“The Book Of Mormon” is an explosion of fantastic talent and super entertainment. Here is one show you are guaranteed to get your money’s worth. The performers put forth such amazing talent and energy. The original production received nine 2011 Tony awards. The cast in this production is spot-on with outstanding performances by every person who tirelessly steps on the Curran stage.
The creators of “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and composer of “Avenue Q,” Robert Lopez, are responsible for this blasphemous, outrageous, profane collaboration of this hugely successful musical. If you think you’ll be offended by language, religion, race, gender, sex, phallic symbols, body functions, sexual orientation, nationality, Disney World, “Star Trek,” “Star Wars,” “The Lord of the Rings” and so much more, I suggest you try for an evening of TV with Martha Stewart or “Sesame Street.”
“The Book Of Mormon” tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries sent to a remote village in Uganda where the lives of the villagers are threatened by a vicious warlord. The villagers are more worried about poverty, famine, war and AIDS than religion.
Casey Nicholaw’s exciting, energetic choreography and direction, along with Parker, bring in a blockbuster that will not be easily forgotten.
All that being said, the whole production comes off with a gentle, delightful charm that is hard to understand unless you are there. Even the Mormon Church took ads in the Playbill suggesting “You’ve seen the play … now read the book.” It sends the message that fantasy is not the remedy for reality, but kindness toward others is.
This is obviously not for the overly sensitive, politically correct crowd, but somewhere in there is a message that rings a solid bell, and you can’t help enjoying yourself while you hear the outrageous ringing.
Spend a high-powered evening with “The Book Of Mormon” (if you can find a ticket), and you’ll leave the theatre rejuvenated. This is a solid presentation that doesn’t stop to catch its breath.
Where: Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St., San Francisco
Through: Dec. 30
Tickets: Seats are sold out, but a limited number of $29 tickets are available through a daily lottery two hours before the show. For details call 888-746-1799 or visit www.shnsf.com.
