BWW Reviews: THE BOOK OF MORMON - Crude, Rude, Offensive, and Sold Out

BBW Review: "THE BOOK OF MORMON" - CRUDE, RUDE, OFFENSIVE, and SOLD-OUT!

Book, Lyrics, and Music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone

Directed by Trey Parker and Casey Nicholaw

Musical Direction by Remy Kurs

Choreographed by Casey Nicholaw

November 13, 2013 at 7:30P.M.

The electricity in Carol Morsani Hall, at the Straz Center in Tampa, for the opening performance of the National Tour of "THE BOOK OF MORMON", was the closest I have experienced here, to the excitement of a Broadway opening night yet! The SOLD-OUT house was simply percolating, in anticipation of the 9 time Tony Award winning musical's Tampa debut.

"THE BOOK OF MORMON" opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in 2011, and is still playing to SOLD-OUT crowds. It won Nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. It also received the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical,five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.

"THE BOOK OF MORMON" is a religious satire musical, with book and lyrics, by "SOUTH PARK" 's, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, joined with "AVENUE Q" 's co-composer/co-lyricist, Robert Lopez to create the music. Given the track record with this award winning team at the helm, there was no doubt that this was going to be an over-the-top, hilarious production.

The story revolves around "The Odd Couple" of two, 19 year old, mismatched, Mormon missionaries. There is the handsome, high achiever, Elder Price and the dumpy, habitual liar, Elder Cunningham, who are sent from Utah, to a remote village in Uganda, to convert and baptize the natives in "THE BOOK OF MORMON".

The scenic design by Scott Park, in the staiNed Glass proscenium of a Mormon temple, along with a stunning backdrop of heaven, caused oo's and ahh's as we entered the theatre. It was all enhanced by the radiant lighting design by Brian MacDevitt.

The lights began to dim and the audience was hushed.

The cute and whimsical opening number "HELLO!", was a spoof of the telephone number from "Bye Bye Birdie". Okay, so that was setting the tone for the rest of the production,... or so I thought.

The next thing that I remember bellowing from a villager, very clearly, was the line that repeated many times during the two and half hour musical...

"I Have Maggots In My Scrotum!"

And then crude, rude, offensive, and profane, course of events began. Just when I thought it couldn't get any cruder, ruder, or more offensive, or more profane, there is an entire musical production number using the "F" word and gesturing to God with the middle finger. Oh, there are lots of the "F" word throughout the show. In addition, Jesus calls one of the missionary's "a Dick!". There you are. I just wrote what I saw and what I heard. WHOA!

There were some things that I DID like. There were some things that I DID like ALOT.

The singing and dancing was FIRST CLASS! The singing voices of the entire cast were exceptional. The diction however, of heavily ethnic accents, made the majority of those lyrics unclear and interrupted the storyline. This happens sometimes in a long run of a show and can be easily remedied.

Triple threat, Mark Evans as Elder Price, gave a brilliant performance. As Elder Cunningham, Christopher John O' Neill is absolutely loveable and his comic timing is perfection. Samantha Marie Ware, makes a lovely Nabulungi. She has a beautiful voice, although a challenge to understand her lyrics. Stanley Wayne Mathis as Mafala Hatimbi and Derrick Williams as General, were well cast and commanded the stage.

A highlight of the show, was the show stopping, "Turn It Off". This is a take-off on the "old fashioned", musical theatre, precision tap production numbers, choreographed by the dynamic Casey Nicholaw and led by the outstanding actor, singer, dancer, Grey Henson. Mr. Henson does it all! His singing, acting, dancing, and comic timing is stunning.

Directors Trey Parker and Casey Nicholaw did a flawless job directing and staging this show, with high energy and brisk pace. The Musical Direction by Remy Kurs was excellent, as was the orchestra. The Costume Design by Ann Roth was full of color for the villagers and appropriately bland for the missionaries.

I must give kudos to Sound Designer, Brian Ronan who found the perfect balance with the singers and the orchestra.

I feel it is my responsibility as a Theatre Critic, to let you know what you will be getting for your $153.50 ticket. And this is just some of what you will see. I haven't yet mentioned, there is a great deal of profanity, raping babies, raping a young man with a stick, and even an entire production number about the (visual) effects of dysentery. Need I go on...?

Be that as it may, the SOLD-OUT audience laughed a great deal, the seats were still filled for the second act, no one appeared to leave during intermission, AND...at the finale, the audience jumped to their feet for a standing ovation, with cheers, whistles, and deafening applause!

Maybe it's just me...I guess, the content of the show is just "not for me". The only saving grace is that when all is said and done, what the show promotes is, "that we should ALL just get along together". Now, THAT...I LIKE!

I have been a professional in show businees for over 40 years and I thought that I have seen and had experienced everything there is to see and to do regarding show business. UH UH...Oh no!

"THE BOOK OF MORMON" is unlike ANYTHING I have EVER seen or experienced before.

I guess I am not a "cool dude". I thought I was, till I saw this production. Okay, if that is the case, "Let it be known, that I am no longer a "cool dude".

And so, if you are not easily offended and if you enjoy Lower than Low Brow entertainment, "THE BOOK OF MORMON" is the perfect choice for you! Go see it and make up your own mind.

Recommended for mature audiences - (contains explicit language)

"THE BOOK OF MORMON" will play Carol Morsani Hall, November 12th-24th, 2013

at at the Straz Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place • Tampa, Florida 33602

Tickets: $69.00 - $153.50 and may be purchased by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, or in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online.

www.strazcenter.org

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