The Book of Mormon (musical)
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| The Book of Mormon (musical) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | The Book of Mormon |
| Music | Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Robert Lopez |
| Lyrics | Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Robert Lopez |
| Book | Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Robert Lopez |
| Awards | Tony Award for Best Musical, Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album |
The Book of Mormon (musical) is a musical comedy created by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, the founders of South Park, in collaboration with Scott Rudin, a renowned Broadway producer. The musical premiered at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New York City in 2011, starring Josh Gad as Elder Arnold Cunningham and Andrew Rannells as Elder Kevin Price. The show has been praised for its original book, music, and lyrics, which were written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, with orchestrations by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. The musical has won numerous awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Background
The idea for the musical was conceived by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who are known for their work on South Park, a popular adult animation series that airs on Comedy Central. They were inspired by their own experiences with Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement, as well as their interest in musical theater and the works of Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, and Oscar Hammerstein II. The creators drew inspiration from various sources, including The Producers, a musical comedy by Mel Brooks, and Monty Python, a British comedy troupe. They also consulted with Mormon scholars and theologians, such as Richard Bushman and Terryl Givens, to ensure that the musical was accurate and respectful in its portrayal of Mormonism.
Creation and Production
The musical was created in collaboration with Robert Lopez, a composer and lyricist known for his work on Avenue Q, a puppet musical that premiered on Broadway in 2003. The book, music, and lyrics were written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, with direction by Trey Parker and Casey Nicholaw, a choreographer and director who has worked on numerous Broadway shows, including The Drowsy Chaperone and Aladdin. The musical was produced by Scott Rudin, a renowned Broadway producer, in association with Anne Garefino, the executive producer of South Park, and Jonas Larsen, a theatrical producer who has worked on numerous Broadway shows, including The Producers and Hairspray. The musical premiered at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New York City in 2011, starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, with sets designed by Scott Pask, a set designer who has worked on numerous Broadway shows, including The Coast of Utopia and The Merchant of Venice.
Music and Lyrics
The music and lyrics of the musical were written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, with orchestrations by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. The musical features a range of songs, including Hello!, Two by Two, and I Believe, which have been praised for their catchiness and originality. The musical's score has been compared to the works of Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, and Oscar Hammerstein II, with critics praising its complexity and depth. The musical has also been praised for its lyrics, which are known for their wit and satire, and have been compared to the works of Noël Coward and Oscar Wilde.
Plot
The musical tells the story of two Mormon missionaries, Elder Arnold Cunningham and Elder Kevin Price, who are sent to Uganda to spread the word of Mormonism. The story follows their experiences as they navigate the challenges of missionary work in a foreign country, and grapple with their own faith and doubts. The musical features a range of characters, including Nabulungi, a Ugandan woman who becomes the object of Elder Arnold Cunningham's affections, and General Butt-Fucking Naked, a warlord who is determined to destroy the Mormon missionaries. The musical's plot has been praised for its originality and complexity, and has been compared to the works of Monty Python and The Producers.
Reception
The musical has received widespread critical acclaim, with critics praising its originality, wit, and satire. The musical has won numerous awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The musical has also been a commercial success, with box office sales exceeding $500 million. The musical has been praised by celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, Elton John, and Lady Gaga, and has been named one of the best musicals of the 21st century by The New York Times, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone. The musical has also been praised by Mormon leaders, including Thomas S. Monson, the former President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who has praised the musical's portrayal of Mormonism as accurate and respectful.