I’ll admit that I personally wrestled a bit with how to write a review on the Broadway play “The Book of Mormon.” The play was REALLY funny!
It was also EXTREMELY offensive and went WAY TOO FAR in my opinion for a few of the songs and yet it had redemptive qualities along the way too.
Ben Brantley of The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” Entertainment Weekly says it’s “the funniest musical of all time.” From South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, it’s The Book of Mormon, winner of nine Tony Awards® including Best Musical. Jon Stewart of The Daily Show calls it “a crowning achievement. So good it makes me angry.”
I knew going into it that the play would be offensive because of the creators. South Park is known for making fun of EVERYONE. The first few songs were squeaky clean so I was beginning to think that maybe it wouldn’t be that offensive and then there was the next song. There were several elements that were humorous and also challenged me because of growing up with a religious background. Especially, how sometimes people with great intentions can view people as a project to convert versus loving them as they are first.
Many elements of the storyline were lighthearted and sweet but also there were moments where it went to an EXTREME to make a point.
The two main characters were perfect for their roles. Mark Evans, who played the aspiring Mormon super missionary, Elder Price and Christopher John O’Neil who played the adorable and goofy Elder Cunningham.
The Book of Mormon is guaranteed to make you laugh with humor that ranges from Rated G all the way to Rated R and be warned that it will offend you too! I also found it interesting that the Church of Jesus of Latter Day Saints advertised in the playbill.
Performances January 7 – 26, 2014 at the Aronoff Center
THE BOOK OF MORMON will play the Aronoff Center, January 7 – 26, 2014 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm and on Sundays at 1:00pm and 6:30pm.
** All photo credit goes to Joan Marcus
For more information, please visit BroadwayinCincinnati.com.
The Aronoff is located at 650 Walnut St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Disclosure: I was given complimentary tickets for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
buy book of mormon tickets
The Book of Mormon is guaranteed to make you laugh with humor that ranges from Rated G all the way to Rated R and be warned that it will offend you too!
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com
Good review! I just saw this play a couple of weeks ago in LA with my husband and wrote a blog post about it too. I agree that it is amazingly funny and also outrageously irreverent. But as you say there are some amazingly sweet aspects to it as well. I’m very glad I went and it sounds like you were too!
Maryann Moore
Looks like a fun show!