"The Book of Mormon" on Broadway
May 9, 2011 6:35 AM Subscribe
From Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, and Robert Lopez, of Avenue Q, comes the new Broadway show "The Book of Mormon." The show "tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries sent off to spread the word in a dangerous part of Uganda" while gently (and no so gently) lampooning organized religion and traditional musical theatre. The entire show is now streaming on NPR. Songs are extremely Not Safe For Work.
I can't decide whether I want to listen and spoil myself, or wait until after I see the show.... decisions, decisions!! Thanks for posting :)
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:38 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:38 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
We saw the show last Wednesday and had a really good time.
TPS -- listen to the opening number. No spoilers there, just a really good opening number.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:40 AM on May 9, 2011
TPS -- listen to the opening number. No spoilers there, just a really good opening number.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:40 AM on May 9, 2011
If you listen to nothing else, listen to Hasa Diga Eebowai. I think this is probably the first Broadway show to use the phrase "Fuck God in the Cunt."
Maybe "The Sound of Music" did, too. I don't remember.
posted by ColdChef at 6:40 AM on May 9, 2011 [19 favorites]
Maybe "The Sound of Music" did, too. I don't remember.
posted by ColdChef at 6:40 AM on May 9, 2011 [19 favorites]
If you listen to nothing else, listen to Hasa Diga Eebowai. I think this is probably the first Broadway show to use the phrase "Fuck God in the Cunt."
Make sure that you're wearing headphones if you're at work.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:51 AM on May 9, 2011
Make sure that you're wearing headphones if you're at work.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:51 AM on May 9, 2011
Just a word of warning--don't eat or drink while listening, lest you choke & spray. Like I did.
posted by hexatron at 7:25 AM on May 9, 2011
posted by hexatron at 7:25 AM on May 9, 2011
And, in case you missed it, The Book of Mormon leads the Tony nominations this year. Which means there's a good chance that Matt & Trey will get the second leg in their EGOT this year.
posted by mhum at 7:39 AM on May 9, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by mhum at 7:39 AM on May 9, 2011 [5 favorites]
Trivia: "Fuck God in the Cunt" was first recorded as an alternate line said by Mae West to W. C. Fields in "My Little Chickadee". It ended up on the cutting room floor, but exists in a scratchy video available on the web.
Google couldn't find it for me, but I remember seeing it about a year ago. Maybe on Gawker?
posted by IAmBroom at 7:54 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Google couldn't find it for me, but I remember seeing it about a year ago. Maybe on Gawker?
posted by IAmBroom at 7:54 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
I think "Turn It Off" and "Hasa Diga Eebowai" are tied for funniest songs in the book.
posted by ShawnStruck at 8:22 AM on May 9, 2011
posted by ShawnStruck at 8:22 AM on May 9, 2011
I love this so very, very much. I wish I had a shot in hell (har) of actually seeing this show. It must be amazing.
Hasa Diga Eebowai, y'all!
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:00 AM on May 9, 2011
Hasa Diga Eebowai, y'all!
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:00 AM on May 9, 2011
I think Stone and Parker are funny and usually brilliant.
That being said: The Book of Mormon, like many of their projects, sounds like an excessively mean potshot aimed at an easy target, tuned for maximum shock.
It's okay to be gross and cynical, but that doesn't mean you should be lazy about it.
posted by Ratio at 9:04 AM on May 9, 2011
That being said: The Book of Mormon, like many of their projects, sounds like an excessively mean potshot aimed at an easy target, tuned for maximum shock.
It's okay to be gross and cynical, but that doesn't mean you should be lazy about it.
posted by Ratio at 9:04 AM on May 9, 2011
That being said: The Book of Mormon, like many of their projects, sounds like an excessively mean potshot aimed at an easy target, tuned for maximum shock.
Have you seen it yet? Most of the previews I've read point out that it's rather warm-hearted towards its Mormon protagoinsts.
Have you seen it yet? Most of the previews I've read point out that it's rather warm-hearted towards its Mormon protagoinsts.
