South Park and Mormon Essay

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theater and particularly its musical performances, have changed dramatically over the years. Their tone and style have reflected historical and cultural changes as well as shifts in attitudes toward musical theater. Recent productions like Book of Mormon and Hamilton would have been inconceivable just a generation ago. Broadway musicals are unique in that they straddle the line between popular and high culture. They have popular culture appeal, packed within the fine art of theater. In some ways, musical theater is a popular culture version of the opera. Broadway theater has matured and expanded its repertoire considerably, moving from the relatively limited domain of Steven Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Weber productions towards a more diverse and creative one. As Lewis points out, "How sadly limiting that was; it surely took some kind of toll on alternative voices trying to break free of cliche expectations," (2). Broadway has broken free, finally, and the show Book of Mormon is one of the plays, and Matt Stone and Trey Parker's play exemplifies the newfound freedom in the art of musical theater.

Book of Mormon won nine Tony awards, and was nominated for five more. It took in some of the top Tony awards, too, including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical, as well as awards for sound, lighting, direction, orchestration, set design and actress in a featured role (Perpetua). Therefore, critics have recognized the play's significant contributions to the world of theater, music, and stage play. Yet Book of Mormon would have been impossible to produce in the era of Rogers and Hammerstein, due to more restrictive social conventions and the dark humor that is more characteristic of the 21st than the 20th century. The creators of The Book of Mormon are also the creators of one of the most iconoclastic, long-running, and beloved animated television series ever to grace the medium: South Park. The coarse language of South Park certainly does weave its way into The Book of Mormon, and expletives are written into the song lyrics as well as to the spoken dialogue.

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Likewise, both sex and violence are used judiciously and gratuitously on stage just as in South Park. The Book of Mormon is written for audiences with a good sense of humor, especially ones who appreciate the South Park brand of humor. Moreover, the play contains rich social commentary.

The social commentary embedded in The Book of Mormon is probably why the play was elevated from what could have been just a cult classic or a complete flop into the realm of high art, culture, and literature. The play is about the Church of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormons, focusing on its missionary activities around the world. The story focuses on Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, who are sent together as partner missionaries to Uganda. Elders Price and Cunningham are shocked to find that the villagers in Uganda are uninterested in professing their faith; they do not trust missionaries. Price and Cunningham are shocked to hear the locals singing "Hasa Diga Eebowai," which translates to "Fuck You God!" The locals understand that religion is not going to solve real world problems like HIV / AIDS, poverty, and despair. Moreover, the villagers live in constant fear of local warlord Butt-Fucking Naked, who like many tribal chiefs in Africa, believes that female genital mutilation is a sacred duty. In fact, Book of Mormon does not just make fun of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, but of all religions. Religion is about social and political control, distorting the truth while distracting and duping the public. As they do on South Park, Stone and Parker spare no one's feelings.

From the moment the lights dim, and the curtain parts, Book of Mormon engages audiences. The opening song, "Hello!" utilizes the full power of lighting and set design to show different characters ringing doorbells to proselytize the religion. The tone of the song oozes sarcasm, even though….....

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