Hello! ‘Book of Mormon’ plays on the road in New Orleans
By MEGHAN LOVELACE
The Book of Mormon is a familiar buddy comedy with satirical flair. The jumpy choreography and dopamine disco lighting had me sitting back in my seat thinking I was going to be watching Comedy Central in a cocktail dress. But much like our lead, Elder Price (Ethan Davenport), I was reality-checked by terrorism, famine and AIDS.
The cast of “The Book of Mormon” playing on the road in New Orleans at the Saenger Theater. (Photo by Julieta Cervantes)
These actors did brilliantly. I love a good father-daughter arch, raunchy humor and depictions of hell. I only wish there had been more spotlight for all the women in the production.
As a young theatre kid I remember the buzz around this new musical. It was taboo in my little world of dance class, piano lessons, and Sunday school. As a woman, I was curious to see the women’s village culture; instead I saw a bunch of boys that can belt pre-pubescently high.
Musical creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone (book and lyrics) – best known for creating “South Park” – and Robert Lopez – also known for the Tony Award winning musical Avenue Q and the Disney franchise of “Frozen” – (music) can put, what some might consider as offensive humor on a platter and the viewer will eat it up with ease.
Cast members (L-R) Elder Cunningham (Jacob Aune), Nabalungi (Charity Arianna) and Elder Price (Sam McLellan) in “The Book of Mormon” North American tour. (Photo by Julieta Cervantes)
I would like to say this platter had chicken tenders and French fries with a new sauce you’ve never heard of, just to change it up. But still, we’re talking chicken tenders and French fries. I’ve seen “South Park” and enjoy a good binge every so often but was hoping for something different. The writing did everything but put the actors in construction paper.
Behind the giggles and shiny happy boys, this group of actors brought to light the life of poverty being in the shadow of a warlord. With perfect pitch and gay suppression, I was reminded that the world is a whole lot bigger than what’s on our phone screens.
Slow down, look up, and enjoy unlimited clean water, bodily autonomy, and not being stalked by a fear mongering despot.
Oh wait….
The national tour of The Book of Mormon played at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans from March 12 – 17 and, due to the fire at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York that has temporarily shut down the original cast show there, was the only production of the show being seen in the United States.
Meghan Lovelace is a member of the Crescent City Theatre Awards, a 501c 3 non-profit that annually presents awards for local productions.
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