get offended at, but if you love this kind of **** -- and I do -- you'll appreciate that they had the courage to go full out.

The poster above who complained about the warm and human aspect of the show, I'd suggest that that's what makes all the rest of it palatable and even meaningful. 2 hours of just cynical gags would be intolerable. None of the offensive material was there gratuitously. They actually resonated with the point that the writers wished to make.

I loved it. And so did everyone else in that theater. You could smell the Hit Factor in the air. It'll be interesting to see how this sells to older audiences.

I'll say this, love it or hate it or "eh" it, you've never seen anything quite like it on a stage. If you know South Park, you know exactly what to expect.


It's nice to see a show that is aimed at the youth audience that contains actual theater craft in the writing, the acting, the staging and score. It's terrific.

In my humble opinion, of course. :)


Steve Schalchlin

Living in the Bonus Round Updated On: 3/3/11 at 07:02 PM

[steveshack]

Posted: 3/3/11 at 7:38pm

I just wanted to add to the discussion about the plot. The earlier poster got most of the plot right, but there's no way to really relate how it all plays. And as for the person who said there wasn't anything cutting edge in the piece, I guess it would depend on what one considers cutting edge.

So, to address both points, here is how religion plays in Book of Mormon. I might have some of it wrong, of course, since I only saw it once -- so take it with a grain of salt -- but this is what I remember seeing:

MAJOR SPOILERS INCLUDING PLAY RESOLUTION!! (Don't read this if you're going to see it. So much of the fun comes from not knowing what's next.)







They skewer the Mormon history, poking fun at the idea that the Jews boated themselves over to America, and then had a visit from Jesus during the three days he was supposed to be dead. (Jesus is pure blonde with robes that light up).

One of the missionaries tries to tell the villages about the Book of Mormon but he hadn't actually read it. Also, they're so destitute, all they want to know is how cure their AIDS, which one insisted could only be done by f***ing a virgin, and the only virgins left are babies, so he tells them that the Book of Mormon forbids baby f***ing, but that Joseph Smith -- inspired by the Ewoks and hobbits who appeared to him on the move across the country -- cured his AIDS by f***ing frogs.

This convinces the villagers to get baptized, and they dream of being transported to Salt Lake City to get away from the terrorist army, coming into town to circumcise all the females.

In act two, the villagers do a little mini-musical for the heads of the Mormon church in the style of The King And I's "Small House of Uncle Thomas." This horrifies the heads of the church, of course, because the finale consists of strap-on long, straw dildos and Black guys in white face, portraying the early Mormons.

Finally, when the villagers realize they're not getting a trip to SLC, they don't care because they already knew it was all a metaphor, including Jesus, Joseph Smith and, probably, God. But everyone decides it's okay to believe all this religion stuff even if it's not true because it makes people happy.

One of the guys does get a Book of Mormon shoved up his ass.


Maybe I'm just old, but I would say that most people would consider this a bit on the edge. :)

[willep]

Posted: 3/4/11 at 12:37am

I am pretty stunned that people think there is nothing offensive in this show. I thought there was enough to offend just about everyone (don't get me wrong, I loved every minute of it). I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life, but I didn't think there was any shortness of "edge."

Also, the entire cast was fantastic, but Josh Gad, I thought, was truly wonderful.

And there were camera's there tonight, too. Updated On: 3/4/11 at 12:37 AM

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/4/11 at 7:39am

"I'll say this, love it or hate it or "eh" it, you've never seen anything quite like it on a stage."

Cf. "Spamalot" and "The Producers," two far superior (and funnier) shows, and without all the obscenities.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 10:20pm

For those who have seen the show:
I havent't really seen any mention of any age reccomendations. My teenage boys love theater and are dying to see Mormon. I know everyone has different standards in terms of what is appropriate but if a bunch of individuals respond perhaps we can get a general consensus.

For purposes of context, the only show I ever felt slightly uncomfortable with my boys (who were all 3 years younger at the time, granted) was Avenue Q, during a few numbers. Still enjoyed it lots, but there were definitely a few moments where I turned slightly red.

Thanks in advance.

[siny]

Posted: 3/5/11 at 11:48pm

My children are 20 and 24 and I saw both Avenue Q and the Book of Mormon with them. We watched Titanic together when they were 7 and 11 and after that nothing embarrasses me or them :)
For me, I would definitely bring younger teenagers to see Mormon, but I don't know what your tolerance level is. What is it that you think would bother you ?

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/9/11 at 11:38pm

Saw the show tonight (first time since the 5th preview) and surprised on how many changes were made! Basically everything from the scene between Elder Price and Cunningham in bed to right before Salt Like City has been changed. It seems weird that they changed the All American Prophet song, to make it more about Elder Price's relation to Joseph Smith's story. Weird because I found it great as it was, but it's fine now.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/10/11 at 8:20am

That's surprising. I thought it was great as-is, too (the chorus is still stuck in my head). I'm glad to see they're willing to try to strengthen the material, though.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/10/11 at 9:01am

I always have that song in my head! It was interesting how they had Elder Price kind of shadowing Joseph Smith's choregraphy.

They are certainly to try and strengthen the relationship between Elder Price and Elder Cunningham. Although I still find the scene when they're in their room together (my least favorite scene) kind of weak. The lyrics to the song are now "tomorrow is a latter day" which I guess makes is a slight improvement.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/10/11 at 10:56am

Saw this last night and loved it. Even though it seems they are still making some changes, it was very tight and the pace was great.
The cast was terrific, particularly Daniels and O'Malley. I'd love to see him snag a tony nomination, though I'm sure Gad is the likely nominee. He and Rannels were great as well, but neither sung particulary well (I know, I'm a snob and it doesnt really matter so much with the material, they were playing their parts, blah blah.) Both Gad and Rannels went just slightly overboard, imo. It's easy to do with this material, but Rannels was channeling Jim Carey at his most frenentic sometimes. I was ready for him to say "All righty now!"
Actually, both were very good, it's just Daniels was funny, sweet, and definitely the heart of the show. Loved her "Salt Lake City" number. O'Malley was so funny without mugging so much.

