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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Comedy / Theater / Dance The Book of Mormon and the Power of Hilarious Choreography

Posted by David Schmader on Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 9:53 AM

Joan Marcus

Saw Book of Mormon at the Paramount last night and loved it so fucking much.

Goldy covers a bunch of reasons the show adds up to something freakily brilliant in his rave review, so I'll focus on a component of the show I hadn't heard hyped previously, and that I wasn't expected to be blown away by: the choreography, which repeatedly made me laugh so hard I cried.

The Book of Mormon's choreography is by Casey Nicholaw, who co-directed the show (both on Broadway and in this touring production) with Trey Parker. (Nicholaw and Parker won the 2011 Tony for Best Direction, while Nicholaw was nominated for Best Choreography and lost to Anything Goes' Kathleen Marshall.) I can't really hold forth on the quality of The Book of Mormon's choreography as dance, but as comedy, it was astounding.

Prime example: "All-American Prophet," in which the story of Joseph Smith is re-told truthfully and respectfully, by a stageful of people doing the most hilarious group dancing I've ever seen. (If you want to economically underscore the ridiculousness of someone's argument, have them make it while doing an aggressively energetic "funky strut" dance.)

My guy Jake saw the show with me, and had an even more profound experience than I did. (He's an ex-Mormon, and for him, seeing last night's show was like watching the smartest people in the world spend two and half hours intricately mocking the worst bully of his childhood, to the rapturous applause of the masses. He was beside himself with amazement and joy.)

Thank you, all the components of the universe that lined up to make The Book of Mormon possible. It was a dream night.

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Comments (16) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

My turn is tonight and I cannot fucking wait.

Posted by wisepunk on January 17, 2013 at 10:07 AM

I was also there last night and had a great time. Though I'll be honest, I found myself laughing the hardest when they were simply stating facts about Mormonism.

Posted by BlagHag on January 17, 2013 at 10:10 AM

This production was outstanding and the whole (short) run sold out quickly. I bought STG Paramount season tickets just to get an early chance at a better seat for BOM, then was able to buy 4 more for my friends.

Posted by Kunst Frau on January 17, 2013 at 10:20 AM

I'm 0 for 5 for the ticket lottery. Meanwhile, the lottery crowds keep getting larger. Oh well.

Posted by stinkbug on January 17, 2013 at 10:36 AM

oooooh! how does it end?! does xenu get the girl?

Posted by Adrian Ryan on January 17, 2013 at 10:47 AM

tonight!

Posted by chinaski on January 17, 2013 at 10:50 AM

I WANT TO SEE THIS SHOW SO FUCKING BAD. It came through my city some months back, and I was all lined up to get tickets. Except the only ones available to non-season ticket holders were nearly $900 each. So, I had to pass. But, oh, man. So jealous of you guys.

Posted by AmyC on January 17, 2013 at 11:16 AM

I'm so happy for you and Jake, David! @7, let's console ourselves by remembering truly great shows always come around again to scoop up the likes of us.

Posted by gloomy gus on January 17, 2013 at 11:40 AM

Dear everyone who couldn't get into this run: I'm not sure about a second tour, but I know Parker/Stone are working on a film, which they're producing themselves via their new production company, and it should be a whole new sort of awesome. (I can only imagine they can spoof movie-musical tropes just as deftly as they deal with musical theater in the stage production.) (And thanks, Gus! You will love it.)

Posted by David Schmader on January 17, 2013 at 12:13 PM

@9, I'm hoping it becomes a Mamma Mia type of setup - film plus neverending high-end touring companies.

Posted by gloomy gus on January 17, 2013 at 12:23 PM

Why are people surprised that they're so good at doing takeoffs of musical styles? Didn't anyone see the South Park movie? It had Disney songs, Les Miz songs, West Side Story songs...

Posted by leek on January 17, 2013 at 12:47 PM

(I'm not surprised, I'm appreciative.)

Posted by David Schmader on January 17, 2013 at 1:01 PM

Casey Nicholaw also directed Aladdin at the 5th Ave last summer

Posted by EmilySavesTheDay on January 17, 2013 at 1:07 PM

It's coming to my town in the 13/14 season. Can't wait! (and, congrats to your hubby, David, on being able to further exorcise those nasty little mormonic demons).

Posted by emma's bee on January 17, 2013 at 1:58 PM

I bought BOM tickets just to get an early chance at a better seat from Ticketsinventory.com I also have an actual Book of Mormom that I'll trade for a handy.

Posted by Jen112 on January 21, 2013 at 6:25 AM

I bought BOM tickets just to get an early chance at a better seat from Ticketsinventory.com I also have an actual Book of Mormom that I'll trade for a handy.

Posted by Jen123 on January 21, 2013 at 6:28 AM