The Book of Mormon

“And God said ‘Let there be light’” (Genesis 1:3). And of course, there was light: fantastic stage lighting in fact, together with mirror balls and tap dancing, in the hilariously irreverent, eagerly anticipated and blatantly irreligious fable unfolding now in Adelaide’s experience of The Book of Mormon.

What a hoot it is! And exactly what one might expect from its creators, the brilliantly satirical and wacky South Park writers Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone.

Not a single politically correct convention escapes from being thrown ‘butt’ up, way beyond the proscenium arch, as the audience is left gasping at the ‘did they really just say that?’ scathing and hilarious wit of this show. Throwing straight-faced mud at our human weaknesses, social divides, the societal and health chasms occurring in race discrimination, this show does it all and more, but its towering impact is in its satirical treatment of the ‘God will provide’ platitudes religion seems to spout in the face of the realities of life for the suffering masses.

Sent to a remote village in Uganda to secure their expected quota of baptisms, two new, wide-eyed and enthusiastic young Mormon Elders, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham find life in wildest Africa is nothing like what they expected. Why, the huts don’t even have doorbells to ring! But most of the people do have something else; AIDS. Plus, they despise Western religion, something that has only ever brought ruin and disease to them and not solved any of their issues. Living under the murderous control of a thuggish overlord and his gang, they are going to be tough to crack for the innocent Mormon Elders. When, in order to achieve baptisms, Elder Cunningham lets his vivid imagination influence his telling of the Book of Mormon to the villagers, hilariously bizarre events ensue.

While all cast are terrific including many in multiple roles, the main protagonists produce wonderful performances. Elder Price is the classic ‘Mormon at the door’- handsome, clean cut, in immaculate white shirt and tie, with a broad, earnest smile full of teeth as white as his shirt. Blake Bowden portrays this stereotype to the hilt, producing a fantastic performance. He has a singing voice to die for and a very good sense of comic timing.

Audience favourite- and mine when I attended- was the nerdy ‘try hard’, Elder Cunningham.  Nyk Bielak gives a magnificent performance in both acting and singing, bringing out the subtleties of this endearing character; the chubby, lonely young man, who more than anything, wants to fit in.

Joel Granger is also a superb talent. His very funny characterisation of Elder McKinley is a delight and his dance skills are faultless. Granger simply owns the stage whenever he appears.

Tigist Strode as Nabalungi is wonderful, as is Tyson Jennette as Mafala.

Musical numbers are truly ingenious, with totally hilarious lyrics. Choreography is wonderful, ensuring memorable highlights. I particularly enjoyed “Hello” with its lineup of wide-eyed, bright-smiled Elders, “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” that exposes the vanity and privilege of Elder Price, “Hasa Diga Eeebowai”, a number that side-splittingly exposes what the villagers really think of religion and “I Am Here for You”, a touching tribute to loyalty and friendship (not to mention ‘nerdism’). The scene in which tap dancers add a costume piece in brief darkness while singing “Turn it Off” is brilliant; how do they do that?

A remount of the Broadway show, the production values are highly professional, with exactly the right ‘flavour’ in technical and set design to keep the story flowing from Salt Lake City to remote Uganda. I particularly loved the ‘tacky’ rotating golden angel.

Direction by Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker is tight, while choreography, also by Casey Nicholaw, is exceptional. Musical Direction by David Young of the fine musicians is sublime.

I will never again look in the same way upon those earnest young Mormon men who come to my door. Suffice to say, though, after seeing where their actual book ends up in this show, I won’t be buying one.

However, I highly recommend you trek, even if on a long and grueling mission, to anywhere you can buy the ticket that enables you to hear a very ‘different’ account of that message, the fabulous, multi-award-winning The Book of Mormon.

Lesley Reed

Photographer: Jeff Busby