BWW Reviews: BOOK OF MORMON a Merciful Look into Missionary Positions You Never Considered

Knock knock! Who's there? Mormon.

More men? Come on in!

Now on stage at the lavish Fisher Theatre is the musical comedy, "The Book of Mormon," a hilarious romp through the time-honored missionary positions made famous by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, this high-energy satire is the hottest performance of the season.

Starring Mark Evans as Elder Kevin Price and Christopher John O'Neill as Elder Arnold Cunningham, the comedy duo bring convulsive comedy to the stage rivaling veteran actors Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Each elder attempts to spread the good news in his own way; Arnold seems to pull scripture out of his a$$ to fit whatever point he is trying to promote. Kevin tries the traditional method but winds up having to pull the actual book out of his a$$ after it was unceremoniously placed there by a terrorist. It's never fun being the butt of a joke.

The show is brilliant in capturing the naïve and optimistic nature of Mormon missionaries. Those of us who are into family history are likely knowledgeable of Mormon genealogical records and the resources available from the church, as genealogy is inextricably tied to the religion. According to myth / stereotype / rumors / comedians, etc., Mormons believe that when you convert to Mormonism and your soul is saved, you also save the souls of all your ancestors (or at least give them the chance to be saved). Once you are saved, you get your own planet. It's a wonderful deal, you know. In the musical, Arnold wants his own planet, and Kevin wants to live in his own private Disney World. The playwrights take every opportunity to exploit religion for the sake of comedy, but that didn't stop the Mormon Church from taking out three ads in the playbill. Nothing in the musical is meant to be taken seriously. It's good to know we are laughing with them, not at them.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series, "South Park." Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, Avenue Q. The musical is choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python's Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and sound design by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. Music direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording for THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.

Performance times for THE BOOK OF MORMON, appearing through March 24, 2013 at the Fisher Theatre, located at 3011 W. Grand Blvd., in Detroit, are:

- Tuesday through Saturday performances at 8:00 p.m.

- Sunday evening performances at 7:30 p.m.

- Saturday and Sunday matinee performances at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket prices for the Detroit engagement of THE BOOK OF MORMON start at $49 (includes facility fees and parking in the Fisher Building surface lot or outdoor parking structure) and will go on sale to the public on Friday, January 18 at 10 a.m. at the Fisher Theatre box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-800-982-2787, and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com. There is a four ticket purchase limit per person. For additional information, call (313) 872-1000 or visit www.BroadwayinDetroit.com.

For additional information, visit www.BookofMormonTheMusical.com or www.BroadwayInDetroit.com.

Mark Evans, Derrick Williams THE BOOK OF MORMON First National Tour (c) Joan Marcus, 2013

Phyre Hawkins, Mark Evans, Christopher John O'Neill

THE BOOK OF MORMON First National Tour (c) Joan Marcus, 2013

THE BOOK OF MORMON First National Tour Company (c) Joan Marcus, 2013

THE BOOK OF MORMON First National Tour Company(c) Joan Marcus, 2013

Mark Evans THE BOOK OF MORMON First National Tour (c) Joan Marcus, 2013