Playbill of The Week: The Book of Mormon

3/53

Comedy is a funny thing. One thing can make someone belly laugh, while another thing can make someone shake their head and go 'what?'. It's extremely subjective and tailored to each and every person. So when the writer's of South Park and Avenue Q get together and create a comedy musical about Mormons in Uganda who are finding themselves, who would have thought that it would be so entertaining to so many different people.

I saw The Book of Mormon January 2012, just a short while after it won Best Musical at the 2011 Tony Awards. Almost all of the original cast was still a part of the show, which is always a treat. I went in knowing the entire score, I had spent hours listening to it in my basement and dreaming of playing one of the Elders. Who wouldn't want to sing Man Up or I Believe? I had the cheapest ticket to the hottest show in town. I stood at the back of the orchestra with my winter jacket and backpack, beside one of my best friends. Then I laughed my butt off for the next 2 1/2 hours. What was done on that stage, borderline offensive, but heart warming, charming and in the end had a really great message, was one of the most enjoyable nights of theatre. Which is why it's still going strong.

Andrew Rannells performance as Elder Price was exactly what you want from a leading man. Charming, strong, and 'All Around American.' His portrayal as Elder Price showed exactly why Andrew has become such a star of stage and screen. He's someone you want to watch on stage. He's loveable, and funny, and extremely talented. The song I Believe has become somewhat of an icon. A somewhat overused audition song, and if you punch it into YouTube there's a billion and one covers. But that never would of happened if it wasn't for first the writing and composition, but also Rannells' performance. If it wasn't amazing we wouldn't want it everywhere.

Now, Josh Gad. To be completely honest I didn't know who Josh was before BOM. I knew of Andrew because of, yes, Pokémon Live the Musical, but I had never seen Josh in anything. Obviously because of my obsessive compulsion with the show I knew how funny Josh was from the cast recording, but I didn't know I was going to get an ab workout from what I saw live. He made Elder Cunningham so adorably relatable and interesting. He was sweet and silly, and ultimately just a good friend. You rooted for him, and him getting the love interest worked perfectly. Baptize Me is to this day one of my favourite songs, and Josh and Nikki's chemistry and comedic chops are what make it go from great to amazing. He was childlike and innocent and you just wanted him to be happy. No wonder Disney scooped him up.

The star of the show for me was Rory O'Malley as Elder McKinley. If you can't appreciate a man in a pink tie and top hat, tap dancing to a song about suppressing your gay thoughts, then I don't know what you want out of a musical!? Every time he walked onto the stage you knew you were in for an absolute treat and a stellar performance. He stole every scene he was in. Another standout was Tony Award Winner Nikki M. James. I didn't expect to cry when watching BOM, but it's sort of impossible when the sweetest little bumble bee is singing Sal Tlay Ka Siti. She charmed the socks out of everyone, and had a Disney Princess quality. Plus vocals for days.

When it comes down to it this show, it wouldn't be as successful as it was if it weren't for Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Bobby Lopez, or Robert if we're being professional. They created these beautifully weird characters who you cheered for and wanted to succeed. Then paired that with catchy tunes, musical theatre references for days, and for this Canadian even a Tim Horton's shout out, you can't go wrong. Just go and listen to 'Spooky Mormon Hell Dream' and tell me this show isn't one of the funniest things in the world?

Sometimes there are shows that get a lot of press, people love them, they win all the awards, and then you go and see them and walk out of the theatre going 'meh', but this is not one of those shows. I've seen the show twice, once in New York and once in Toronto, I've listened to it more times than I can count, yet I still feel joy when a song comes on shuffle on my ipod. I hope we see another show from these guys. They know how to create joy, happiness, laughter and borderline offensiveness and make it into a hilarious musical. Thanks for the laughs and for creating a show I can 100% never be a part of.