BoM The Musical in SLC

[Bernard Gui]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865686065/Theater-review-The-Book-of-Mormon-brings-cringes-laughs-to-the-Eccles-Theater.html

Never underestimate the debasement of American pop culture. BOMTM is back in SLC in all its obscene, bigoted, juvenile splendor - as if this were some grand achievement- sticking it in the eye of the Mormons on their turf, speaking truth to the power of the Brethren, testing how open-minded the Saints are, daring the prigs to object, whatever. 

But I really had to laugh at this. Of all the things a Mormon might find offensive in this monumental piece of puerility, well....I'm speechless.

Quote

Just in case my status as a non-member of the LDS Church made me tone deaf, I shared my extra ticket with my good friend Elayne Wells Harmer, whose son returns from his LDS mission in two weeks. That he is returning from Orlando was an added bonus, since Orlando is also a running joke in the musical.

Harmer enjoyed the singing and the choreography (Gabe Gibbs as Elder Price and Conner Peirson as Elder Cunningham are show-stoppers), and is pretty immune to jabs at Mormonism, she says. But the portrayal of the missionaries as goofy, clueless young men whose pants don’t reach their shoes, rubbed her the wrong way.

Her son, she notes, “has put so much heart and effort into his mission, trying to bring a message of hope and love, because he wants to share something that’s been life-changing for him.”

Enjoyed the singing? Did she listen to the lyrics?

My oh my.

Edited August 4, 2017 by Bernard Gui

[Kenngo1969]

https://greatgourdini.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/laughing-at-mormons/

[Amulek]

I haven't seen the musical, but one of my friends in my ward thought it was largely enjoyable as far as entertainment goes. He also showed me the playbill where the church had purchased full page advertising (on multiple pages). The message on the ads was similar to the the church's response back when it was being asked about the musical when it first came out - something along the lines of how the show may entertain you for a night but the actual Book of Mormon has the power to change your life forever. 

I thought that was really the right kind of response. We can't be too thin skinned about something that is so obviously meant to be satire. 

[Bobbieaware]

11 hours ago, Bernard Gui said:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865686065/Theater-review-The-Book-of-Mormon-brings-cringes-laughs-to-the-Eccles-Theater.html

Never underestimate the debasement of American pop culture. BOMTM is back in SLC in all its obscene, bigoted, juvenile splendor - as if this were some grand achievement- sticking it in the eye of the Mormons on their turf, speaking truth to the power of the Brethren, testing how open-minded the Saints are, daring the prigs to object, whatever. 

But I really had to laugh at this. Of all the things a Mormon might find offensive in this monumental piece of puerility, well....I'm speechless.

Enjoyed the singing? Did she listen to the lyrics?

My oh my.

She was probably disgusted by the whole thing but wanted to put up a brave and "tolerant" front for the sake of her cosmopolitan host. Her big mistake was attending in the first place. Personally speaking, I wouldn't go to see that play even if I was offered millions of dollars, reason being I would feel like traitor who had joined the mocking, hell-bound crowd at the windows of the large and spacious building.

Edited August 5, 2017 by Bobbieaware

[RevTestament]

I have no problem laughing at quirks and stereotypes of my chosen sect of religion. I watched The Best Two Years for at least the 4rth time recently. However, I will not financially support something which is obscene, vulgar and disrespectful, and which is directly offensive to my Lord, so will not be watching this musical. Just imagine if they did such a production on Islam. Would the secretary of State laughed at it?

No matter, the day is shortly at hand when they will laugh no more.

[Bernard Gui]

1 hour ago, Amulek said:

I haven't seen the musical, but one of my friends in my ward thought it was largely enjoyable as far as entertainment goes. He also showed me the playbill where the church had purchased full page advertising (on multiple pages). The message on the ads was similar to the the church's response back when it was being asked about the musical when it first came out - something along the lines of how the show may entertain you for a night but the actual Book of Mormon has the power to change your life forever. 

I thought that was really the right kind of response. We can't be too thin skinned about something that is so obviously meant to be satire. 

Thin skinned? Google the lyrics for Joseph Smith American Moses and Hasa Diga Eebowai and come on back and we'll talk.

Edited August 4, 2017 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

6 hours ago, Snigmorder said:

Since I'm anonymous I'll say what I want.

I resent Mormons who tolerate vulgarity, profanity, and blasphemy for the sake of entertainment.

The Book of Mormon play is garbage and it will not survive the baptism by fire.

I really cannot understand why any Mormon would pay hundreds of dollars to see this. And then to say they found it sweet and entertaining is beyond my ken.

Edited August 5, 2017 by Bernard Gui

[The Nehor]

1 hour ago, Bobbieaware said:

She was probably disgusted by the whole thing but wanted to put up a brave and "tolerant" front for the sake of her cosmopolitan host. Her big mistake was attending in the first place. Personally speaking, I wouldn't go to see that play even if I was offered millions of dollars, reason being I would feel like traitor who had joined mocking, hell-bound crowd at windows of large and spacious building.

