The Book of Mormon
Eugene O'Neill Theatre
New York, NY
Credit Robert Lopez (Avenue Q), Trey Parker and Matt Stone (South Park) for the book, music and lyrics. Add Casey Nicholaw (Spamalot), and you get an idea of the free-wheeling nuttiness. The Book of Mormon is a nothing-is-sacred, fast read under Parker’s co-direction with Nicholaw, who also choreographed plenty of joyful dancing.
It’s Salt Lake City and 19-year-old Mormons are graduating Elders awaiting their missionary assignments. Elder Kevin Price (Andrew Rannells), a popular and fierce believer with a toothpaste smile, has fingers crossed for sunny Orlando. So what if it’s hardly needy for salvation. He is oddly paired with plump loner Elder Arnold Cunningham (Josh Gad), who yearns for a best friend. They form an uneasy alliance about to suffer severe culture shock since their destination is not Orlando, but an impoverished village in Uganda threatened by AIDS, female circumcision, infant rape, and a sadistic warlord called General (Brian Tyree Henry).
The natives spurn salvation. They cope with trouble by raising their middle fingers to the sky, crying, "Hasa Diga Eebowai”or “F… you, God,” a 180-degree twist on the sunny “Hakunah Mutate," (The Lion King). Still the idealistic missionaries get to work spreading the word of “The All-American Prophet,” the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Voice of God. Soon, Elder Price, realizing that Uganda is not quite like The Lion King, questions the effectiveness of his mission and decides to transfer without his partner.
Left alone, Elder Cunningham tries converting the villagers by “Making Things Up” and redesigning The Book of Mormon with sci-fi links. With rockin’ gospel spirit, he encourages everyone to “Man Up.” Nabulungi (Nikki M. James), daughter of the village head, Mafala Hatimbi (Michael Potts), desperate to avoid mutilation, hears the message and agrees that salvation lies in “Sal Tlay Ka Siti.” (Say it aloud; it makes sense.) The production parodies musicals like Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, even Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, and the villagers, thanking Elder Cunningham for converting them, present "Joseph Smith American Moses." In a screwy way—mentioning Woks and brandishing Brigham Young with a clitoris for a nose—it references the “Small House of Uncle Thomas” ballet from The King and I.
Meanwhile, Elder Price, after experiencing a "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream," decides the principles of Mormon belief are worthwhile after all, and he rejoins his partner to spread the word.
Andrew Rannells (Jersey Boys), and Josh Gad (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), lead a cast of likeably flawed characters. Rory O'Malley, head of the Mormon mission, has a memorable musical moment leading a tap-dancing chorus line of sequined missionaries. Brian Tyree Henry is commanding as the General and the lithe belter Nikki M. James is a persuasive Nabalungi.
Through a well-crafted book in traditional musical comedy form, outrageous topics are presented with good-natured catchy melodies and comical lyrics. There is a Disney World feel to Scott Pask’s sets of a grand cathedral under a starry sky contrasted with the colorful Ugandan village. Costumer Ann Roth further brightens the look with Candyland hues, while Elders wear white shirts with short sleeves, black narrow ties and black pants. She lets her imagination run free in some of the musical segments, like Elder Price’s "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream."
Songs are not listed in the playbill and there were no out-of-town tryouts for The Book of Mormon, boosting the value of OMG-did-they-really-say that? These are the guys behind South Park, after all, and it may not be for you. For those who can embrace the irreverent, you’ll love The Book of Mormon’s originality and hilarity blanketing a serious, topical intent.
(Pictured: Rema Webb, Andrew RAnnells, Josh Gad; Photo by Joah Marcus)
Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
March 29, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org