Post by santtu on Apr 17, 2011 10:07:33 GMT -5
Yes, this show contains strong language and profanities, makes fun of organized religion - but hey, what can you expect from the creators of SOUTH PARK and one of the writers of AVENUE Q!? 
I had read some of the reviews of this show before seeing it, and was interested in seeing if I would actually agree with them.
Mostly, I did. But not with all of them.
In short, the show is about two young Mormon men, Elder Price, an all-American, good-looking, every mother's dream son-in-law type - and Elder Cunningham, a stucky 'weirdo' with a tendency to exaggerate/lie. These two are paired as a missionary team and sent off to Uganda for two years. Once in Africa they realize that their mission is going to be a lot harder than either one of them had thought.
The book, music and lyrics have been written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (the creators of SOUTH PARK) and Robert Lopez (one of the creators of AVENUE Q). So there's quite a lot of curse words (mostly the f-word), one of the show's songs actually being called "Fu*k you, God!"!! The score is very much in the same style as AVENUE Q and SOUTH PARK: a lot of uptempo, cheerful melodies with lyrics one doesn't necessarily expect to hear in tunes like those. The book moves forward in a nice speed, most of the scenes are not too long. The characters aren't the most layered ones ever written and not really a stretch for any actor, but each character fills his/her spot perfectly.
The only things I didn't really care for in this show were a couple of songs. "Baptize me" and "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" were both boring as songs and the latter was way too long as a scene - no matter how 'rich' the staging was. And "Man Up" was a bit of a let-down as an Act I Finale.
However, the show had great moments too, the opening number "Hello!" was clever way to introduce subject matter to the audience with a dozen of Mormon guys going door-to-door ringing door bells and talking to people. In addition of "Hello!" I also liked the songs "You and me (but mostly me!)", "Turn it off" and "Sal Tlay Ka Siti" and "I believe". It had some songs and scenes that were spoofs/tributes(?) to some familiar show tunes and scenes ("Hasa Diga Eebowai" <--> "Hakuna matata" LION KING, the beginning of "I believe" reminded of "I have confidence" from SOUND OF MUSIC, "Joseph Smith American Moses" was like the "Small House of Uncle Thomas" from THE KING AND I).
The performers were good in their roles. Andrew Rannells was excellent choice to play Elder Price. Josh Gad was off so the role of Elder Cunningham was played by Jared Gertner who was very good.
Even though the show is full of strong language etc. (which doesn't really bother me), I found it to be warm and it had heart. It didn't make fun of the guys sent in Uganda nor the Africans, but the situations these people faced and it did make fun of organized religion, ratings of converted natives are more important than faith itself. I'd like to know what real Mormons think about this show, after seeing it.
An enjoyable show, great fun! If you are a fan of SOUTH PARK and/or AVENUE Q, go and see this one. A little bit more risqué show than your usual Broadway show perhaps, but lots of fun and enjoyable music. It doesn't really reach the same warmth and great feeling that AVENUE Q did by the time the final curtain falls, but I can recommend this show to anyone over 15 years of age and who isn't bothered by strong language.
I had read some of the reviews of this show before seeing it, and was interested in seeing if I would actually agree with them.
Mostly, I did. But not with all of them.
In short, the show is about two young Mormon men, Elder Price, an all-American, good-looking, every mother's dream son-in-law type - and Elder Cunningham, a stucky 'weirdo' with a tendency to exaggerate/lie. These two are paired as a missionary team and sent off to Uganda for two years. Once in Africa they realize that their mission is going to be a lot harder than either one of them had thought.
The book, music and lyrics have been written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (the creators of SOUTH PARK) and Robert Lopez (one of the creators of AVENUE Q). So there's quite a lot of curse words (mostly the f-word), one of the show's songs actually being called "Fu*k you, God!"!! The score is very much in the same style as AVENUE Q and SOUTH PARK: a lot of uptempo, cheerful melodies with lyrics one doesn't necessarily expect to hear in tunes like those. The book moves forward in a nice speed, most of the scenes are not too long. The characters aren't the most layered ones ever written and not really a stretch for any actor, but each character fills his/her spot perfectly.
The only things I didn't really care for in this show were a couple of songs. "Baptize me" and "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" were both boring as songs and the latter was way too long as a scene - no matter how 'rich' the staging was. And "Man Up" was a bit of a let-down as an Act I Finale.
However, the show had great moments too, the opening number "Hello!" was clever way to introduce subject matter to the audience with a dozen of Mormon guys going door-to-door ringing door bells and talking to people. In addition of "Hello!" I also liked the songs "You and me (but mostly me!)", "Turn it off" and "Sal Tlay Ka Siti" and "I believe". It had some songs and scenes that were spoofs/tributes(?) to some familiar show tunes and scenes ("Hasa Diga Eebowai" <--> "Hakuna matata" LION KING, the beginning of "I believe" reminded of "I have confidence" from SOUND OF MUSIC, "Joseph Smith American Moses" was like the "Small House of Uncle Thomas" from THE KING AND I).
The performers were good in their roles. Andrew Rannells was excellent choice to play Elder Price. Josh Gad was off so the role of Elder Cunningham was played by Jared Gertner who was very good.
Even though the show is full of strong language etc. (which doesn't really bother me), I found it to be warm and it had heart. It didn't make fun of the guys sent in Uganda nor the Africans, but the situations these people faced and it did make fun of organized religion, ratings of converted natives are more important than faith itself. I'd like to know what real Mormons think about this show, after seeing it.
An enjoyable show, great fun! If you are a fan of SOUTH PARK and/or AVENUE Q, go and see this one. A little bit more risqué show than your usual Broadway show perhaps, but lots of fun and enjoyable music. It doesn't really reach the same warmth and great feeling that AVENUE Q did by the time the final curtain falls, but I can recommend this show to anyone over 15 years of age and who isn't bothered by strong language.