Had a great time at Book of Mormon last night.
It really is a wonderful show and will win most of the musical Tonys I believe.
John G. I do tend to agree, the score is not great. I think it's one of the weaker links in the show but when the numbers are performed live on stage they have electricity and joy and great humor and come alive in a way they don't on the CD.
It really is a South Park influenced show and I've always felt that when South Park was working on all cylinders it was brilliant (since we don't have cable anymore I don't see the show, not that we watched it with any regularity anyway) but there is also an element of "kaa kaa, poo poo" in both South Park and this show, meaning "I'm saying kaa kaa poo poo because I can and you can't do anything about it, ha, ha, ha and I'm brilliantly funny when I do it." That happens more in the first act than the second and it's not a major focus. They have actually tried to write a real Broadway musical and, IMHO, they have succeeded. There are major pokes at the Mormons but there is also a respect for them and what they're trying to do. People keep saying there is heart in the show and I had to see it to believe it but it's true.
I'm not as fond of Josh Gad as everyone else seems to be. He's not bad but his character is the same kind of annoying unpleasant Barfee character (from Spelling Bee, he played Barfee when he replaced Dan Fogler in the original cast) and it wears thin. He has some great moments but thank God he's not the only leading character. I don't think I would have enjoyed the show as much. I also have to admit that I found his Playbill Online Q and A responses rather puerile and unpleasant. He seems to be channeling his character and if that's what he's like in real life, then so be it, but I don't need to know him.
I think Andrew Rannells is the real star. He's great. His second act number, I Believe, is a show stopper.
Nikki M. James is also wonderful and will probably win the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Hasa Diga Eebowai is a number in the first act. I won't translate it. You can google and get a translation if you want (if you haven't listened to the show already) I don't know if it even has a translation or if they just made up the phrase and the translation as part of the script but it's screamingly funny especially as sung and staged by the African tribe. If you think that was over the top, then wait until the second act when they do a play about Joseph Smith and the story of the Mormons. Wow!!!
I'm very glad I got to see the show, especially now with the pre-Tony energy. Luck was with us yesterday and I'm happy.
I'm seeing Death Takes a Holiday on Wednesday evening.
