The Young Review: The Book of Mormon

Now, at last, the review you've all been waiting for! Well, maybe not....but its certainly the show you all want to see!

Let me begin this show by saying it is NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY. Remember, this is the fusion of South Park and Avenue Q. Without any doubt, there is something in this show that will at the very least make EVERY SINGLE PERSON uncomfortable at the very least. That being said, here's what I think.

This show is a work of art. All the critics are absolutely right. This show has catchy music (Though like 'Catch Me...' the songs don't always advance the plot), outstanding dance numbers, incredible lighting, brilliant costumes, and a story that will touch your heart (if there's anything left of it after all of the swearing and genital mutilation). From here on out, there will be plenty of plot spoilers so if you don't want them, skip to the end!

Two Mormon missionaries are being sent to Uganda. One, Elder Price, is the epitome of a good Mormon; rich in knowledge, fervor, and a handsome devil to boot. The other, Elder Cunningham, is a sloppy but earnest pathological liar with all of the social skills of a porcupine. Together, they arrive in War torn Uganda, which they discover is nothing like the Lion King musical. They find themselves confronted with a tribe who's only prayers are an out streched middle finger to God (Complete with song and dance!). With the odds stacked against them, the two missionaries crack. Elder Price abandons Cunningham, hoping to return to Orlando, the city of his dreams. Elder Cunningham, having never actually read the Book of Mormon, decides to start taking liberties with the text, using stories pulled from the Book (with his own creative additions) to convince a man that raping babies will not cure his AIDS and ensure the people that genital mutilation is something to be resisted. United behind common ideals and the stories of Joseph Smith and the prophet Moronai from the Star Ship Enterprise, the people take heart and find themselves hopeful for a better life. But the local General (I'll spare you his name) does not want the people uniting under a common ideal. Elder Price, just having awoken from 'The Hell Dream' (A riveting song and dance number) decides to return, just in time to have attempt to convert the General himself and spare the village his wrath (This is where "I believe" fits in, that song you all saw at the Tonys). Elder Price ends up with the Book of Mormon lodged in his rectum, while Elder Cunningham manages to baptize the entire village. Price, a broken man, returns with Cunnigham to the village for the arrival of the President of the Mormon missions. Eager to show off their new found faith, the villagers put on a play of the Mormon history, which does not fit into the Book of Mormon at all. Disgraced, the President tells the villagers and missionaries they are "As far from Latter-Day Saints as can be!". Despite this, the villagers do not lose their new hope, because the stories were not meant to be literal anyway, only metaphorical. The truth of their religion comes from the application, not the study. The play ends with a rousing number that echoes the opening song, except with the Ugandan tribes people playing the part of the door to door missionaries.

Ben Brantley had it right. This show is something like a miracle. It makes you laugh, it offends you to the core, then it gives you something to believe in again. Its music is pleasurable and varied. The tap dance was phenomenal, and from everything I've heard way better than Anything Goes. The lightening design was spectacular, lending power to the action onstage. But the most important thing of all? It was an original idea. It is not a movie musical, it is not a revival, and while it talks a great deal about a book, it is not derived from a Book's story. This is what Broadway should be. Glitz, glamour, heart, and something you've never seen before. It's magic that only the stage can give.

Oh, and did I mention I won the lottery and sat in the middle of the first row?

My Rating ****** out of *****. That's right. 6 out of 5.