[NEohioPAL] Review of "The Book of Mormon" at PlayhouseSquare

[Bob Abelman]

Irreverence, thy name is 'The Book of Mormon'

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review will appear in the News-Herald on 6/21/13

 

 

It's been said that the young newspaperman Benjamin Franklin was so cunning in his caustic editorials that those he insulted thanked him for the complements.  

 

It is unlikely that devout Mormons will be thanking writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone ("South Park") and composer Robert Lopez ("Avenue Q") any time soon.  But the rest of us who bear witness to their outrageous musical "The Book of Mormon" most certainly will.  

 

The show is on tour, on a rampage, and currently on stage at PlayhouseSquare.



The Tony Award-winning musical tells the tale of two young, naïve Mormon missinaries sent to a remote and impoverished village in Uganda, where AIDS, apathy and a brutal warlord threaten the local people. The wide-eyed, toothy missionaries from Salt Lake City - one a zealous overachiever (the square-jawed triple-threat Mark Evans) and the other a habitual ne'er-do-well (the physically and artistically well-rounded Christopher John O'Neill) - try to convert the villagers.  Although they win over and Baptize the adorable Nabulungi (played to perfection by Samantha Marie Ware), they are, themselves, reborn by the end of the second act.  

 

"The Book of Mormon" could be easily confused for a wholesome Broadway musical from yesteryear if not for the steady stream of blasphemy, profanity, sacrilege, genitalia jokes, and sophomoric treatment of anything remotely sacred, spiritual or serious - including the theater itself. 

 

In fact, its creators are so fluent in the language of musical theater that they use the same structural template, comfortable conventions, and familiar grammar to create something remarkably recognizable yet oh-so singularly unique.

 

As with most classic musicals, the score in "The Book of Mormon" soars to incredible heights and the darker side of life is tempered with sunny melodies. Yet the outrageously funny and bawdy lyrics bring it all down a notch or three.  "Hasa Diga Eebowai," for example, is a song that could easily come from "The Lion King."  A quick google search of the lyrics will indicate why it does not.

 

Production numbers are big, colorful and exuberant affairs, filled with all sorts of delightful Great White Way choreography (Casey Nicholaw), costuming (Ann Roth) and scenic design (Scott Pask).  Yet, as is the case with the huge ensemble number "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream," which features dancing demons with cameo appearances by Jeffrey Dahmer and Satan, it is clear that "The Book of Mormon" is not quite your Grandfather's musical.

 

The play comes complete with tender moments, a feel-good happy ending and a very-Disney message to take to heart.  Yet anything remotely redeeming about this show merely serves to off-set its many, many indiscretions.

 

Of course, merely counterbalancing a diet of blasphemy, profanity and sacrilege is not enough to make this show's blatant irreverence palatable and pleasurable.  The entire package needs to be well delivered by an exceptionally talented cast, an efficient and dedicated crew, and a stellar orchestra.  This tour has it all.

 

Parker, Stone and Lopez are clearly men on a mission - it is just not from God.  Realizing this is the first step in appreciating what "The Book of Mormon" has in store.  After that, just sit back, enjoy the inanity, and thank this unholy trilogy for their gifts.

 

"Book of Mormon" continues through July 7at PlayhouseSquare's Palace Theatre.  For tickets, which range from $35 to $135, visit www.playhousesquare.com.

 

 

 
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