Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Book of Mormon

Last night I went to see the touring production of Book of Mormon. It is always a risk to see these touring shows—you have to do your due diligence to ensure you see a professional production because there are non-union touring companies making the rounds with very amateur production values. But this show shines. And that is saying something because I have been listening to the Broadway cast recording since last summer.

And when you are as familiar with the original soundtrack as I am with Mormon, you risk having any regional or touring productions fall far short of the mark—particularly in key roles. But last night I could not keep my eyes off A. J. Hughes as Elder Cunningham whenever he was onstage. He is a genius comedic performer as you must be in that role.

And Alexandra Ncube as Nabulungi was breathtaking. Her voice is exquisite and when she sang Salt Lake City, she had 2,800 people in the palm of her hand.

It is a remarkable show in that the authors are famous for a television show called South Park. I have never seen it but it is famously edgy and probably has the same no-holes-barred take on things that Mormon has. So there were many fans of that show in the audience who, I suspect, have little experience with musicals.

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