From golden plates to scrotal maggots and even Johnnie Cochran, there is something for (almost) everyone
By Lauren Means | Photos courtesy Julieta Cervantes
In its third appearance in Nashville, “The Book of Mormon” continues to draw crowds. This sometimes vulgar, occasionally offensive musical comedy tells the tale of Mormon missionaries and their plight to convert people to follow the teachings of the “All-American Prophet” Joseph Smith.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone (of South Park fame) along with Robert Lopez (Avenue Q) bring to life a story of two Mormon missionaries-in-training, Elder Kevin Price (Liam Tobin) and Elder Arnold Cunningham (Conner Peirson) on their quest to fulfill their requisite two-year mission in Uganda. While not quite where Elder Price was praying to end up, he is set on doing what other missionaries haven’t been able to do – convert and baptize the people of their Ugandan village.
This task proves difficult with the villagers dealing with AIDS, warlords, and female genitalia mutation. In order to deal with daily life, they even have a phrase to help them get through tough times, “Hasa Diga Eebowai” (you will have to look up that translation yourself!).
As the story progresses, Elder Price ends up on his own soul searching mission and Elder Cunningham manages to do what no one has yet to do, convert the villagers ––– albeit by telling the stories of The Book of Mormon with a bit of a creative license. He does not exactly follow his trainings, and maybe embellishes his teaching a bit (shout-out to Darth Vader and Yoda!), but he does bring hope to this village.
On the surface, “Mormon” seems to poke fun at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but it actually does quite the opposite. It illustrates that it doesn’t matter what you believe, or how crazy it may seem, it’s ok to hang onto whatever you need to get through life.
The cast is amazing and will keep you on your toes with the quips and innuendos. The soundtrack is catchy and you will find yourself humming “Hello” and “Turn it Off” in the days following the show. No matter what, mind your Ps and Qs so you don’t end up having any “Spooky Mormon Hell Dreams”.
“The Book of Mormon” is at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center March 12-17, 2019. For a complete listing of show times and to purchase tickets, visit tpac.org.
Ticket Lottery for The Book of Mormon
The production will conduct a pre-show lottery at the Jackson Hall Box Office, making a limited number of tickets available at $25 apiece. The wildly popular lottery for the Broadway production has attracted as many as 800 entries at some performances. The producers of The Book of Mormon are pleased to offer low-priced lottery seats for every city on the National Tour.
Entries will be accepted at the Jackson Hall Box Office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance; each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on an entry form that is provided. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets in the first two rows of the Orchestra priced at $25 each. Only one entry is allowed per person. Entries are checked for duplication prior to drawing. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Tickets are subject to availability.