The creative team behind the show manages to "avoid the self-congratulatory snark common to their generation of comedy writers.... Neither the Mormons nor the Ugandans are mocked for their belief systems; they're parodied for their mutual human fallibility."posted by muddgirl at 9:18 AM on May 9, 2011
That being said: The Book of Mormon, like many of their projects, sounds like an excessively mean potshot aimed at an easy target, tuned for maximum shock.
Honestly, I don't think so. It has less to do with LDS than with missionaries in general. It's just that Mormon missionaries are mostly teenagers, which adds to the humour. (See "Baptize Me.")
posted by Sys Rq at 9:21 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Honestly, I don't think so. It has less to do with LDS than with missionaries in general. It's just that Mormon missionaries are mostly teenagers, which adds to the humour. (See "Baptize Me.")
posted by Sys Rq at 9:21 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Not to mention, they are aiming just as much at mocking musical theater as much as anything else.
posted by mikepop at 9:23 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mikepop at 9:23 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Thank you so much for posting this. If I get fired for listening at work, even more thanks.
posted by theora55 at 9:23 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 9:23 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
It would take a lot to be excessively mean to the LDS Church after the Prop 8 debacle.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:24 AM on May 9, 2011 [9 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:24 AM on May 9, 2011 [9 favorites]
I had a Theater major explain to me how the South Park movie was a quintessential, classic American musical in its plot and music structure. Blew me away... it's no wonder an actual musical from the duo is a success.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:30 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:30 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
decisions, decisions!!
I know! I want to listen, because every review I've heard has been glowing, but I also want to have the music in context.
I've got it! I'll listen to it and then drink myself stupid so I forget! Not only does that plan totally make sense, it's going to make the rest of my work day a lot more entertaining!
posted by quin at 9:31 AM on May 9, 2011
I know! I want to listen, because every review I've heard has been glowing, but I also want to have the music in context.
I've got it! I'll listen to it and then drink myself stupid so I forget! Not only does that plan totally make sense, it's going to make the rest of my work day a lot more entertaining!
posted by quin at 9:31 AM on May 9, 2011
it's no wonder an actual musical from the duo is a success.
Actually a trio. The third writer is Robert Lopez, who won a Tony for Avenue Q.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:33 AM on May 9, 2011
Actually a trio. The third writer is Robert Lopez, who won a Tony for Avenue Q.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:33 AM on May 9, 2011
Quick brain dump: Why does every musical have to be a parody of musicals, reviewers? The Book of Mormon just seems to me just regular old comedy musical, which is awesome.
posted by The Devil Tesla at 9:39 AM on May 9, 2011
posted by The Devil Tesla at 9:39 AM on May 9, 2011
The Devil Telsa, Book of Mormon is a parody of every musical ever written. Some songs are ripped directly from Wicked, Annie, Lion King, and Little Shop of Horrors.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:40 AM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:40 AM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
Some songs are ripped directly from Wicked, Annie, Lion King, and Little Shop of Horrors.
In any case it sounds more outward facing, and therefore more appealing, than a lot of navel-gazing I see out of Broadway.
posted by The Devil Tesla at 9:50 AM on May 9, 2011
In any case it sounds more outward facing, and therefore more appealing, than a lot of navel-gazing I see out of Broadway.
posted by The Devil Tesla at 9:50 AM on May 9, 2011
(but yea I didn't notice that :p)
posted by The Devil Tesla at 9:51 AM on May 9, 2011
posted by The Devil Tesla at 9:51 AM on May 9, 2011
So they've pretty much given up on the Congressional appropriation then?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 9:56 AM on May 9, 2011
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 9:56 AM on May 9, 2011
Well... "ripped directly" may be a bit too strong.
For the songs where it's the same accompaniment? I don't think that's too strong.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:01 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
For the songs where it's the same accompaniment? I don't think that's too strong.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:01 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Anyway, I think the story form this comment is relevant here.
posted by The Devil Tesla at 10:05 AM on May 9, 2011
posted by The Devil Tesla at 10:05 AM on May 9, 2011
Pretty much accusing them of plagiarism, aren't you?
Only if you think, say, Weird "Al" is a serial plagiarist.
It's a parody. Yes, 99% of modern musical theater is an unintentional parody of itself. This show happens to be an intentional parody.
posted by muddgirl at 10:15 AM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
Only if you think, say, Weird "Al" is a serial plagiarist.
