Few things were ever as good as they were prior to the pandemic. In a time when society changed radically, it’s difficult to see anything lasting as long as it used to. However, there’s one musical that has withstood the test of time better than almost any show of the past decade. The Book of Mormon came out in 2011 and became the irreverent sensation that helped launch the career of Andrew Rannells and gave listeners a taste of a Pre-Frozen (2013) composer named Robert Lopez. Still, in a time of mega musicals, it’s amazing that the one that still packs the most houses is The Book of Mormon: a show that lampoons the entire history of theater and features a character named General Butt Naked. What exactly has kept it thriving with audiences coming two by two? It could be the music, or that it’s easy to genuinely believe in the power of comedy.
With the latest stop over at The Segerstrom Theater for the Performing Arts, the past few Fridays have been filled with laughter. It’s likely that it could be heard at the mall across the street with many referencing their favorite moments on the way home. It’s a show that has now proved that it deserves to stand among the greats. Given that, of the three touring productions I’ve seen, this ranks among my absolute favorite depictions, I thought that I’d explain why the show resonates in spite of songs openly insulting religious figures and joking about dysentery and zoophilia. It’s one of those classic equal opportunity offenders that Trey Parker and Matt Stone have become known for. However, I’d argue the reason this has aged better than something like South Park is simply the presentation of the humor.
It is easy to see The Book of Mormon as “attacking” Mormonism, but I’d argue that is to see the show as something too cut and dry. Had it been driven by shock, chances are it would’ve closed long ago once the punchline became well-known. Instead, it’s better to view the show less as a religious satire and more as one on something distinctly American. As the opening number declares, it’s the story of untrained salesmen. They are less likely to quote directly from their text than any of the many pop culture scriptures that they’ve taken to heart. They are, after all, 19. Without much life experience, they can’t exactly be called experts on anything. Why, they can’t even understand how to deal with each other.
Yes, the songs are packed to the brim with clever lines. “Turn It Off” is wonderfully subversive in how it comments on the lasting impacts of trauma. “Sal Tlay Ka Sitee” manages to turn the stereotypes on America by commenting on how “human life has worth.” If anyone has read the news in the past few years, especially coming out of conservative hot spots like Elder Price’s favorite place Orlando, FL, the pain of that joke is not lost. It’s maybe the toughest to laugh at because it’s acknowledging within the values we are taught is exclusion. Mormonism may not be the center target of that particular joke, but even noticing how the cast barely treats each other with respect, it’s hard not to see that these are things that everyone hopes to learn. That, and the score is a hotbed for musical references no matter how obvious (The Lion King) or obscure (Sunday in the Park With George). Again, it’s all a commentary on how we may not all follow the same religion, but we all have metaphorical doctrines we follow.
The jokes work less because of any punching down, but more because everyone has their biased blind spots. While a lot of it feels inherent to an older, more brash approach to humor, even the off-color remarks are less vitriolic and more naivety. Again, how can 19-year-olds hope to teach anyone how to believe when they don’t understand the world that surrounds them? This is a learning experience from both sides. While Africa is still painted as war-torn and poverty-stricken, the characters have enough agency to recognize when they’re being sold hooey. They could use help, but having a few new things to believe won’t do the trick.
I think that a major reason that The Book of Mormon has withstood the test of time is for several reasons. After a few visits, I think that the jokes have become old hat and familiar. While I think the craft in the dancing and stage production remains as brilliant as ever, the fight to make the more juvenile jokes funny is difficult. However, I think that they work because they are character-driven, finding it an excuse to watch Elder Price learn to think outside of himself and for Elder Cunningham to stop being a follower. The premise is a very conventional buddy comedy that goes back to the days of vaudeville. There will come a day when Star Wars (1977) jokes cease to be funny on name recognition alone. Until then, the absurd, knock-off Darth Vader and Yoda cameos will continue to tickle. It’s less because we know their names, but because everyone under 40 likely has used them as a metaphor or selling point for something.
That, and Robert Lopez is just that good. Along with Parker & Stone, they have made some of the catchiest musical numbers of the 21st century. Whereas most shows get by with earnestness, having most of the songs convey complicated emotions under witticisms and puns shows something more difficult. Again, lesser songwriters would eventually grow tired of the gimmick. With The Book of Mormon, it’s something grander. “Two By Two” is an operatic circus built around one actor expressing his first signs of doubt. The struggle to keep going when the crowd is smiling is the show’s real stroke of genius. Given that this is also my favorite dance number in the show, it reflects how much work was put into reflecting character development even through slapstick. Elder Price mopes for a few seconds before being forced to fall in line. Even then, it’s hard to think he’s doing it willingly.
Then again, it could be as simple as having something that makes every audience member respond differently. For those initiated, it’s a chance to revisit a beloved favorite. For those new to it, the genuine laughter allows for a sense of community to form. Everyone is welcome at The Book of Mormon (well, if you’re 18+, as it’s a very adult show), so long as you’re willing to engage with your own beliefs. Maybe it’s how silly religion is. Maybe it’s how America is way too codependent on media. Maybe it’s just that you like show tunes and want to see some clever takes on tap dancing. I love it all and am grateful that it has lasted, even in a time when Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton have faded. While none of them have truly disappeared, it’s hard to imagine the modern landscape without The Book of Mormon playing somewhere. All you have to do is answer the door the next time the bell rings.
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