|
|
|
|
HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
 Posted - 02/15/2012 : 06:09:02
|
(I think I may have first heard of this musical comedy here at Skeptic Friends Network. Or maybe it was from my brother. If someone here mentioned it, my apology and a hat tip to whoever brought it to my attention. If someone's already reviewed this musical here, please double that apology.)
"The Book of Mormon" is a daring attempt by the "South Park" guys, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with composer-lyricist Robert Lopez, to make a successful stage show by satirizing the practices of the Mormon Church and its naive young international missionaries.
Amazingly, it works, and how!
Per Wikipedia the show has won the following awards:
Tony Award for Best Musical
Tony Award for Best Book
Tony Award for Best Original Score
New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical
Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album |
I'm living far too remotely for it to be likely that I'll see The Book of Mormon on stage, but even with my slow Internet connection I've been able to listen to and sometimes watch recordings of almost all the songs. It's as good as the critics think. In fact, it's the best musical comedy that has been made to date, in my opinion.
Missionaries, meet the locals.
I'm a rather anti-religious atheist, personally. So it may come as no surprise that I greatly enjoyed some of the more irreligious (and often very profane) musical numbers from the show. My ass nearly disassembled itself from my torso and fell to the ground when I heard "Hasa Diga Eebowai" for instance. Blasphemy doesn't get much better than that little ditty. And "Turn It Off" -- a song about sexual repression, was also very sadly funny.
Elder Price tries to make a Mormon out of General Butt-Fucking Naked.
But I was also greatly touched by "I Believe." I was moved by the incredible courage of Elder Price "doubling down" on his weakened faith to confront the sinister General Butt-Fucking Naked. And "Sal Tlay Ka Siti" sung by the character Nabulungi has brought tears to my eyes every time I've listened to it.
Nikki M. James as Nabulungi, singing the solo, "Sal Tlay Ka Siti."
"The Book of Mormon" manages to both laugh at, and respect, our deluded Mormon neighbors. It teats them first as fellow mammals, mammals who just happen to have some goofy (and sometimes dangerous) beliefs. Just the right touch, I think.
|
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
Edited by - HalfMooner on 02/15/2012 10:31:15
|
|
|
ThorGoLucky
Snuggle Wolf
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2012 : 13:16:45 [Permalink]
|
I so hope that The Book of Mormon musical comes to Portland or Eugene. Spamalot came through Oregon so there's hope!
|
 |
|
|
HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2012 : 13:24:20 [Permalink]
|
| My sister got to see Spamalot, and loved it. Hope you can see TBoM! |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
|
|
|
moakley
SFN Regular
USA
1888 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2012 : 20:25:13 [Permalink]
|
Originally posted by HalfMooner
My sister got to see Spamalot, and loved it. Hope you can see TBoM!
|
Saw Spamalot a couple years ago. It was a lot of fun. I hope that The Book of Mormon can make its way to Charlotte, too. |
Life is good
Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. -Anonymous |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
"The Book of Mormon" Musical
