When you think of SOUTH PARK and its no-holds-barred, foul-mouthed humor, you don't tend to think of stories of faith and hope. But, when writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone (along with Robert Lopez of AVENUE Q and FROZEN fame) got together to write a musical based on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (better known as Mormons), that's exactly what resulted. THE BOOK OF MORMON is a satirical masterpiece - and it has become a Broadway sensation.
You gotta admit: A lot has changed in this world since Nashville audiences were first treated to The Book of Mormon two years ago. The extended run in 2014 at Tennessee Performing Arts Center set records for ticket sales, garnered great critical acclaim and knocked the socks off the thousands of people witnessing the bold, brash and irreverent musical for the very first time.
Candace Quarrels is currently killing it nightly as Nabulungi in THE BOOK OF MORMON at the PrivateBank Theater. And while her character might dream of 'Sal Tlay Ka Siti,' Quarrels' dreams include originating a role in an Original Broadway Cast. She sat down with us for a quick 10 on Tuesday.
I love Mormons. I met my first church member while I was a teenager, studying my family history. They archive practically every family tree ever recorded. It has something to do with their religion, but they don't really like to talk about it, similar to their stance on magic underwear. Now on stage at The Wharton Center for Performing Arts on the campus of Michigan State University is the wickedly cutting, outrageously hysterical 'Book of Mormon,' a musical satire that unearths all those little idiosyncrasies associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This performance was magical, I could almost feel the mana imbued in the actors' magic underwear. One of the stars, Cody Jamison Strand plays Elder Cunningham, gave a performance to die for.
After seeing a villager shot in the face during a missionary trip to Uganda, Elder Price comes to a stunning revelation in the hilarious musical BOOK OF MORMON: 'Africa is nothing like THE LION KING.'
A booming voice narrates a seemingly ridiculous fable to a lively pantomime. Blinding smiles of eager missionaries vigorously ring doorbells and sing 'Hello.' Sharp choreography and multiple vocal parts layer in an energetic and infectious opening number. It takes just ten minutes of the THE BOOK OF MORMON to know that you are in for a fun but over-the-top ride.
Typically the press night buzz at the Memphis Orpheum starts in the lobby . . . or at least inside the foyer. Last night, however, it radiated for two square blocks in all directions as Mormon missionaries turned out in force to meet and greet theater goers. These clean-cut, youth, armed with literature and disarming smiles had driven all the way from Little Rock. They weren't protesting the show, just using the opportunity to tell their side the world Trey Parker and Matt Stone (Creators of South Park) and Robert Lopez, composer of 'Avenue Q' so famously lampooned.
The Book of Mormon is an original musical that tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries who are sent to a remote village in Uganda, where they try to share one of their scriptures, The Book of Mormon (hence the title), but have trouble connecting with the locals who are more worried about war, poverty, and AIDS than religion.
Happy Holidays! It's the last week to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!
Time is running out to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!
Voting is fully underway for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 11. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.
Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.
Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.
One of the most popular and controversial new musicals of the past decade, nine-time Tony Award-winner The Book of Mormon says 'Hello!' to Providence now through Sunday, November 22. The winner of 2011's Tony Award for Best Musical has been praised by critics and fans alike for its nonsensical, unabashed sense of humor.