It's a parody. Yes, 99% of modern musical theater is an unintentional parody of itself. This show happens to be an intentional parody.
posted by muddgirl at 10:15 AM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
Pretty much accusing them of plagiarism, aren't you?
No, no, not by any means. It was completely intentional. It's not the same, note for note, but it's the same musical idea in each case. Done completely on purpose.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:16 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
No, no, not by any means. It was completely intentional. It's not the same, note for note, but it's the same musical idea in each case. Done completely on purpose.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:16 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Whoops, I put the scare quotes around the wrong part of "Weird" Al Yankovik's name. Probably because I'm a hater.
posted by muddgirl at 10:19 AM on May 9, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 10:19 AM on May 9, 2011 [3 favorites]
hippybear, we're talking apples and oranges. Lots of people write intentional pastiche, or try to write an original musical that happens to sound like another one. Lopez, Stone and Parker took "The Wizard and I", "Somewhere That's Green", etc. and used the same notes and feel for their songs.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:29 AM on May 9, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:29 AM on May 9, 2011
Wait, I'm pretty sure it's actually Weird Al "Yankovik." His real last name is Arnold.
And Mr. Yankovic never credits himself with writing the songs he's parodying.
Mr. Yankovik does self-credited "style parodies" all the time.
posted by muddgirl at 10:30 AM on May 9, 2011
And Mr. Yankovic never credits himself with writing the songs he's parodying.
Mr. Yankovik does self-credited "style parodies" all the time.
posted by muddgirl at 10:30 AM on May 9, 2011
Also, yes, I can not spell "Yankovic" either.
posted by muddgirl at 10:30 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by muddgirl at 10:30 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Wait, I'm pretty sure it's actually Weird Al "Yankovik." His real last name is Arnold.
What?!
posted by kmz at 10:38 AM on May 9, 2011
What?!
posted by kmz at 10:38 AM on May 9, 2011
Did you actually SEE the show? It sounds like you didn't.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:46 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:46 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
hippy bear, listen to "Mostly Me" again, and see if it doesn't remind you, INTENTIONALLY of The Wizard and I.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:55 AM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:55 AM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
They are definitely referencing other showtunes - doesn't "All-American Prophet" remind you of "Trouble in River City"? Of course it's deliberate, that doesn't make it plagarism.
posted by moxiedoll at 11:04 AM on May 9, 2011
posted by moxiedoll at 11:04 AM on May 9, 2011
an excessively mean potshot aimed at an easy target, tuned for maximum shock.
You appear to have watched "South Park." But I'm having a hard time believing that you have, since this is basically the premise of every episode.
posted by blucevalo at 11:33 AM on May 9, 2011
You appear to have watched "South Park." But I'm having a hard time believing that you have, since this is basically the premise of every episode.
posted by blucevalo at 11:33 AM on May 9, 2011
I had a Theater major explain to me how the South Park movie was a quintessential, classic American musical in its plot and music structure. Blew me away... it's no wonder an actual musical from the duo is a success.
You might want to check out Cannibal! The Musical, their first movie, which is absolutely a classic musical...about cannibalism in the old west. (Based on a true story, even.)
now going to be humming the Shpadoinkle song all day..."the sky is blue and all the leaves are green, the air is as warm as a baked potato..."
posted by epersonae at 11:39 AM on May 9, 2011
You might want to check out Cannibal! The Musical, their first movie, which is absolutely a classic musical...about cannibalism in the old west. (Based on a true story, even.)
now going to be humming the Shpadoinkle song all day..."the sky is blue and all the leaves are green, the air is as warm as a baked potato..."
posted by epersonae at 11:39 AM on May 9, 2011
It's a fine line between a work that self-consciously participates in a genre (i.e., stage musical) and a work of parody - frequently fine enough to be invisible. Blazing Saddles is a western. Spinal Tap songs are, in fact, rock songs.
"Is this a parody or is it really a musical?" is a false dichotomy. Any work in a genre inevitably refigures and reforms previous entries in that genre. That is what it means to participate in a genre.