I would if paid at least $5000. I guess my integrity is cheaper than yours.

[Gray]

27 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

I really cannot understand why any Mormon would pay hundreds of dollars to see this. And then to say they

found it sweet and entertaining is beyond my ken.

I'll reveal myself to be uncultured and admit I feel the same about all musical theater.

[cinepro]

3 hours ago, Bernard Gui said:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865686065/Theater-review-The-Book-of-Mormon-brings-cringes-laughs-to-the-Eccles-Theater.html

Never underestimate the debasement of American pop culture. BOMTM is back in SLC in all its obscene, bigoted, juvenile splendor - as if this were some grand achievement- sticking it in the eye of the Mormons on their turf, speaking truth to the power of the Brethren, testing how open-minded the Saints are, daring the prigs to object, whatever. 

But I really had to laugh at this. Of all the things a Mormon might find offensive in this monumental piece of puerility, well....I'm speechless.

Enjoyed the singing? Did she listen to the lyrics?

My oh my.

I'm not surprised by her comment.  If there's anything Mormons hate, it's caricatures of the missionaries as naive and over-zealous.  Remember the controversies and protests when this play was making the rounds several decades ago?

Edited August 4, 2017 by cinepro

[Tacenda]

6 minutes ago, cinepro said:

I'm not surprised by her comment.  If there's anything Mormons hate, it's caricatures of the missionaries as naive and over-zealous.  Remember the controversies and protests when this play was making the rounds several decades ago?

I can't believe I'm admitting this but I loved the missionaries and my kids and I would watch it years ago. But I'm a sucker for these LDS films. I like that we can make fun of ourselves. It throws the people out there that think we're a cult, off. And I do admit there are cultish behaviors but I don't believe they're sinister, unless it's an individual that tries to use some doctrine for evil. 

[Jeanne]

I have never had any desire to see it  Not really into plays. Love books though!

[Jeanne]

15 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

I can't believe I'm admitting this but I loved the missionaries and my kids and I would watch it years ago. But I'm a sucker for these LDS films. I like that we can make fun of ourselves. It throws the people out there that think we're a cult, off. And I do admit there are cultish behaviors but I don't believe they're sinister, unless it's an individual that tries to use some doctrine for evil. 

I hear what you are saying.  A lot of LDS films I have seen..ended up being like Halmark cards...entertaining..sad..touching.

[Amulek]

2 hours ago, Bernard Gui said:

Thin skinned? Google the lyrics for Joseph Smith American Moses and Hasa Diga Eebowai and come on back and we'll talk.

I am aware of thy lyrics. They are vulgar and irreverent - definitely not the sort of fare that most Latter-day Saints can stomach. 

But what comes to my mind more than anything is the saying that goes something like "It's a fool who takes offense where none is intended, but it's a greater fool who takes offense where offense IS intended."

Stuff like this ought to roll of the Latter-day Saints like water off a duck's back. 

Edited August 4, 2017 by Amulek

[Amulek]

1 hour ago, Snigmorder said:

"It's just satire" is a woeful under raction. 

Um, it actually is satire. I'm not sure what more of a reaction you expect. 

Satire is what you get when you take irony / sarcasm and then turn it up to 11. If this doesn't qualify as satire I don't know what does.

Edited August 4, 2017 by Amulek

[The Nehor]

30 minutes ago, Amulek said:

Um, it actually is satire. I'm not sure what more of a reaction you expect. 

Satire is what you get when you take irony / sarcasm and then turn it up to 11. If this doesn't qualify as satire I don't know what does.

It is satire of the most cynical sort.

[Kenngo1969]

4 hours ago, Amulek said:

... I thought that [ads in the playbill, inviting theatergoers to read the Book of Mormon, etc.[ was really the right kind of response. We can't be too thin skinned about something that is so obviously meant to be satire. 

One of the points I make in the link I posted earlier is that good satire makes at least a minimal effort to understand its subject as insiders understand it.  I haven't seen the show (not because I'm thin-skinned, but it's the kind of thing about which I would say to myself, "Well, there go 2 1/2 hours of my life I'll never get back" ), but it doesn't seem as though its creators made much of an effort to understand their subject as insiders understand it.

[Kenngo1969]

3 hours ago, Snigmorder said:

Since I'm anonymous I'll say what I want.

I resent Mormons who tolerate vulgarity, profanity, and blasphemy for the sake of entertainment.

The Book of Mormon play is garbage and it will not survive the baptism by fire.

Tell us how you really feel!  

 

[Amulek]

8 minutes ago, Kenngo1969 said:

I haven't seen the show [...], but it doesn't seem as though its creators made much of an effort to understand their subject as insiders understand it.

