Parker and Stone's 'The Book of Mormon' most critically acclaimed musical for years

[Undesired Walrus]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/mar/31/book-of-mormon-review

There is an extended sequence showing Hitler enjoying oral sex with the devil, a blown up x-ray of a rectal blockage caused by a religious text, and its central song involves characters literally sticking up their middle fingers to God: it is safe to say that this Broadway musical is not Les Miserables.

Predictably, it is the work of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the permanently sniggering but deceptively brilliant duo behind South Park.

The musical – The Book of Mormon – is their Broadway debut. Less predictably, it has become the most critically acclaimed new musical for years.

Jon Stewart, host of the Daily Show, described it as "so good it makes me angry", and Ben Brantley, the New York Times's notoriously difficult-to-please theatre critic, apparently underwent a religious conversion during the show, using the kind of evangelical language in his review that the show mocks, beginning with "heaven" and ending with "paradise", with an "ecstatic" along the way.

How has Utah reacted?

 

[Squeegee Beckenheim]

Isn't Hitler having oral sex with the devil rather like Saddam Hussein having anal sex with the devil?

 

[bluesjnr]

Isn't Hitler having oral sex with the devil rather like Saddam Hussein having anal sex with the devil?

It depends whether the oral sex was pre or post the Hussein anal.

 

[Vic333]

Well, with Spider-Man and Jersey Boys to deal with, it's picked a good time to be the best reviewed musical in years. I am looking forward to seeing it almost as much as I'm looking forward to hearing the screams of persecution. It should be fun.

 

[Kopji]

I've heard of several reviewers leaving and wanting to become Mormon.

 

[Fnord]

I saw the South Park episode that this musical was based on.

Hilarious.

Must obtain tickets.

 

[nelsondogg]

I saw the South Park episode that this musical was based on.

Hilarious.

Must obtain tickets.

One of their best episodes...

Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb

 

[Craig4]

Is it going to open on the West End anytime soon?

 

[ncdrawl]

lowest common denominator humour catering to the argumentum ad populum anti religion sheep.

it was never funny, even less so now. Well... perhaps if one is crass and simple minded.

 

[Babbylonian]

lowest common denominator humour catering to the argumentum ad populum anti religion sheep.

it was never funny, even less so now. Well... perhaps if one is crass and simple minded.

Ah, you've seen the show then? Lucky you!

 

[Halfcentaur]

lowest common denominator humour catering to the argumentum ad populum anti religion sheep.

it was never funny, even less so now. Well... perhaps if one is crass and simple minded.

Are these your only trolling tactics you've got up your sleeve? Dismissals and "I know you are but what am I'?

 

[catsmate]

Ah, you've seen the show then? Lucky you!

Ignore him, he feels the need to insult the "libtards" and "athiests" occasionally......

 

[Craig4]

Ah, you've seen the show then? Lucky you!

How did he get tickets? I hear they are impossible to find.

 

[Last of the Fraggles]

South Park the Movie is one of the best and funniest films ever made. Being able to make base-level toilet humour so damn clever is absolute genius.

Would love to see this musical hopefully it will come to our shores or will still be running when I finally make it to NY on a trip someday.

 

[Babbylonian]

South Park the Movie is one of the best and funniest films ever made. Being able to make base-level toilet humour so damn clever is absolute genius.

I've tried to convince some people who say they "hate" South Park to watch it, but it's a tough row to hoe. I think it's one of the best movie musicals ever (and I love musicals).

 

[Last of the Fraggles]

I've tried to convince some people who say they "hate" South Park to watch it, but it's a tough row to hoe. I think it's one of the best movie musicals ever (and I love musicals).

The TV series is often hit and miss especially recently, but when they hit they really hit.

I think the US approach of churning out 20-odd shows a run really stretches comedy shows (and others to be honest too). Most UK comedy seasons are in the single digits - 6/8 weeks of tight, focussed effort.

It's HARD to be funny every week for 6 months.

 

[Tatyana]

I would see this musical if it is still on when I visit NYC or if it comes to the West End.

 

[tsig]

I would see this musical if it is still on when I visit NYC or if it comes to the West End.

I got the telepathic version. It can be downloaded at MindTouch.com.

 

[Squeegee Beckenheim]

I've tried to convince some people who say they "hate" South Park to watch it, but it's a tough row to hoe. I think it's one of the best movie musicals ever (and I love musicals).

I knew a guy who hated South Park. He came round a mutual friend's house when we were having a regular film night after he'd had an argument with his girlfriend, feeling really low. He was adamant that he didn't want to watch South Park, but 5 of us telling him that we promised him he'd enjoy it got him to give it a go.

He laughed and laughed and laughed. Big fan ever since.

 

[ncdrawl]

It's HARD to be funny every week for 6 months.

apparently not...south park has plenty of vapid, intellectually lazy people from which to choose. look at the popularity.. and the fact that it is popular here gives a nice bit of insight into the jref psyche.

Simple. Minded. LCD Humor.