Susan Granger’s review of “Book of Mormon” (Eugene O’Neill Theatre)
Biting, bawdy and irreverent, “Book of Mormon” is an outrageously hilarious musical – on the superlative level of “Spamalot” and “The Producers.” Praise the Lord!
With the Angel Moroni perched high above, two naïve, young True Believers finish their mandatory missionary training in Salt Lake City, are randomly paired up and told they’re shipping out to Uganda for two years to spread the faith. This comes as a great disappointment to arrogant, ambitious Elder Price (Andrew Rannells), who’d much prefer to have been sent to Orlando, Florida. But chubby, rambunctious Elder Cunningham (Josh Gad) is thrilled, not only to be off on an adventure but to be working with wholesome Elder Price. On arrival, they find themselves in a poverty-stricken, war-torn village whose bitter, AIDS-ravaged inhabitants are so discouraged by the sadistic domination of a homicidal General (Bryan Tyree Henry) that their anthem is “Hasa Diga Eebowai,” which roughly translates as a vulgar middle finger to God. Stunned by their blasphemy, the Elders realize their task is close to impossible. Yet, somehow, Elder Cunningham manages to relate to lovely Nabulungi (Nikki M. James). She brings her skeptical neighbors to listen to the inspirational scripture of prophet Joseph Smith, as Elder Cunningham with great bravado roughly translates the Church’s sacred myths into contemporary metaphors, referencing “Star Wars,” “Star Trek” and Disney.
While superficially sacrilegious, the show’s heart turns out to have been in the right place. This foul-mouthed, fiercely original concept was created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (TV’s politically incorrect “South Park”) with composer/lyricist Robert Lopez (“Avenue Q”) and it’s exuberantly directed by Parker and Casey Nicholaw (“The Drowsy Chaperone”), who also choreographed. The entire cast, Scott Peck’s scenery, Ann Roth’s costumes and Brian MacDevitt’s lighting are outstanding too.
Savvy, smart and scathingly satirical, “Book of Mormon” is the hottest helluva ticket in town!