I'm a fan of South Park, so nothing here surprised or offended me, but to say it isnt edgy, new or whatever, I'd like to know what they're comparing it to. This is not Spamalot or The Producers. Totally different animals, IMO. This definitely is edgier than either of those shows (Spamalot I liked very much, The Producers not as much.)
Anyway, apples and oranges, so comparing is stupid, as it usually is. If you didnt like this because it wasnt edgy enough, what did you expect to happen? What didnt they do that would've made it edgy enough? I thought it was funny, sweet and very well done. I loved the sets. The Mormon Dream sequence was pure SP.
I was looking forward to seeing this and it exceeded my expectations. That hasnt happened in quite a while. My usually pretty jaded husband laughed to the point of losing his breath.

It's ability to tour and sell on Bway will be interesting to see play out, tho. We were surrounded by SP fans, not your average theatergoer.

[steveshack]

Posted: 3/10/11 at 11:10am

I love hearing that teenage boys are wanting to see this.

That's the best news of all, especially because this show is very well written, acted and danced.

Usually, the story is, "Well, yeah, it sucked, but at least younger people are going to the theater!"

This is the kind of project that could convert an entire generation into theater lovers.
Updated On: 3/10/11 at 11:10 AM

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/10/11 at 8:24pm

I saw the show two nights ago, and I was surrounded front, back and sides in the orchestra by 20-something guys. So cool to see this audience turn out. Also saw Jon Stewart and Anjelica Huston walk by!

I'll echo what everyone else is saying. It's the best musical I've seen all season. It's hilarious, and I hope if wins ALL THE TONYS! Rannells and McNally were fantabulous. Having grown up with Mormon best friends in a predominantly Mormon community out west, they all hit the mark incredibly well. Oddly enough, a lot of those Mormons were also theatre lovers, so McNally totally grabbed the humor and bits of irony behind Mormonism.

See this show!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/11/11 at 1:55am

I saw the show tonight. Is it perfect? Hell no. Is it the "funniest musical of all time"? Nope. I certainly think I would have liked it even more had I not gone in which such high expectations. That said, I still pretty much loved it.

Some jokes definitely fall flat (the actors are still trying to perfect laugh-lines here and there) but more than not, the jokes are pretty damn funny. The score is lightyears better than the book. I just don't see how any score coming this season can top this one. Freaking hilarious lyrics and ridiculously catchy melodies. I have no problem calling this score close to brilliant. The book, on the other hand, is good. It's certainly not awful, but the show really soars in its musical sequences. The sequence towards the end of the second act where the townspeople reenact the story of Joseph Smith ranks near the top of my list of the funniest sh*t I've ever seen. I couldn't catch my breath I was laughing so hard.

Andrew Rannells carries the show effortlessly and with much charm. Josh Gad is certainly funny, but not as uproarious as he should be. Nikki M. James has a remarkable voice and great stage presence. The real star of this show is the ensemble. They are excellent.

The sets are great, the costumes are clever, the orchestrations are wonderful, and the direction/choreography could not be more perfect.

This show has a ridiculously huge heart. That's what makes it so endearing. You feel for Elder Price and Elder Cunningham and their friendship, in a weird, twisted, demented way. And it certainly introduces some very interesting themes, regarding religion, love, friendship, etc. I am just so excited to see an original musical that actually achieves greatness, at certain points. There are moments that are uneven, for sure. But all in all, it shouldn't be missed by anyone looking for a good, hard laugh. This is gonna be hard to get tickets to when it opens. I can't wait to go back again.

I mean, it's just hard not to love a show that includes the lyrics "f*ck you God, in the ass, mouth, and c*nt." Updated On: 3/11/11 at 01:55 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 2:51am

The more I think about this show, the more I really enjoyed it. I already bought tickets to go again. SO many of the songs are stuck in my head. I can't even remember the last time that's happened after leaving an original musical. I really don't see how there can be a better score this season. Based on early comments about CATCH ME, this is going to be an interesting Tony race. I hope SISTER ACT is great too. It'd be cool to see the race be between four shows ALL truly worthy of the award. Especially after last year's abysmal season for new musicals.

[steveshack]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 7:06am

WiCkEDrOcKS, your postings speak for me. The more I think about Mormon, the better it gets in retrospect, which is a wonderful added value to a piece of theater. The score is totally genius. Hilarious, tuneful. We're still singing the opening number all the time and we only remember the first two notes. (Others, when you see the show, you'll know why.)

This is one of the best Broadways shows I've ever seen. Moment by moment, it all hangs together, all makes sense, and is all hilarious. And that they do it with such broad characters is a miracle.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 7:34am

" The more I think about Mormon, the better it gets in retrospect,"

Funny, the more I think about it, (and I think about it as little as possible), the worse it gets in retrospect.

Pure juvenilia, with a lot of dirty words to show how grown up and hip they are.

[steveshack]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 7:40am

> Pure juvenilia, with a lot of dirty words to show how grown up and hip they are.

I respectfully disagree. They were tackling a lot of adult issues, but with humor, especially the subject of well-meaning fools, thinking they can save everyone in the world by wearing a tie and selling a book.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 7:54am

"They were tackling a lot of adult issues, but with humor"

Not hard enough, not sharply enough, not wittily enough. It's soft at its core. It has no bite, no edge----- just a lot of dirty words and about six laughs.