Idaho Statesman Logo

Michael Deeds: You’ll laugh at ‘Book of Mormon,’ but you might not leave feeling good | Idaho Statesman

×
  • E-edition
  • Home
    • Customer Service
    • Mobile & Apps
    • Archives
    • Buy Photos and Pages
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletters
    • Newspaper in Education
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Services

    • News
    • Boise
    • West Ada
    • Canyon County
    • Crime
    • State News
    • Nation/World News
    • Databases
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Idahoans in the Military
    • Weather
    • Traffic
    • Helping Works
    • In the Classroom
    • Our Community
    • Sports
    • Boise State Football
    • Boise State Basketball
    • Idaho Vandals
    • High Schools
    • Bronco Beat
    • Chadd Cripe
    • Varsity Extra Blog
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • NHL
    • MLB
    • Golf
    • Idaho Politics
    • Elections
    • Government and Business
    • Capitol & State
    • Letters from the West
    • National Politics
    • Business
    • Business Insider
    • Business Columns & Blogs
    • Personal Finance
    • Legal Notices
    • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Bill Manny
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Guest Opinion
    • Submit a Letter or Opinion
    • Entertainment
    • Events Calendar
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Arts and Culture
    • Festivals
    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie Showtimes
    • Music
    • Television
    • Books
    • Comics
    • Puzzles & Games
    • Horoscopes
    • Puzzles
    • Words & Deeds
    • ArtsBeat
    • Outdoors
    • Playing Outdoors Blog
    • Biking
    • Camping
    • Fishing
    • Hiking and Trails
    • Hunting
    • Winter Recreation
    • Living
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Fitness
    • Home & Garden
    • Treasure
    • Pets
    • Religion
    • Travel
    • Best of Treasure Valley
    • Heart of the Treasure Valley
    • Margaret Lauterbach
    • Tim Woodward
    • Carolyn Hax
  • Obituaries

  • Contests
  • Advertise
  • Classifieds
  • Jobs
  • Cars
  • Homes
  • Place An Ad

  • About Us
  • Mobile & Apps

Words & Deeds

Words & Deeds

Michael Deeds: You’ll laugh at ‘Book of Mormon,’ but you might not leave feeling good

By Michael Deeds - mdeeds@idahostatesman.com

    ORDER REPRINT →

July 23, 2015 10:54 AM

Two people seated in front of me disappeared after intermission Wednesday night at “The Book of Mormon,” which is playing a sold-out run at the Morrison Center through Sunday.

Who could blame them? Despite the Tony Award-winning musical’s widespread acclaim, it’s impossible to be entirely prepared for the sledgehammer barrage of crazy-profane, nothing-is-sacred humor.

My wife was pleased that the man and woman left; she could finally see past the tall guy’s head.

But did we really even need to witness the rest of the performance?

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The Idaho Statesman

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

We laughed at “The Book of Mormon.” A lot. Particularly during the first half, which ends by resolving the storyline’s primary challenge and sapping potential from the rest of the show.

But by intermission, I wasn’t just less interested in the remaining plot about clueless Mormon missionaries visiting Africa. I had a strange, bummed-out feeling about why we were all guffawing.

My take isn’t unique. Since it opened on Broadway in 2011, “The Book of Mormon” has lit an incendiary debate about satire versus tasteless comedy. Some reviewers have found its depiction of African stereotypes to be racist. It’s tough to disagree. It often feels like “South Park” running wild on Red Bull and steroids — finally released from the shackles of Comedy Central’s already-lenient television censors. This makes sense, considering that “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone co-wrote “The Book” with Robert Lopez (“Avenue Q”).

If you love scatological humor, you’ll be brought to tears. But if you’re bored by jokes involving sacred books jammed up rectums or infant rape, or you find yourself yawning during dance numbers involving choreographed diarrhea simulations, well …

As others have noted, “The Book of Mormon” doesn’t just stomp a mud hole in the chest of Mormonism (and it nails those gags perfectly). It gleefully trashes faith, in general. There’s something depressing about that. (I am not a churchgoer, incidentally. Just a confirmed Lutheran as a kid.)

The cast is mostly fantastic: gifted, energetic, even athletic. The show is layered, fast-paced and pokes fun at other musicals, despite being formulaic itself. “Hello,” that brilliantly annoying Mormon doorbell-ringing song, is still stuck in my tortured head.

Is “The Book of Mormon” genuinely mean? Maybe I’m as naïve as Elder Cunningham, but when it comes to Broadway smashes visiting Boise, I walked out feeling a lot better after the other “Wicked” experience.

  Comments  

Videos

Here’s what it feels like to be caressed at a Snuggle Buddiez session

The Record Exchange in Boise bought 64,000 records from the Yesteryear Shoppe in Nampa

View More Video

Trending Stories

Canyon County woman will serve up to 16 years in ‘horrific’ child torture case

February 14, 2019 02:17 PM

4 Boise teens, including 3 refugees from Tanzania, arrested for suspected rape of 18-year-old

February 15, 2019 11:10 AM

Farmers market to leave heart of Downtown Boise. Here’s where it’s going, and why

February 15, 2019 04:13 PM

‘More modern. More fun. Super authentic.’ New Asian restaurant plans to open in Boise

February 14, 2019 12:28 PM

Treasure Valley team earns first girls state win in 18 years on strong day for locals

February 14, 2019 04:18 PM

Read Next

After ‘amazing transformation,’ here’s when Knitting Factory Concert House will reopen

Words & Deeds

After ‘amazing transformation,’ here’s when Knitting Factory Concert House will reopen

By Michael Deeds

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 14, 2019 02:27 PM

The Knitting Factory Concert House in Boise, which closed for remodeling after a fire in September 2018, plans to reopen during the first week of March. Improvements include better sight lines and a new bar.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The Idaho Statesman

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE WORDS & DEEDS

‘More modern. More fun. Super authentic.’ New Asian restaurant plans to open in Boise

Words & Deeds

‘More modern. More fun. Super authentic.’ New Asian restaurant plans to open in Boise

February 14, 2019 12:28 PM
5 Things to Do This Weekend in Boise: concerts, comedy, sports, free ice skating

Words & Deeds

5 Things to Do This Weekend in Boise: concerts, comedy, sports, free ice skating

February 14, 2019 10:21 AM
Californians love this ‘amazing’ Boise restaurant. Locals, too. Now a 2nd one will open

Words & Deeds

Californians love this ‘amazing’ Boise restaurant. Locals, too. Now a 2nd one will open

February 13, 2019 11:08 AM
New Outlaw Field concert is a smokin’ deal. (Also, the band has its own brand of weed.)

Words & Deeds

New Outlaw Field concert is a smokin’ deal. (Also, the band has its own brand of weed.)

February 12, 2019 10:00 AM
Mom! A new Outlaw Field summer concert! It’s spendy — but he’s ‘absolutely wonderful’

Words & Deeds

Mom! A new Outlaw Field summer concert! It’s spendy — but he’s ‘absolutely wonderful’

February 11, 2019 05:00 AM
Don’t waffle, Idaho. Wait, do! Eat burgers, fries AND Belgian delights at new restaurant

Words & Deeds

Don’t waffle, Idaho. Wait, do! Eat burgers, fries AND Belgian delights at new restaurant

February 07, 2019 03:54 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Idaho Statesman App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Archives
Advertising
  • Information
  • Place a Classified
  • Local Deals
  • Place an Obituary
  • Today's Circulars
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story