Review: Hilarious Touring Production of THE BOOK OF MORMON Packed With Talent

THE BOOK OF MORMON is a satirical musical with book, lyrics, and music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone, the creators of the long running Comedy Central animated series South Park, along with Lopez, the co-composer/co-lyricist of Avenue Q and Frozen, have created a show that simultaneously deconstructs the American musical while paying loving homage to it. THE BOOK OF MORMON is the story of two young Mormon missionaries who are sent to Uganda on their first mission. The only thing the two boys have in common is their naive outlook on life. When they try to spread "the word" among the locals they discover that religion is the last thing the villagers are concerned about.

Faith and doubt are the driving factors at the core of THE BOOK OF MORMON. While it is a satirical take on organized religion (in general) and the credibility of the Church of Latter Day Saints (specifically); the lead characters, Elder Price (Kevin Clay) and Elder Cunningham (Jacob Ben-Shmuel), are portrayed as well-meaning innocents. It points out how religious organizations have become so rigid that they are out of touch; yet, it also shows how, when taken metamorphically, faith has the power to do great good. Stone, in an interview, once described THE BOOK OF MORMON as "an atheist's love letter to religion." While it pretty thoroughly skewers the Mormon faith (a subject Parker and Stone have explored before on South Park), the underlying spirit of this show is surprisingly sweet hearted. Even as the show takes a blow torch to the precepts of Mormonism, it displays an almost reverential respect for the traditions of musical theatre.

The score is an inspired lampoon of traditional Broadway musicals. Listen closely and you'll notice tributes to the best of classic Broadway: Bye Bye Birdie, The Pajama Game, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Lion King are all clearly influences. The most noticeable tribute is to Rogers and Hammerstein's The King and I when they satirize the production number "Small House of Uncle Thomas" with the riotously funny and profane "Joseph Smith American Moses". The authors deep love and appreciation of musical theatre pays off with a memorable score full of show stoppers.

Choreographed by Casey Nicholaw and directed by Nicholaw and Trey Parker, the show sparkles from start to finish. There isn't a dead or dull moment in this hilarious show. The tech for this touring production is top notch, from the scenic design of Scott Pask to the lighting design of Brian MacDevitt. Ann Roth's costumes are absolute perfection as well.

This tour also features an incredible array of talent. Kevin Clay as Elder Price has a great singing voice and is both charmingly and belivably naïve. Jacob Ben-Shmuel as Elder Cunnigham, is absolutely hilarious. He brings to the role a wonderfully inspired goofiness, both vocally and physically, and makes the part his own. He is a standby for the role, and I seriously hope you get to catch a night he is performing... because he brings a real freshness to the role. Kayla Pecchioni brings genuine sweetness to the role of Ugandan villager, Nabulungi. Andy Huntington Jones displays some serious dancing skill and comic timing as Elder McKinley. Corey Jones, as the General, has some terrifically funny moments when reacting to Elder Price, getting big laughs with just a look. Brinie Wallace, who plays one of the villagers, has a great moment in the second act where the timing and delivery of her explanation of metaphor to Nabulungi was so acidically funny it almost stopped the show. In fact, there isn't a weak link in this entire company.

THE BOOK OF MORMON is a unique and skillfully crafted piece of musical theater that walks that very thin line between conventional and unconventional. And yes, it is rife with profanity... I mean, come on, this is Trey Parker and Matt Stone we're talking about. However, at the heart of this show is a sweet soul that still believes, in this jaded day and age, that good can triumph over adversity. That's something the world can use a whole lot more of right now.

THE BOOK OF MORMON: Book, lyrics, and music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone
Running Time: 2 Hours and 30 Minutes, including intermission. Contains explicit language.

THE BOOK OF MORMON, presented by Lexus Broadway In Austin, at Bass Concert Hall in the Texas Performing Arts Center (2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712). Performances run through April 22nd.
APR. 19, 8:00 PM
APR. 20, 8:00 PM
APR. 21, 2:00 PM
APR. 21, 8:00 PM
APR. 22, 1:00 PM
APR. 22, 7:00 PM
Reservations: https://texasperformingarts.org/season/book-of-mormon-broadway-austin-2018

Venue Policies:
No outside food or drink, including water, may be brought into the venue.
No large bags or purses are allowed. Bags must not exceed 14" wide x 12" tall x 6" deep.
Guest Services Bag Check: $5 (cash only)
There is no re-entry into Bass Concert Hall.
No photography or recording of any kind is allowed inside the theatre.
The University of Texas at Austin is a tobacco-free campus, including e-cigarettes.

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