Review: Say 'Hello' to the New Year with THE BOOK OF MORMON at The Paramount

That unstoppable juggernaut that is "The Book or Mormon" is back in Seattle and just as deliciously fun as ever. We all know how good the show is. We all know we're going to laugh our butts off at the crass humor while falling in love with the wonderful characters and infectious musical theater gold. So it all really just rests on the cast for this particular tour and let me say, they bring it as usual and even add in a few elements I've not seen in the show before.

For those unfamiliar with the show, no, they're not trying to lure you into the Mormon Church with a musical (although the full page ad in the program might lead you to believe something different). But no, the irreverent minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone (the guys behind "South Park") along with Robert Lopez (one of the creators of "Avenue Q" not to mention one of the writers of the music from "Frozen". Yes, he's responsible for your kids singing "Let it Go" on a loop) came up with this wonderfully twisted tale of two Mormon missionaries, the golden boy Elder Price (Billy Harrigan Tighe) and the awkward screw up Elder Cunningham (A.J. Holmes) going out to teach the word of the Mormon Church. But much to the chagrin of Elder Price who dreamed of being sent to Orlando, they're sent to a small village in Uganda where the current missionaries haven't brought a single person to the church. But how could they with the villagers so distraught over poverty, AIDS and the local warlord. But when even Elder Price fails, Elder Cunningham with the help of local girl Nabulungi (Alexandra Ncube) and some well placed exaggerations finds a way to get the villagers interested in the religion.

Yes, it's filled with jokes about poop and AIDS and having sex with frogs. But beyond all the tacky humor we've come to expect from "South Park" it also manages a wonderful underlying story and message and above all is a very smartly structured musical. In fact I've long credited their opening number "Hello" to be a near perfect opening number in that it sets up your two main characters, sets up your tone and is easily stuck in your head afterward not to mention that it's hilarious. So if there are still musical theater lovers out there who have shunned this show thinking it's just those "South Park" boys then you really haven't given it a chance. But I'll step off my soapbox now and get back to the review.

The tour cast is from Eebowai (God). Tighe makes for the perfect Ken Doll/Boy Scout with his perfect hair, chiseled features and over exuberance in himself. And that attitude only makes his fall from grace all the more hysterical and he plays it beautifully. Holmes manages to bring something a little different to Elder Cunningham in that he's not the usual fat guy they cast in the role. But his awkward outbursts and inappropriateness is only matched by his wonderful voice. I've already been a fan of his from his previous works with the equally irreverent musical theatre troupe StarKid and so his portrayal of this role is right up his alley and he grabs hold of it with both hands. Ncube is sweet and adorable and never once lets the naiveté of her lines come across as just jokes and her rendition of the beautiful "Sal Tlay Ka Siti" is totally heartfelt. And of course the rest of the ensemble is a thing of beauty right there with every bit and filling in those wonderful harmonies.

There's a reason the show sells out everywhere it goes. It's just that good. So if you can still manage to get a ticket for the rest of its run here then do it! The show has long had a WOW rating with my three letter rating system and this production does that WOW credit. So whether this is your first time seeing it or your 101st it's time to say "Hello" to "The Book of Mormon" before they say "Goodbye".

"The Book of Mormon" performs at the Paramount Theatre through January 10th. For tickets or information visit the Seattle Theatre Group online at www.stgpresents.org.

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