If they straightforwardly lifted the music from another song and wrote new words, that would be either homage, parody, or plagiarism, depending on the words, degree of change, and intent.
If they wrote music that reminds you SO MUCH of some previous song that you feel it can't possibly be an accident, that's just great genre craft.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 11:50 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
"Is this a parody or is it really a musical?" is a false dichotomy. Any work in a genre inevitably refigures and reforms previous entries in that genre. That is what it means to participate in a genre.
If they straightforwardly lifted the music from another song and wrote new words, that would be either homage, parody, or plagiarism, depending on the words, degree of change, and intent.
If they wrote music that reminds you SO MUCH of some previous song that you feel it can't possibly be an accident, that's just great genre craft.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 11:50 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
"Is this a parody or is it really a musical?" is a false dichotomy.
Is anyone arguing that parody musicals are not musicals? I don't think so. What I see is some people claiming that no musicals can be parodies of musicals, because musicals are by default self-referential. I don't think that claim holds much water. Example: Rock music is self-referential, and yet Spinal Tap is a parodic rock group.
Fact: The Book of Mormon is a Broadway musical. Fact: The Book of Mormon is a parody of Broadway musicals.
posted by muddgirl at 11:53 AM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
Is anyone arguing that parody musicals are not musicals? I don't think so. What I see is some people claiming that no musicals can be parodies of musicals, because musicals are by default self-referential. I don't think that claim holds much water. Example: Rock music is self-referential, and yet Spinal Tap is a parodic rock group.
Fact: The Book of Mormon is a Broadway musical. Fact: The Book of Mormon is a parody of Broadway musicals.
posted by muddgirl at 11:53 AM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
ColdChef, you destroyed my afternoon.
posted by Mcable at 11:54 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Mcable at 11:54 AM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
No, but people are arguing that there can be musicals that are not parodies of musicals, and I think (barring extreme cases on either side - a baroque attempt at something that's never been tried before a la Sondheim on one end and, say, a naive musical written by someone who had never heard a musical before on the other end) that's wrong.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 11:59 AM on May 9, 2011
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 11:59 AM on May 9, 2011
Well, yes. That is one definition of "post-modern," and it is true for every piece of art generated since like WWII or something.
Are we just concluding that parody is dead? And no one should attempt it ever?
posted by muddgirl at 12:04 PM on May 9, 2011
Are we just concluding that parody is dead? And no one should attempt it ever?
posted by muddgirl at 12:04 PM on May 9, 2011
I'd say let's agree to disagree, but I have the feeling we might be agreeing. So I'm going to unilaterally agree to agree with you.
I think parody as a category is dead only in that parody is omnipresent, there's not much of anything that you can point to that _isn't_ parody, so parody as a meaningful way of disambiguating from non-parody isn't really valid. Everything is equally parodic.
But some things are more parodic than others.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 12:09 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
I think parody as a category is dead only in that parody is omnipresent, there's not much of anything that you can point to that _isn't_ parody, so parody as a meaningful way of disambiguating from non-parody isn't really valid. Everything is equally parodic.
But some things are more parodic than others.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 12:09 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
But some things are more parodic than others.
...so, if some things are more parodic than others, then is it acceptable to discuss things on the "More Parodic" end of the scale as Parodic, and things on the "Less Parodic" end of the scale as "Not Parodic," understanding that it is impossible to be entirely un-parodic and thus we don't need to mention that fact every time we discuss parody?
posted by muddgirl at 12:36 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
...so, if some things are more parodic than others, then is it acceptable to discuss things on the "More Parodic" end of the scale as Parodic, and things on the "Less Parodic" end of the scale as "Not Parodic," understanding that it is impossible to be entirely un-parodic and thus we don't need to mention that fact every time we discuss parody?
posted by muddgirl at 12:36 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
That's an interesting point of view, but I just don't think the definition of "parody" you are advocating for is as useful as the one that seems to me to be the more usual, which entails at least some degree of mocking intent, as well as a certain comedic sensibility, and perhaps a more deliberate and overt dependence than usual on references to other, earlier shows. What do we gain by throwing away a word that helps us describe the difference between shows like this one and ones like Spring Awakening or Next to Normal or whatever?
posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 12:38 PM on May 9, 2011
posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 12:38 PM on May 9, 2011
Sorry, should have gone to sleep last night previewed. That was in response to Pickman's Next Top Model, if that was unclear.
posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 12:39 PM on May 9, 2011
posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 12:39 PM on May 9, 2011
I hope this is a huge hit, cause I've sitting on a Comedic Light Opera for a while now.
