The Book of Mormon – Funny is Funny

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The Book of Mormon is an undeniable smash hit. Written by the creators of the brilliant cartoon series, “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone who teamed up with songwriter Robert Lopez (best known today for his Oscar-winning work on Disney’s Frozen) the play has garnered near-universal praise and commercial success. It’s won nine Tony Awards and grossed over $500 million in ticket sales, joining rank with the likes of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables as one of the most successful musicals of all time.

The company of “The Book of Mormon.” Photo by Julieta Cervantes.

When it first opened in 2011 the MeToo movement hadn’t yet launched and political correctness was arguably in its infancy. Had this show opened in 2020 it surely would have been reigned in and toned down. The play pokes outrageous and sometimes profane fun at the Mormon faith. It also portrayals Ugandan people of color in a highly stereotypical light. But that irreverence and lack of political correctness is partly what makes The Book of Mormon so damn hilarious. For the two hours that you sit in your seat at the Ahmanson Theater in downtown Los Angeles, nothing is sacred and no one is immune to the writer’s cutting edge sense of humor.

The Book of Mormon is a ton of fun. It is old-school Broadway. At its core, a sweet “road movie” that sends a redemptive message about personal faith and friendship that clearly shines through. With top of the line performances by a committed cast, great music, beautiful sets and lighting design and a frivolous hilarity, this show is a must-see.

L-R: Jordan Matthew Brown, Alyah Chanelle Scott and Liam Tobin in “The Book of Mormon.” Photo by Julieta Cervantes.

Cast standouts here include Liam Tobin who shines as the earnest Elder Price, Jordan Mathew Brown who ably delivers many of the play’s wicked punch lines, Alyah Chanelle Scott as the loveable Nabulungi and Andy Huntington Jones as Elder McKinley, a young man desperately trying to crush his homosexual urges. Truthfully there are are no weak links in this production and the joy and energy of the play are palpable.

Book of Mormon runs through March 29, 2020, at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre.

The company of “The Book of Mormon.” Photo by Julieta Cervantes.

Tickets are available at the Center Theatre Group Box Office (located at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012), or by visiting CenterTheatreGroup.org or by calling Audience Services at (213) 972-4400.

The show has a Lottery Ticket Policy with entries accepted at the box office two and a half hours prior to each performance. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $25 each.