If you wonder if Mormons are offended by the musical, the answer is, "It depends." The Church as a whole kind of sees it as "any publicity is good publicity" and frequently puts Church ads in the playbills. I can see why a lot of members would choose not to see it simply because of the nature of it having quite a bit of profanity and crude humor. Maybe I should have more of a problem with that, but it doesn't bother me so much (at least at this point in my life). Yes, it pokes fun at a lot of things we believe and does promote some misconceptions about the Church. Overall, though, I think they did a really great job at poking fun without being mean.
But, yeah. There are a lot of people who are very angry that anyone would approach anything regarding the Church with anything but reverence. But you are going to get those kind of people in any religion or group. Same with Mormonism.
I personally found the how hilarious.
Introduction
Book of Mormon Musical is, surprisingly, not about the actual Book of Mormon (maybe not too surprising). Rather, it follows two Mormon missionaries as they travel to Uganda and try to convert people living a much different lifestyle than they are used to.
Soundtrack
The music is catchy and really well done. And hilarious. So funny. Like, roll on the floor holding your sides funny. Maybe it's just because I'm Mormon so it's kind of like, "YES! Holy crap that's it! That's US!" but I know non-Mormons who think it's funny as well so I think anyone who isn't too offended by c**t, f**k, and other various profanities will think it's hilarious as well.
Aside from just being funny and very "Broadway" (you know what I mean), it's also great music. The "Mormon" songs all kind of have this Disney-like feel to them, but once you get to Africa, it starts to have more complex rhythms and things going on in the music. All of the singers in it are great, though I particularly love Elder Price and Nabulungi who just have superb voices.
Favorite Song
My favorite song would have to be "I Believe." It's just... too perfect. I mean, it sounds like an EFY (church youth camp) song... until you really listen to the words. Elder Price goes through and lists some of the core beliefs of the Church (and some of the more "out there" ones), but does so in a way that really brings to focus how absurd it must seem to someone outside of the Church. Like, yes, we do believe ancient Jews built boats and sailed to America. That's just not how we'd put it. Sure, some of it's a little off (Kolob isn't actually a planet where God lives... it's the star nearest Heaven... or something. I've never really been quite clear on that and it's not really something we really focus on in Sunday school), but for the most part it's all true. (Profanity warning... just a little though.)
The Show
I tried to get to see it when I was in New York by entering the lottery for tickets but, sadly, I never won. Luckily, my dad, my college roommate (yes I went to BYU in Utah), and I went to see the show on tour.
And it was amazing. Probably one of the best Broadway tours I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. There have been times when people have been kind of lackluster on tour (ie Cossette in Les Miserables when it toured when I was in high school... she was was pretty weak that night). Not that I blame them. They are traveling everywhere and performing every day. That's got to suck major. But still. This cast was amazing. We even went to see it on opening night in our city which doesn't always go as well because they are still working out kinks of setting up in a new stage. But this was great.
Except the random, "Praise Jesus!" That was weird. Mormons don't generally do that. Maybe they do in the Southern United States. But, yeah. Not a Mormon thing.
Let me say that they got the iconography perfect. Like, perfect. They really paid a great deal of attention to little details. The backgrounds were often reminiscent of paintings that will often be hanging up in church buildings, or scenes were posed exactly like pictures from Sunday school books.
I swear that's the same sky behind the Jesus statue at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
The costume for Joseph Smith was the best because it's DIRECTLY off one of the Sunday school manuals. My old roommate and I couldn't stop laughing.
Favorite Part
I can't decide between "Hello" and "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream." Both are fun for different reasons. I like "Hello" because it is just so representative of what Mormons are known for: missionaries knocking on doors. It's supposed to be set at the MTC (mission training center) where the missionaries are practicing before they go out on their missions. I had several friends who would go to the MTC to pretend to be people potentially interested in the Church. Most of them were people who spoke a second language so those people practicing the lessons in their new language had someone to practice with besides other potential missionaries. And they actually have doors they knock on and are answered to practice approaching people. So this was cute.
And "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream." As far as I know, we don't really have a concept of "Hell" as many other Christian religions do. But the feelings of guilt that spur the dream are pretty spot on. Plus, funny.
Has anyone else seen the show? What did you think? Would you be offended (or are you) if you were/are Mormon? Or is it just good natured ribbing a la Sister Act?
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