Book of Mormon, The Lyrics
The Book of Mormon is an irreverent musical comedy, surely one of the brassiest and bawdiest ever, about religion and religious practice, but usually being so right-on in its satire. The libretto was written by Trey Parker, the lyrics by Robert Lopez, and the music by Matt Stone. The same team is responsible for this triplet of the massively popular animated series South Park, justly famed for its unflinching satire on all aspects of society.
The plot follows two young, naïve Mormon missionaries who are dispatched to a faraway village in Uganda to spread their faith. But this doesn't last for long when they quickly learn that the villagers are faced with more pressing concerns: AIDS, violence from a local warlord, famine, and other difficulties that make their newfound religion seem trivial. Quick to find a way to interface with the villagers - albeit not exactly in the way they thought - the missionaries soon do so using a combination of personal charm, odd methods, and the derivation of metaphorical stories. Instead of converting the villagers to the traditional Mormonism, they end up inspiring them to a whole new, singular religion based on their experiences.
Development of The Book of Mormon began in 2003, and it was only in 2008 that the project got massive attention. With producer Scott Rudin, also of South Park fame, the musical was finally slated to hit Broadway at Eugene O'Neill Theatre in 2011. Even more noteworthy than that, at a stage in the preproduction process, there is even a direct consultation with the Mormon Church itself and instead of avoiding the show by all possible means; very favorable reviews were actually given by it. The Church even went the extent of purchasing tickets for the opening night, showing an admirably liberal attitude towards the material within the performance.
The critical reception for The Book of Mormon was overwhelming. Its audiences and critics were amazed by its sparkling humor, pinpoint satire, and very high production value. The show went on to win a total of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ensure its place in the modern classics of musical theater. In 2013, the musical crossed the Atlantic and played on London's West End, where critical and commercial success continued to flourish. It also embarked on two national tours across the United States.
Since then, The Book of Mormon has become one of the most durable and popular new musicals of the 21st century. The show has been performed in multiple countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, and several European nations. Despite its sharp controversies, The Book of Mormon has remained a fan favorite due to the sharpness in the writing, the catchiness of the music, and the way it's able to match humor with deeper social commentary.
With the ability of the musical to address serious issues lightly, it has provided the favorite of many in terms of theater performances—almost making it a number one choice for those who love both traditional and adventurous, risky stages. Being exhibited even today in major cities of the world, The Book of Mormon comes as an affirmation to the real force that sarcasm bears and sustains with well-chosen, jolly, smartly crafted musical comedy.
Release date: 2011
Last Update:August, 10th 2024