A confession: I rolled my eyes when Broadway in Tucson announced the road show of “The Book of Mormon” was returning to Tucson.
It was funny and all the first time, but come on, isn’t it a one-joke musical?
Nope.
The strong production currently on stage at Centennial Hall is chock-full of jokes. And bad taste. And catchy tunes. And lots and lots of heart. It charmed just as much as it had before.
“The Book of Mormon” is from the folks that gave us “South Park” — Trey Parker and Matt Stone. And they did with this Tony-winning musical what they do with the cartoon — give us the shocks, the laughs, but end up with something to say.
Lots to say, actually: on colonialism, religion, disease, poverty. And hope.
The story takes us to a remote village in Uganda, where Elder Price (Kevin Clay) and Elder Cunningham (Conner Peirson) have been sent on a mission to convert residents to their Mormon religion.
Expecting a “Lion King” version of Africa, they instead find a village where a warlord regularly wreaks havoc, AIDS has run rampant, and poverty is pervasive. Is it any wonder the residents have come up with a catchy saying to try to get through: “Hasa Diga Eebowai.” The shocking-to-some translation can’t be printed in a family paper, but be assured it does not mean “no worries for the rest of your days.”
The villagers agree to listen to Elder Cunningham read from “The Book of Mormon” but, well, it’s boring. He’s losing them. So he uses his overactive imagination to create stories that will compel but still get the message across about living a good and kind life.
And while this is all going on, the play comments on colonialism, sexual politics and, of course, religion.
The cast of this road show vibrated with energy. Peirson captivates as the geeky Elder Cunningham; his voice soars and he is the perfect physical clown. Kevin Clay as his Ken dollish partner, Elder Price, has a strong voice and clearly defines the character’s arrogance and journey.
Kayla Pecchioni is all innocence and gumption as the optimistic Nabulungi, the young villager who inspires the rest to listen to Elder Cunningham’s story. She caressed the audience when she sang the powerful and often funny “Sal Tlay Ka Siti.”
“The Book of Mormon” is an almost-tender homage to Broadway musicals. A favorite moment: the play-within-the play retelling of the Joseph Smith story — it was a major nod to the “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” scene in “The King and I.”
Yes, this play is completely irreverent. But it is never cruel. It’s a musical with a big heart, smart songs and endless laughs. The sold-out Centennial Hall audience on Wednesday night did not waste a second before jumping to its feet to applaud at the end. It was a well-deserved standing O.
