Robert Bouton
2011-09-13 01:01:30 UTC
A number of years ago, when this newsgroup was full of activity, many
wished for the return of musical comedy to Broadway. Shows that were
actually funny, with original stories, like City of Angels, Top Banana
or The Boy Friend. Those prayers have been answered with The Book of
Mormon, an utterly traditional musical with one of those scores that
gets into your head and refuses to exit.
And unlike some previous works with Casey Nicholaw choreography, The
Book of Mormon not only respects Broadway musicals, it proves it loves
them. Old school aficionados might recognize references to Rodgers
and Hammerstein, but they're not there to mock them in any way. It's
just that, at times, the loony plot calls for something similar to
something in R&H. The reference is therefore a knowing nudge to fans
of traditional mid-century musicals: not saying "this is bad" but
"this is good."
Exactly one joke broke the fourth wall, and I'm betting it will be cut
for the tour, as it involves a piece of the set.
Surprisingly, among the folks who love ...Mormon most are religious
people. And yes, that includes actual Mormons. While certain tenets
are mocked, the Mormons depicted are admirable and lovable people.
And the musical has something to say about the power of faith and the
use of missionaries. At a time in which American involvement oversees
is being re-evaluated by people of all political stripes, it's
particularly fun to watch the cluelessness of young men traveling from
Utah to Uganda, making all sorts of wrong assumptions.
The book is funnier than the lyrics, but that's true of many recent
musical comedy hits including The Producers, ...Spelling Bee,
Hairspray and The Drowsy Chaperone. It would seem hilarious lyricists
are a dying breed. But a lot of the songs ARE very funny, and the
cast is fully invested in each ridiculous action. It's a lot of fun.
wished for the return of musical comedy to Broadway. Shows that were
actually funny, with original stories, like City of Angels, Top Banana
or The Boy Friend. Those prayers have been answered with The Book of
Mormon, an utterly traditional musical with one of those scores that
gets into your head and refuses to exit.
And unlike some previous works with Casey Nicholaw choreography, The
Book of Mormon not only respects Broadway musicals, it proves it loves
them. Old school aficionados might recognize references to Rodgers
and Hammerstein, but they're not there to mock them in any way. It's
just that, at times, the loony plot calls for something similar to
something in R&H. The reference is therefore a knowing nudge to fans
of traditional mid-century musicals: not saying "this is bad" but
"this is good."
Exactly one joke broke the fourth wall, and I'm betting it will be cut
for the tour, as it involves a piece of the set.
Surprisingly, among the folks who love ...Mormon most are religious
people. And yes, that includes actual Mormons. While certain tenets
are mocked, the Mormons depicted are admirable and lovable people.
And the musical has something to say about the power of faith and the
use of missionaries. At a time in which American involvement oversees
is being re-evaluated by people of all political stripes, it's
particularly fun to watch the cluelessness of young men traveling from
Utah to Uganda, making all sorts of wrong assumptions.
The book is funnier than the lyrics, but that's true of many recent
musical comedy hits including The Producers, ...Spelling Bee,
Hairspray and The Drowsy Chaperone. It would seem hilarious lyricists
are a dying breed. But a lot of the songs ARE very funny, and the
cast is fully invested in each ridiculous action. It's a lot of fun.