Hello, my name is Elder Smith, and I’d like to share with you the most amazing show. The Book of Mormon is the culmination of the comedic genius of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park. This Broadway and West End hit is a full-on musical spectacle with all the bells, whistles, and trimmings.
The Book of Mormon is live at The Alexandra, Birmingham until Saturday, 28th December 2024
The show follows two naïve Mormon missionaries on their mission to spread the word of the Latter-Day Saints to Uganda, where they encounter a world far from the one they imagined. Parker and Stone push the boundaries of comedy, addressing everything from AIDS and sexual assault to cold-blooded murder, while also exploring themes of destiny, hard work, and the human condition. The story unfolds as we follow these two young missionaries on their adventure to share the gospel of Prophet Joseph Smith.
Sam Glen absolutely steals the show as Elder Cunningham, the lovable and pathological liar, paired with the picture-perfect Mormon Elder Price (Adam Bailey). Together, they bring a pop-culture-laden retelling of The Book of Mormon to the people of Uganda.
Although the show occasionally parodies other smash hits, most notably The Lion King (with its own R-rated take on “Hakuna Matata” in the form of “Hasa Diga Ebowai”), The Book of Mormon stands confidently on its own as an original, refreshing, and laugh-out-loud musical that far exceeds its contemporaries in terms of humour alone.
The absolute highlight for me was the “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream,” which features cameos from infamous figures like Jeffrey Dahmer, Genghis Khan, and Adolf Hitler. (Yes, this show really is that edgy.) However, the true standout moment is “Turn It Off,” where Parker and Stone perfectly capture the essence of “funny because it’s true.” In this number, the Mormon missionaries in Uganda reveal the secret Mormon technique for suppressing emotions—by “turning them off,” like a light switch. The result is a hilarious yet thought-provoking exploration of faith, repression, and the struggles of staying true to one’s beliefs.
Please, God-willing, book your tickets for this fantastic show at the Alexandra Theatre and prepare to laugh your entire night away to the tune of the nine-time Tony Award-winning soundtrack.
