The BOOK OF MORMON Rave That Actually Matters

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/22/11 at 2:11pm

Screw what Brantley may or may not think...Sarah Vowell LOVED it!

"I just saw The Book Of Mormon in previews on Broadway, which is the new musical about Mormons by the South Park guys. I haven’t been that excited about any cultural artifact in years. I was so bedazzled by it, and it’s just so funny, I think I got motion sickness, because I was laughing so hard for so long. Pretty much the entire time. The jokes are great, but the story of it is these missionary kids from Utah go on a Mormon mission to Uganda. All of the historical asides are very informative and kind of doled out in the most casual, beguiling way. You leave learning things about Brigham Young and Joseph Smith and the history of Mormonism, but in a toe-tapping way.

"The whole thing is incredibly profane. There is this one number using an expletive and a deity that I’m sure is going to ruffle some feathers. But it’s such an old-fashioned classical musical, with impeccable choreography and real songs. If you didn’t speak English, you would think it’s Guys And Dolls or something. It’s only when you are listening to what they’re saying that it’s shocking, and wonderfully so. But part of the humor of it comes from how happy Mormons are. In a way, even though it basically ridicules all of their most fundamental beliefs, there’s a real kind of affection for actual Mormons and their happy-go-lucky pluck, and how genuinely sprightly people they are. The whole thing was really sophisticated. I haven’t been that excited about anything in I can’t remember how long."


SV interview

Updated On: 3/22/11 at 02:11 PM

[once a month]

Posted: 3/22/11 at 3:43pm

I saw it last weekend and agree. I also have 2 center mezz aisle seats for $75 each if anyone is interested on Tues 4/12. I hear it's selling out, and as much as I enjoyed it...pm me!

Thank you everyone...the tickets went in a flash!
Updated On: 3/23/11 at 03:43 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/22/11 at 3:45pm

Who is Sarah Vowell?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/22/11 at 4:58pm

I'd say she's one smart cookie!

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/22/11 at 5:50pm

Only the most fantastic, sarcastic and hilarious of NPR personalities. She does a lot for This American Life. She's also written a host of excellent American history nonfiction books that are quite interesting and also funny. I'd suggest reading 'Assassination Vacation' if you get a chance!

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 3/22/11 at 6:02pm

I thought Book of Mormon was hilarious, but to be perfectly honest the score did nothing for me. It was a tad too derivative for my taste - again, though, it was incredibly well written. Much better than anything I've seen on South Park.

[donte7162004]

Posted: 3/22/11 at 6:26pm

In 2004, Vowell provided the voice of Violet Parr, the shy teenager in the Brad Bird-directed Pixar animated film The Incredibles

[Kad]

Posted: 3/22/11 at 11:27pm

I would say the score's derivativeness is actually the point for most of the songs.

[fflagg]

Posted: 3/23/11 at 12:19am

Saw the show tonight.

Sad the say it left me cold. Unmemorable songs and a story that goes no where. Yeah, we get the joke, we know you're clever writers, but. . .

The place was packed, crowd for the most part ate it up. I wonder if this will be another show to get younger, straighter crowds in a la American Idiot.