No, it’s not a joke! The creators of ‘South Park,’ Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have turned the Book of Mormon into a musical that will have its debut on Broadway next month. Given the South Park folks penchant for irreverence around all-things religion, it is sure to be hilarious–and probably offensive, too.
Early reviewers are reporting the following about the broadway debut: “[T]hat despite the shock value of the show’s obscenity-laden musical centerpiece,” writes Joanna Brooks at Religion Dispatches, “The Book of Mormon musical is actually sweet on Mormons, depicting us–for all of our unique beliefs and, well, cultural corniness–not as caricatures but as good-natured human beings who really just want to help.”
Sweet on Mormons, you say?
And just the other day, the LDS Church made it’s official response:
“The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.”
Well, we’ll see if it’s entertaining. I’m going to see the musical on March 15th with my fellow blogger (Flunking Sainthood) and hilariously awesome friend (who also happens to be Mormon), Jana Riess. I can’t wait!