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The Book of Mormon Reviews
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| 31 |
Works on all levels. Review by: Tom Bestor, May 1, 2011 |
When “The Last Temptation of Christ” was released, many mainstream churches were in an uproar over a scene near the end of the film that depicts Christ living a life as husband to Mary Magdalene and father to their children. Blasphemy to even suggest that the Lord God was getting a little! That He could have a human side. There were protests outside theaters and the movie studio; people carried signs and promoted boycotts.
To my mind,... read more, Christian churches were missing a huge opportunity. Because when I watched the film, it nearly converted me. That scene of Jesus as a family man was the last temptation of the title. Satan’s final ploy to get Christ to give up all this “redeeming mankind” bull**** was to show him the happiness of an ordinary life: someone who loves you. Children to carry part of you on into the future. It could all be yours, Satan says. But Jesus lets himself be crucified anyway. For us! To give miserable losers like we humans a shot at eternal life. That’s the sort of guy people could accept as their personal savior.
There hasn’t been much protest over the massively profane “The Book of Mormon,” currently playing at the Eugene O’Neill Theater (the LDS Church released a one-sentence statement*, then wisely refrained from contributing to the publicity machine), but I can’t imagine it’s going to be on the itinerary for any church field trips, Mormon or otherwise.
Which is a shame. Not just because “The Book of Mormon” is the funniest thing on Broadway in a long, long time, maybe ever, but because it’s also maybe the most faith-promoting thing on Broadway ever. Or at least since the cancellation of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.”
Don’t get me wrong – it’s also the most blasphemous thing I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’ve been witness to some serious blasphemy. It’s profane, but not in the near-constant manner of David Mamet or “Deadwood." But when it is profane, it’s so over the top that it makes profane look like amateurfane.
And though it skewers Mormonism (with the sharpest kebab on the block) its underlying message is this: it doesn’t matter if it’s made up. Faith – even in a fiction – has value if it brings people together in a community and helps them be nicer to each other. As one of the songs says, “a Mormon just believes.” So does every pious Catholic, Lutheran, Muslim, Buddhist, Jain…and ultimately even every physicist. We all must, because nothing adequately explains why we’re here. And why we have the capacity to ask that question in the first place. Sure, it would be easier if there were some physical evidence of a supreme being, but as one of the characters says, the requirement for faith is “sort of what God was going for.”
But if you’re not in the mood for a faith-promoting musical, feel free to enjoy “The Book of Mormon” for any (or all) of its other compelling aspects. I think I’ve already mentioned that it’s funny. Silly funny, smart funny, gross funny…funny funny. The songs are bouncy and engaging, the cast is terrific…it works on all levels.
It just won’t work for all people. If you can’t see past the profanity and blasphemy to the soft, creamy center, if you’d rather be offended than entertained, try one of Broadway’s other options. “Anything Goes” for example. It’s also an A+ production, has better songs, and pretty much zero chance of offending.
*"The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people's lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ." |
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| 32 |
and the winner for Broadway Tony's....ITS This Play..So Go and Experience IT !!! Review by: Jay, Apr 24, 2011 |
This show is SOLD OUT and there is a reason for this. This PLAY is considered the Play of the Year, and I am Predicting Many Tony Awards including Best Play !!
From the Musical Score, the ensemble cast, the leads, the dance, the lyrics, EVRYTHING was a Grand Slam !!
All I have to say....Go by Plane, Train, Boat, Walk just go and ENJOY !!!!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 33 |
IT HAD ME FROM HELLO!!! Review by: Theatre Thyme, Apr 22, 2011 |
Amazing in almost every way. The cast, the songs funny but definitely sharp and biting, the dancing ,the sets. THe time flies and you cant imagine the momentum continuing.
THe audience gave at least a 10 minute standing ovation and it was so well deserved.
Original theatre at its very very best. May not be suitable for young teens but if you love a fun night and appreciate creativity get your ticket no matter what price and enjoy ... read more this fantastic show. Never been a huge South Park fan but the respect I have for Trey Parker and Matt Stone is threw the roof.
Proves you dont have to spend $65 million to create one of the best broadway musicals EVER!!!! |
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must see!
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Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Tourists
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| 34 |
Review by: dlubi711, Apr 19, 2011 |
| Very Very adult and very funny! If you aren't offended by anything, you will enjoy it. NOT FOR KIDS!!!!!! |
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| 35 |
Go See It!!!! Review by: , Apr 19, 2011 |
| Not only is this the hottest ticket on Broadway, it's also among the best written and most entertaining musicals currently running. Do not see this if you are offended by language or shockingly irreverent references to God and the church. I think the thing that surprised me the most was the tip of the hat (musically and lyrically) to many classic musicals that have appeared on broadway (The Lion King, Wicked, Company, West Side Story, etc). If ... read more you are reading this, then you probably already know the hype surrounding this show...and it delivers...over and over and over again. It delivers. It's a laugh a minute. Worth every penny and then some. |
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must see!
