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The Book of Mormon

201103

A religious satire musical in 2 acts: Book, music and lyrics by by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez.

Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Broadway - 24 March, 2011, (previews from 24 February, 2011)

Synopsis

The Book of Mormon follows a pair of mismatched Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that s about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get.

In the present day, two mismatched Mormon missionaries are sent together to Uganda, Africa. Elder Cunningham is an insecure, overweight, irritating liar, while Elder Price is a devout, enthusiastic, handsome, pompous, over-confident fellow. There, they see people living in appalling conditions of famine, poverty and AIDS, who are ruled by a despotic, murderous chieftain. The native Ugandans curse their existence (saying, "Fuck you, God!"). Several other missionaries already in the country have been unable to convert the locals to Mormonism. The Ugandans cope with their miserable lives by feigning happiness.

Price is certain that he can succeed where the other Mormon Elders have failed. The Ugandans find him arrogant and are not impressed. Soon, Price wishes to be sent elsewhere, like Orlando, Florida. Cunningham, unhappy with Price, finally takes the initiative. The local leader's daughter, Nabulungi, wants Cunningham to take the whole village to "Salt-e Lake City", where they can find fortune and avoid the horrors of rape, genital mutilation and murder. Cunningham lacks much knowledge of the Book of Mormon, but he makes up stories that combine what he knows of Mormon doctrine with bits and pieces of science fiction and other cultural ideas, many of them unsavory.

The villagers are enchanted; they are baptized and accept Mormonism. They gain the confidence to resist the despot, who also finally converts. Price is astonished to learn that the importance of religion is not truth, but whether it helps people. Ironically, his faith, and that of the other missionaries, is revitalized, and they stay to help the village.

Musical Numbers

  1. Hello! – Price, Cunningham and Mormon Boys
  2. Two By Two – Price, Cunningham and Mormon Boys
  3. You And Me (But Mostly Me) – Price and Cunningham
  4. Hasa Diga Eebowai – Mafala, Price, Cunningham and Ugandans
  5. Turn It Off – McKinley and Missionaries
  6. I Am Here For You – Nabulungi
  7. All-American Prophet – Price, Cunningham, Joseph Smith, Angel Moroni and Company
  8. Sal Tlay Ka Siti – Nabulungi
  9. Man Up – Cunningham, Nabulungi, Price and Company
  10. Making Things Up Again – Cunningham, Cunningham’s Dad, Joseph Smith, Mormon, Moroni and Ugandans
  11. Spooky Mormon Hell Dream – Price and Company
  12. I Believe – Price
  13. Baptise Me – Cunningham, Nabulungi
  14. I Am Africa – McKinley, Missionaries and Ugandans
  15. Joseph Smith American Moses – Nabulungi and Ugandans
  16. Tomorrow Is A Latter Day – Price, McKinley, Cunningham, Nabulungi and Company

Cast