This makes me think of the following exchange from The Black Adder...

 

Percy: You know, they do say that the Infanta's eyes are more beautiful than the famous Stone of Galveston.

Edmund: Mm! ... What?

Percy: The famous Stone of Galveston, My Lord.

Edmund: And what's that, exactly?

Percy: Well, it's a famous blue stone, and it comes (points dramatically) from Galveston.

Edmund: I see. And what about it?

Percy: Well, My Lord, the Infanta's eyes are bluer than it, for a start.

Edmund: I see. And have you ever seen this stone?

Percy: (nods) No, not as such, My Lord, but I know a couple of people who have, and they say it's very very blue indeed.

Edmund: And have these people seen the Infanta's eyes?

Percy: No, I shouldn't think so, My Lord.

Edmund: And neither have you, presumably.

Percy: No, My Lord.

Edmund: So, what you're telling me, Percy, is that something you have never seen is slightly less blue than something else you have never seen.

Percy: (finally begins to grasp) Yes, My Lord.

[Kenngo1969]

17 minutes ago, Amulek said:

This makes me think of the following exchange from The Black Adder...

 

Percy: You know, they do say that the Infanta's eyes are more beautiful than the famous Stone of Galveston.

Edmund: Mm! ... What?

Percy: The famous Stone of Galveston, My Lord.

Edmund: And what's that, exactly?

Percy: Well, it's a famous blue stone, and it comes (points dramatically) from Galveston.

Edmund: I see. And what about it?

Percy: Well, My Lord, the Infanta's eyes are bluer than it, for a start.

Edmund: I see. And have you ever seen this stone?

Percy: (nods) No, not as such, My Lord, but I know a couple of people who have, and they say it's very very blue indeed.

Edmund: And have these people seen the Infanta's eyes?

Percy: No, I shouldn't think so, My Lord.

Edmund: And neither have you, presumably.

Percy: No, My Lord.

Edmund: So, what you're telling me, Percy, is that something you have never seen is slightly less blue than something else you have never seen.

Percy: (finally begins to grasp) Yes, My Lord.

I don't need to become a murderer to understand all of the reasons why I might not want to be one.

[The Nehor]

3 hours ago, cinepro said:

I'm not surprised by her comment.  If there's anything Mormons hate, it's caricatures of the missionaries as naive and over-zealous.  Remember the controversies and protests when this play was making the rounds several decades ago?

I know you are being tongue in cheek but there is a difference. The people who wrote Saturday's Warriors had something to say beneath the silliness.

The writers of the musical do not. There is no redeeming value underneath it all. Should not be surprised. They wrote South Park, a show that focuses its cynicism on everything with nothing underneath. Compare it to cartoons like the Simpsons or King of the Hill or Futurama that are definitely caricatures and satire but manage to have some heart underneath it all. On some level you can care about the characters who retain a sense of humanity.

In South Park and this drek there is nothing like that. It is morally nihilistic. Better shows suggest that things are ridiculous but life is worth living while they are stuck with an "everything sucks and nothing has any value" theme. Yuck.

 

[JAHS]

5 hours ago, Amulek said:

The message on the ads was similar to the the church's response back when it was being asked about the musical when it first came out - something along the lines of how the show may entertain you for a night but the actual Book of Mormon has the power to change your life forever. 

Another one:

"You've seen the musical, now read the book."

[pogi]

1 hour ago, Snigmorder said:

This post shouldn't be deleted, because it's only satire.

Holly crap!!! 

2 hours ago, Amulek said:

Satire is what you get when you take irony / sarcasm and then turn it up to 11. If this doesn't qualify as satire I don't know what does.

11? 11? That is only turning it up to 11???  That is more like turning it up to 99.9 out of 10.  I honestly don't know if there is anything more foul and loathsome that could be said about my God in the name of "satire".  I literally feel like vomiting, and I am not a thin-skinned person. 

If I am offended at this, am I in the wrong because it is only "satire"? 

Edited August 4, 2017 by pogi

[JAHS]

4 minutes ago, pogi said:

Holly crap!!! 

11? 11? That is only turning it up to 11???  That is more like turning it up to 99.9 out of 100.  I honestly don't know if there is anything more foul and loathsome that could be said about my God in the name of "satire".  I literally feel like vomiting, and I am not a thin-skinned person. 

If I am offended at this, am I in the wrong because it is only "satire"? 

It may be offensive but I choose to not be offended.  I will simply ignore it and not waste any money on it. Telling everyone how offensive it is will only serve to increase its popularity and patronage.

[Kenngo1969]

6 hours ago, Bernard Gui said:

I really cannot understand why any Mormon would pay hundreds of dollars to see this. And then to say they

found it sweet and entertaining is beyond my ken.

It is beyond your Kenngo1969, too!  He doesn't get it, either!