The Book of Mormon: The Musical
Trey Parker & Matt Stone discuss Mormonism at TAM5:
“When you read the beginnings of Mormonism, when you read the Joseph Smith story, you’re just like ‘Wow … wow, really?’ The idea of anybody like Joseph Smith, who can get people to give him money and let him have sex with their wives, I know ‘respect’ is the wrong word, but there’s something incredible about that. I want to know more about *those* guys. That’s just fascinating.”
All About The Mormons? (Commentary by Trey Parker & Matt Stone):
That South Park episode spawned an apologetic website ( South Park Mormon ) and garnered a mention at the LDS Newsroom:
When the comedy writers for South Park produced a gross portrayal of Church history, individual Church members no doubt felt uncomfortable. But once again it inflicted no perceptible or lasting damage to a church that is growing by at least a quarter of a million new members every year.
I think I’ve still got some old “Yes on 8” signs lying around somewhere that I can repurpose for the protest I’ve planned. Any suggestions for pithy signage? Someone suggested “Joseph Smith died, Matt & Trey lied” but that seems awfully morbid. For anyone planning on catching the show who’d like to show up a half-hour early and join us on the sidewalk, please remember white shirts and ties for the guys, Sunday best for the gals, cheers!
Tickets go on sale to the general public November 19th. Previews begin February 24, 2011.
Update: New York Times Arts Beat blog:
Book of Mormon Announces Cast and Designers:
Josh Gad, a correspondent on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, and Andrew Rannells (Jersey Boys) will play Elders Cunningham and Price, a pair of mismatched Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place thats about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get, as described in a press release. Other cast members include Nikki M. James (All Shook Up), Rory OMalley (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Michael Potts (Grey Gardens) …
Previews begin at the Eugene ONeill Theater on Feb. 24, with opening night set for March 24.
Hey, that was Mr Deity asking that question!
Great catch!
If I have money, I’m there.
I actually agree with the LDS PR guys that South Park is helping Mormon members, if not the LDS Church. A little derision can go a long way to put things into perspective and hone our judgment.
The claim about a quarter million member annual growth is, of course, ridiculous. Not only is that number the result of unethical and unsustainable games but, more importantly, every survey on the topic shows that we are losing members faster than we can baptize converts in the United States.
It’s not much better in the rest of the world.
I’m with Hellmut — if anything, it makes the Mormons look human and fun. Just what the CoJCoL-dS’s ham-handed TV ad campaign was shooting for…
I’d love to see it. Maybe if I get my next grant I’ll treat myself to a trip to Broadway to see it!
I agree with Hellmut, too, and that probably explains why the bloggernacle is so eager to book an interview with Matt & Trey. That said, if anyone’s thinking this is gonna be Napoleon Dynamite redux, I think they’re gonna be shocked and disappointed.
By the way, I’ve got a sister in Brooklyn, and I’m seriously thinking of using this show as an excuse to visit, so if anyone needs to save money by crashing on a couch or floor, let me know as we get closer to the opening week.
By the way, speaking of ham-handed TV ad campaigns, try this:
Head over to Google and type “why are there so many” into the search field and watch the suggestions that pop up:
Of course, the good news is that stink bugs are still considered even more annoying.
It’s human nature to fear (or in this case, make fun of what you don’t understand). The Book of Mormon does make some bold statements, the question is “Will you live your life as a passenger or as the pilot?” I implore you all if you do desire a closer walk with your God, then accept this ‘pepsi’ challenge & read The Book of Mormon for yourselves…gain your very own testimony, and not let the mainstream media tell you how to think…
“We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3-5)” -Introduction (The Book of Mormon)
What does Moroni 10:3-5 say…
“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, The Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”
slickyricardo — Here’s my counter-challenge: stick around and read a bit of our discussion with an open mind. At the very least, I hope you’ll see why imploring us to “read The Book of Mormon for yourselvesgain your very own testimony, and not let the mainstream media tell you how to think” is a total non-sequitur. (Hint: What makes you think we haven’t?)
I think they should stage that musical Rocky Horror Picture style with audience participation. For example, we could have a fast and testimony meeting.
Isn’t the endowment movie/ceremony already a little like that? 😉
Pat Bagley’s latest cartoon takes on Mormon hand-wringing over the BOM musical:
“It saddens me when outsiders take something sacred and turn it into a spectacle.”