Book of Mormon Review

By Susan Lazarus

On a trip to New York City earlier this year, we were fortunate to snag two tickets during the previews of the musical play, “Book of Mormon.”

As expected,Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park, along with Robert Lopez of Avenue Q , have introduced a smart , funny, creative and irreverent  play to Broadway. What wasn’t expected was the great music, dance, a genuine fun atmosphere and an overall sweetness that we experienced.

Book of Mormon explains how young boys of the faith are sent all over the world to spread the message of Joseph Smith, an American who started the Mormon religion.

While the most able of the group dreams of going to Orlando, the magical town of happiness and Disney World, he winds up in Uganda with the least popular of the group. Through a series of disappointments, including trying to convert Africans and dealing with primitive superstitions, the two new missionaries learn as much about themselves as what they are trying to teach the native Ugandans.

The play gives us an opportunity to have a sense of humor about ourselves, our world, and religious beliefs while highlighting the Mormon religion. Rather than being an attack of the religion, the message in the musical is that we can look at our own stories and beliefs and realize, “it just a metaphor” for life, not something we need to believe word for word.

This play is receiving rave reviews and is highly recommended.  We saw it in previews and are not surprised at the outpouring of praise. Go with an open mind and heart and yuck it up with the rest of the audience!

Ed. Note: Susan Lazarus is a writer who covers travel destinations, restaurant and theater reviews as well as literary reviews.