Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON at Hobby Center

The city of Houston has been on news feeds with its share of religious drama. Kim Burrell's hateful rhetoric towards the gays has caused an uproar in the gay and Christian communities, and now the controversial religious satire musical BOOK OF MORMON, written by SOUTH PARK creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone with Robert Lopez (FROZEN), is back in town.

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The musical opened on Broadway in 2011 and has been pissing off and entertaining packed houses ever since. Last night's show was magnetic; there's a reason why The New York Times says this is the best musical of the century.

I love going to the theatre when the story isn't pithy. In the crazy world we live in, with political banter back and forth, the constant judgment of sexuality and lifestyle, it is a breath of fresh air to go to a show that pokes fun at all of the above. I've had the pleasure of seeing this show on Broadway and on tour and I was entertained last night. This is a musical theatre gumbo and there's something in this show for everyone. If you love a nice tap number or an 11 o'clock number, it's in here; there's even an ode to the boy bands of the '90s.

The first number by the Mormon ensemble, "Two by Two," had its problem spots with synchronicity in the choreography. The energy was high but there were moments the chorus didn't look like one dancer. Gabe Gibbs's (Elder Price) performance grew on me by Act II. There wasn't anything dynamic about his performance and at times he was outshined by members of the chorus, but by Act II I was a fan and his delivery of "I Believe" was nice. Belting a closed "e" vowel isn't always a walk in the park and he did this with ease. Conner Pierson (Elder Cunningham) was dynamic from start to finish. His comedic timing and nuances were served up nicely. There were times when he was speak-singing and I questioned his vocal ability, but boy was I wrong. He delivered vocals and SNL-esque comedic timing that tickled the funny bones of the packed house.

Once the missionaries arrived in Africa they were greeted by thugs with rifles and introduced to what "Hasa Diga Eebowai" means by the Ugandan villagers. Even though the meaning of the song is blasphemous, it's my favorite number of the show. Blending West African sounds with song adds a wonderful juxtaposition to this score. Listening to the score from scene to scene is nothing but ear candy to a music lover. The vocal arrangements and orchestrations were smart and bring together commercial musical theatre with cultural music creating an award-winning score. I found myself immersed in the oohs and ahhs of the African chorus. Musically this is one of the best scores I listened to in years.

As the show moved we were introduced to more characters. Bryce Charles (Nabulungi) was a ray of sunshine from start to finish. The crystal clear clarity of her voice is spectacular and takes your ears on a roller coaster ride during her solo "Sal Tlay Ka Siti." No shade to Nikki M. James, but this was by far one of the best deliveries I've heard of this song.

There is no doubt that BOOK OF MORMON is a great musical, and I love seeing a cast of young actors of many different colors and sizes on stage. The creators of this musical didn't know what was in store when they created this great piece of American musical theatre. I love going to the theatre when someone in the audience gets pissed off and leaves. Religion and politics are two topics that we shy away from in conversations; we even shy away from these topics with our friends and family members. Pieces of theatre such as this, I love. I hope you have a chance to witness this brandish/ brilliant piece of musical theatre. Bring Kim Burrell and maybe she can refrain from the hateful rhetoric and "Turn It Off."

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The BOOK OF MORMON now playing at The Hobby Center through January 15th. For more information, visit hobby.centerhouston.net.

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