I'm serious.
posted by The Whelk at 12:59 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm serious.
posted by The Whelk at 12:59 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
parts of it are in esperanto
posted by The Whelk at 1:00 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 1:00 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
I was a lonely child
posted by The Whelk at 1:00 PM on May 9, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 1:00 PM on May 9, 2011 [3 favorites]
Hey, it worked for Incubus. (Now I'd like to see an all-singing all-dancing Broadway version of that. With Billy Shatner reprising his role.)
posted by kmz at 1:36 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by kmz at 1:36 PM on May 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm not accusing Parker/Stone of retreading (yes I am, no I am not), but didn't they already do a Mormon-parody film called Orgazmo? I know it wasn't a musical, but it did have one of the best theme songs evar. But really, two big productions about Mormons? And how come Stone & Parker are so damn talented?!
posted by not_on_display at 2:09 PM on May 9, 2011
posted by not_on_display at 2:09 PM on May 9, 2011
"Mormonism has sort of been the little thing that's fascinated us the most," says Parker.
I heard this All Things Considered piece on the radio and it touches on why Stone and Parker seem to obsess over Mormons. In short, they're obsessed with Mormons.
posted by polyhedron at 2:58 PM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
I heard this All Things Considered piece on the radio and it touches on why Stone and Parker seem to obsess over Mormons. In short, they're obsessed with Mormons.
posted by polyhedron at 2:58 PM on May 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
In short, they're obsessed with Mormons.
Thank god I'm not the only one.
posted by elsietheeel at 3:33 PM on May 9, 2011
Thank god I'm not the only one.
posted by elsietheeel at 3:33 PM on May 9, 2011
I listened to the whole thing, then I listened to Joseph Smith American Moses four more times. I was not planning to make it out to NYC this year, but I might reconsider that. Thanks for the link.
posted by chemoboy at 7:11 PM on May 9, 2011
posted by chemoboy at 7:11 PM on May 9, 2011
Not to be overly meta and/or overly schmoopy, but "in the end, everyone who overcomes it ... comes out the other end feeling as if maybe the point at which they wanted to abandon the experience wasn't actually that extreme after all." kind of describes your conversation there.
As I was reading through it, I was thinking, "hoo, boy ... we've seen this play out before" and started to get uncomfortable and thought "I'll just skip this." But by the end of it, you guys worked through everything and I was all warm and fuzzy.
So ... thanks for staying the course.
Also, ColdChef, thanks for the OP.
posted by Alt F4 at 3:23 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
As I was reading through it, I was thinking, "hoo, boy ... we've seen this play out before" and started to get uncomfortable and thought "I'll just skip this." But by the end of it, you guys worked through everything and I was all warm and fuzzy.
So ... thanks for staying the course.
Also, ColdChef, thanks for the OP.
posted by Alt F4 at 3:23 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
That's actually a great idea. I would probably have to include Mormon "inspirational" movies, too. There are so many and they're really hilarious.
You'd probably have enough links and info do three FPPs: LDS musicals and pageants, inspirational films, and LDS movies in general.
posted by elsietheeel at 6:52 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
You'd probably have enough links and info do three FPPs: LDS musicals and pageants, inspirational films, and LDS movies in general.
posted by elsietheeel at 6:52 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Am I studying for my last law school exam ever? Or am I listening to a five-second repeating loop of the words "Joseph Smith! Don't fuck that baby!"?
posted by prefpara at 1:21 PM on May 10, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by prefpara at 1:21 PM on May 10, 2011 [3 favorites]
Well damn, just went to send this link to a friend and got "Audio for this feature is no longer available."
posted by the_artificer at 7:30 PM on June 8, 2011
posted by the_artificer at 7:30 PM on June 8, 2011
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posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 6:38 AM on May 9, 2011