Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The creators of television's "South Park" (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) and the composer of the Tony-winner "Avenue Q" (Robert Lopez) got together to celebrate their love of traditional musicals, fascination with Mormons and penchant for potty-mouthed, on-the-money parody. The result was the musical "The Book of Mormon," which launched on Broadway two years ago today and went on to win nine Tony Awards, including best musical.
The show anointed by The New York Times' Ben Brantley as "heaven on Broadway" continues at a sold-out pace today, with productions in Chicago and London and a national tour that hits the Benedum Center Tuesday for a two-week run.
5 comments:
It is quite remarkable just to contemplate what people find entertaining or funny these days. A show like The Book of Mormon probably would not have flown had it been just a couple decades ago. But the outrageous ticket prices clearly tell us that the raunchy and politically incorrect humor of the show is a hit with audiences today. I also find it intriguing that the Church of Latter Day Saints isn't abruptly disregarding or disapproving of the show, but is instead advertising n the playbill. I think it's a good example of how a group who is being poked at can handle it in a positive manner.
I agree 100% with Jacquelyn. It is extremely interesting to look at the type of shows that are successful today. When comparing this show to the comedies of seasons, years, and decades past, it is evident that the type of comedy has changed. Raunchy and explicit humor has become widely successful and popular in the world. Even before Book of Mormon, Broadway was faced with the crude humor of 'The Producers' and 'Avenue Q', and those proved to be smash hits. So much so that 'Avenue Q' won the Tony for Best Musical and continues its run currently off-broadway at New World Stages. It is clear that the audiences eat shows like 'Avenue Q' and 'Book of Mormon' right up! If a run has been sold out for this long, and tickets are going at full price, it is clear that they are doing something right. I think this show was basically a model for this years 'Holy Moses' in the way that 'Holy Moses' was crude, rude, and offensive, but the audience ate it up! It just goes to show that times are changing...
I really want to see that however I do not have the money. But it sounds hilarious. Maybe a little over the top but clearly not too far or it wouldn't be so wildly successful. I have read a lot about the show itself so the part of the article that stands out to me is the about what Mormons actually believe. I try my best not to judge other religions but its hard when it comes to certain things (most of those have to do with basic human rights). In this case I'm having a little trouble moving past "Jesus visited America and that the Garden of Eden was located in Jackson County, Mo." I was unaware. This sounds like something out of a silly children's book I wonder how such a religion got to be so large. If this offends anyone I am sorry, I would love to talk to you about it though.
While I will always be the first person in line to applaud Matt and Trey, they have not invented anything new here. The have been many shows in the past that have poked fun at sensitive matters in the days culture (The Producers anyone?). Yes, Stone and Parker have masterfully done this feat, but lets not be so quick to disregard all of those writers and directors that paved the way and provided influence for artist like Stone and Parker to run with.
I was fortunate enough to be able to see this show when it came to Pittsburgh just a few months ago and there are so many things that this show has going for it. It has the absolutely hysterical and new, along with catchy music and great sets. But as Sharon Eberson states, the thing that "Book" has going for it is supply and demand. People want to see something that is new and maybe not necessarily an older book show. The fact that the tour began so quickly after starting on Broadway shows how much demand is for it. With this demand, the ticket prices have been so high, which is great for the theatre industry, showing that there is actual interest in new types of shows.
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