The Book Of Mormon

The Book Of Mormon
Book, Music & Lyrics: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Anne Garefino, Scott Rudin, Important Musicals, John Frost Production. Director: Casey Nicholaw & Trey Parker. Music Director: David Young. Choreography: Casey Nicholaw. Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane. Opening Night 20 March 2019

After playing a year in Melbourne and a year in Sydney, The Book of Mormon is finally pushing Brisbane’s doorbell. One of the funniest musicals to come out of Broadway this century, the show is outrageous, blasphemous, rude, vulgar, and a heavenly slice of musical comedy that hilariously zips along for an exuberant two-hour ride.

Written by the guys who created South Park and Avenue Q, Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez, with direction by Parker and Casey Nicholaw, it’s a clone of the Broadway production with an Australian cast peppered with Mormon alumni from Broadway and the US tours.

The fish-out-of-water scenario where two innocents are sent to spread the Mormon gospel to Uganda and one of them screws it up, is such an original idea that it’s no wonder it’s picked up multiple awards around the world. The book is clever and funny, the songs, which occasionally slyly nod to Wicked and Alan Menken, are musical-comedy manna, and the choreography just keeps getting more inventive as the show goes along. “Turn it Off” is a tap-dancing delight, while “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream” is a wonderfully entertaining visit to Satan’s lair.

You couldn’t help but love the ego-centric Elder Price as played by Blake Bowden. With great comedic flair, nimble footwork, and diva vocal chops, he not only made every song land but gave the show its heart. His “I Believe” was a showstopper. Opposite him as Elder Cunningham, a gift of a role, Canadian Nyk Bielak was equally adept with punching the gags home, held his own in the dance department, and also sang up a storm. His “Man Up” was a rock ‘n’ roll blast.

VCA Graduate Tigist Strode was a feisty and appealing Nabulungi and marked her centre-stage moment “Sal Tlay Ha Siti” with an arresting touch of tenderness. Tyson Jennette impressed as Mafala, as did Augustin Aziz Tchantcho as the warlord, Joel Granger as Elder McKinley, and Andrew Broadbent in multiple roles.

The band under David Young was articulated with great energy, but it was Nicholaw’s routines that stole the spotlight.

Peter Pinne

Photographer: Jeff Busby.

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