Parker, Lopez and Stone's The Book of Mormon

Summary

Hasa Diga Eebowai

In 2011, a musical full of curse words and Mormon missionaries swept that year’s Tony Awards show and was praised among major media outlets as a triumphant return of the American musical. Has everyone gone insane, or is this show a new milestone for musical theatre? This book explores the inherent achievements and failures of The Book of Mormon--one of the most ambitious, and problematic, musicals to achieve widespread success. The metaphor of boxing helps to explore the metaphorical punches that the show’s creative trio deliver and to ruminate over the less-discussed ideological wounds that their style of shock absurdism might leave behind.

Brian Granger carefully examines where The Book of Mormon succeeds and fails, challenging our understanding of musical comedy and our appreciation for this cultural landmark in theatre.

Table of Contents

Preface: The Biggest Man-Balls on Broadway  Introduction: Fit for the Ring: A Training Montage  1. Tradition, Musical Theatre’s Titleholder Versus Its Number One Challenger, Originality (A Win)  2. The Fight America Wanted: Faith as Creative Self-Guidance Versus Faith as Dutiful Collective Obedience (A Win)  3. Cheap Shots: Western Representations of Africa On Stage Versus African Diaspora Realities On Stage (A Loss)  4. A Caution: Putting LGBTQ Advocacy on Queer Street   Conclusion: Split Decision: Defending the Offending Champions

Author(s) Bio

Brian Granger is Assistant Professor of Theatre at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia, and is a songwriter, playwright and alumnus of NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. His works for the stage include Rebel Moon and Dierdre: an a cappella rock opera.