The longevity and wild popularity of The Book of Mormon come as no surprise to its fans or, frankly, any one of the more than 20 million people worldwide who has seen this Broadway hit that opened in 2011.
Written by animated comedy South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone in collaboration with Avenue Q co-writer Robert Lopez, the show (one of the longest-running in Broadway history) is a satire of religion, particularly Mormonism, shot through with adolescent boy bathroom humor; but at its heart it pays homage to the Church of Musical Theatre, worshiping at the altar of Rogers and Hammerstein, riffing on grand musical traditions that precede it.
The Book of Mormon tells a ridiculous story of how a couple of mismatched, adorable, enthusiastic Mormon missionaries attempt to convince an African village to join their church. Scrotum maggots, exceedingly sensual baptisms, choreographed dysentery, sex with amphibians (instead of babies), and hoses as thwacking phalluses ensue amid compulsive lies and crises of both identity and faith.
A community of Ugandans giving God the middle finger in a most exuberant and tuneful way in response to the poverty and AIDS that has befallen them is but one of many surprisingly delightful numbers in the show.
Indeed, the big ensemble numbers are the best part of The Book of Mormon. The 9-piece orchestra led by Braden Chudzik is exceptional. Original choreography by Casey Nicholaw reimagined by Director Jennifer Werner is inspired and runs the gamut from Busby Berkeley-style tap to African dance to hip-hop, to Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring and beyond. For example, part West Side Story, part Flashdance, with a nod to The Karate Kid, “Man Up,” offers a gang of Mormons, with a punk flair in costumes from Ann Roth, who, amid pelvic thrusts, sing about how Jesus had to “man up.” It’s a scream, and but one of many huge numbers that make this show such a treat.
The cast is pitch perfect, with a tight ensemble and exquisite leads. Sam McLellan is a dynamic and charismatic Elder Price, and he makes the personal transformation of this character feel nuanced and real. He more than does justice to “I Believe.” Jacob Aune plays the nerd Elder Cunningham to the hilt, but also with sympathy and subtlety when needed, all to great hilarity. And Charity Arianna plays a warm, real Nabulungi. Her ballads and duets with Aune are gorgeous and bold.
The Book of Mormon has still got it. This is the third time a national tour of this show has stopped in Grand Rapids and it’s as funny, lewd, smart, and delightful as ever. This production is a terrifically fine musical comedy in the classic sense that is also a laugh-out-loud, sometimes shocking, yet heartfelt satire that pokes fun at and celebrates the rituals we hold dear as well as the absurdities we shake our heads at.
The Book of Mormon
Broadway Grand Rapids
Nov. 4-9
https://grandrapids.broadway.com/shows/the-book-of-mormon/
