Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON is an Evening Full of Show Stopping Musical Hilarity and Heart

THE BOOK OF MORMON is a satirical musical with book, lyrics, and music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the creators of the animated series South Park, which just wrapped up its 19th season. Lopez is best known as a co-composer/co-lyricist of Avenue Q and Frozen. THE BOOK OF MORMON is the story of two young Mormon missionaries who are sent to Uganda for their first mission. The boys have a naive outlook on life and little in common with each other. When they try to spread "the word" among the locals they find their audience has many things on their minds and religion is the last thing they are thinking about.

At the core, THE BOOK OF MORMON is all about faith and doubt. While it satirizes organized religion (in general) and the credibility of the Church of Latter Day Saints (specifically), the boys are portrayed as well-meaning even if they are more than a little unworldly. While it points out how religious organizations today may be rigid and out of touch, it also concludes that faith itself can do great good as long as it is taken metaphorically. Stone himself even described the show as "an atheist's love letter to religion." Even as the show skewers faith, the underlying spirit is anything but mean. While the show may make mincemeat out of the precepts of Mormonism, its respect for the traditions of musical theatre is completely devotional.

The score, upon close examination, is an inspired lampoon of traditional Broadway musicals. If you listen closely, you'll hear tributes to some of the best of Broadway: Bye Bye Birdie, The Pajama Game, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors, The Lion King, and most notably the production number "Joseph Smith American Moses" which is a clear riff on "Small House of Uncle Thomas" from The King and I. It's very clear that these creators have a deep love for the American musical. This devotion to the styles of the truly great musicals that came before it results in a new American musical where every number is memorable and many are show stoppers.

Choreographed by Casey Nicholaw and directed by Nicholaw and Trey Parker, the show flows beautifully and hums from start to finish. There isn't a dead or dull moment in this hilarious little musical... and the choreography is at times dazzling.

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 some very strong talent. The two leads, A.J. Holmes and Billy Harrigan Tighe have played these same roles in London's West End. Tighe, as Elder Price, is charmingly and earnestly naïve. He does a terrific job as the character that goes through the big changes of the evening, each transition ringing true. Holmes, as Elder Cunnigham, is a true delight... nerdy, goofy, naïve and tons of charisma. Alexandra Ncube delivers a fresh charm to the role of Ugandan villager, Nabulungi, deftly handling silliness that, in less skilled hands, would come off unbelievable. She also possesses a glorious voice that soars in "Sal Tlay Ka Siti". In fact, there isn't a weak link in the entire company.

In the final analysis, THE BOOK OF MORMON is a skillful piece of musical theater that is oddly both conventional and unconventional. Does it have truly coarse moments? Of course it does... we're talking about Trey Parker and Matt Stone. But it also, at the very core, has a sweet soul and a message that if you believe, good can triumph over adversity... and isn't that the core message of every great American musical?

THE BOOK OF MORMON, Book, Music and Lyrics 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 Dec. 13.

Ticket info 512-471-1444 or www.BroadwayInAustin.com

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