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| 36 |
Review by: Theater Fan, Apr 11, 2011 |
| I saw Book of Mormon last week - a fabulous show - the singing, dancing and acting was great. Terrific cast. True some might be offended but you must keep in mind it's written by the South Park 'guys'. So expect lots of profanity, irreverence and clever dialogue. All in all a wonderful show and right now a tough ticket to get but do try - you won't be sorry. |
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Blue Language But A Heart of Gold Review by: Concourse Diva, Mar 30, 2011 |
| If "The Producers" and "South Park" had a baby, it would be this show! This is an old fashioned musical worthy of Rogers and Hammerstein wrapped in a cloak of smutty, foul mouthed, shocking language and situations true to its' "South Park" origins that somehow manages to embrace the very religion it appears to mock. In light of most of the deeply flawed hot messes(we're talking to you, "Wonderland") or "rock revue as musical" (hello pretty ... read more much 2/3rds of the shows out there, now or in recent past) or the just plain boring (paging the now defunct "A Little Night Music")it stands out as a perfect musical and one that FEELS like a Broadway show when you're sitting in the audience--replete with stars in attendance, catchy, hummable tunes (although you won't be able to sing most of the intricately blue lyrics in public) infectious joy from every one of the incredibly hard-working performers, outrageous belly laughs, clever dance numbers, a terrific orchestra and a sweet message so old-fashioned it could be stitched on your great-grandmother's pillow, this is the musical those of us who came to NYC to be a part of the lauded tradition of Broadway have been waiting for. If nothing else, it will certainly make for a VERY interesting Tony Awards this year if they (to use a phrase from one of the best numbers in the show) "man up" and choose to allow any of the best (and blue-est)numbers to be a part of the televised show. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 38 |
Sick, Wrong, and Laugh-Out-Loud Hilarious Review by: aidel, Mar 27, 2011 |
| The Book of Mormon is wrong and sick -- but it is also brilliant and hilarious. A strong cast with fantastic musical numbers, this irreverent musical comedy leaves you upbeat, despite the fact that it deals with the depressing subject of unthinking religious fanatics. Book is tasteful in it's tastelessness as it keeps the dignity of Mormons intact, even while showing the absurdity of the optimism. The fact that it takes place in Uganda (a ... read more place where non-Mormon, right-wing, religious fanatics have done some real harm) can't be an accident and serves to remind us what seems like innocent adherence to false beliefs can also be dangerous, if left unchecked. I predict that this will be a big hit. |
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| 39 |
Go Review by: goldenboy, Mar 23, 2011 |
Wonderful. Go.
Best musical in years.
Seriously.
Lots of profanity but the profanity is very tasteful.
Really.
For all its silliness and irreverence it has a message about religion and hope
Casey Nicholow is a genius!
So are parker, stone and lopez!
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 40 |
HILARIOUS! Review by: Clarice, Mar 20, 2011 |
| What a great show! No tune in it that was even close to being lame. Cast was extremely polished. Orchestra sounded great playing the smart orchestrations. Sure, lots of "adult" language, but none that could be considered gratuitous for the message this show ultimately presented. This is smart humor - a show that actually delivers an incredible - and, for a real change, ORIGINAL product. Show tunes with actual melodies. Fun choreography. Go see ... read more this (but leave the kids at home). |
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My recommendation:
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| 41 |
Review by: ali, Mar 19, 2011 |
| Wonderful music, great staging and ABOLUTELY HILARIOUS! This should definitely win the Tony for best musical! The cast is magnificent as well. |
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Best Musical Tony Winner for Sure! Review by: DCjs, Mar 18, 2011 |
| The funniest and most clever thing to hit Broadway in a long time. The musical numbers just keep coming, one after the other. The first act is so jam-packed with wit and silliness that you can't stop laughing. It's the irreverent humor you expect from Stone and Parker, but with all the expletive lyrics and jabs at the absurdity of religion there is a sweetness and warmth that I didn't expect. The cast is energetic and appealing. ... read more BEST MUSICAL Tony for sure! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 43 |
This could be a BIG hit! Review by: , Mar 16, 2011 |
| We went this one because of the name and being in the Community of Christ - the "other" Morman church. This was a "hote" from begining to end. Every bit as good as Ave Q with even a good message about everyone help each other. The language might put some people off but it made a good point! The acting was out of this world and hope they keep the line about "being in preview" when it does open. Won't go wrong seeing this one!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 44 |
Review by: stevef, Mar 16, 2011 |
| A very funny and entertaining show. I am a 35 year old male and a big fan of South Park and Ave Q. So, I knew what kind of humor I was going to face. With creative sets and filled with lots of fun songs. A true enjoyment!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
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Take the chance and see it! It was AWESOME! Review by: Jen ME, Mar 14, 2011 |
| what a fantastic show! we had a diverse age group ranging from 19, 47 to 70 years young. Clever story line, wonderful music, and stage scenes were awesome. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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