***** As someone who attends over 200 plays per year ( well over), three are always some productions that outshine the others. I am a lover of all Sondheim musicals, and over the years have fallen in love with the work of Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone, the creators of “Avenue Q” and the hysterical, satirical look at religion, “The Book of Mormon”, as well as the television series “South Park”. These writers are geniuses when creating satirical looks, and in this case, with the craziness that our world is experiencing, we all need a good laugh. This is just what the doctor ordered!

For those of you who are unaware of the story, “The Book of Mormon” is about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, A/K/A The Mormons, and take sus on a journey as two recruits, Elder Price ( deftly handled by Ethan Davenport) and Elder Cunningham ( played to perfection by Jacob Aune) are shipped off to be partners and to bring Jesus Christ to the people of Uganda. As it turns out, the people of the village they are assigned to have no interest in religion, but do have interest in survival.

Cunningham and Price are not very compatible as a team, and the other missionaries that were sent previously have had zero success. The village people ( not the singing group, but the other cast members) are concerned about HIV/AIDS, famine, and a local warlord, The General ( a powerful performance by Shafiq Lamar Hicks).

While the missionaries have failed, it seems that Cunningham has become infatuated with Nabulungi ( adorably played by Amaya Hardin) and convinces her to listen to his story of religion. As we learned at the very start of the story, Cunningham has a problem with truth, making up stories that seem plausible, and when all else seems to be failing, he creates his own version of the Mormon faith and its beliefs. While Price gets nowhere trying to salvage his worth, Cunningham’s story gets to the villagers, and he is able to baptize many, convincing the Mission President to come and reward the missionaries there. This even brings Price and Cunningham close again.

It seems the villagers have written their own play to present to the Mission President and his staff, and as we see, their play is the retelling of the Cunningham misrepresentations, causing great dismay to those missionaries. The president orders all the missionaries to pack their bags and go home, but Price and Cunningham convince the others that there is hope for the people of this village, and of course, for them. They stay and gain more followers, but with a slightly different book to believe in. A real hoot!

This is a strong production, and I must say, the best one that I have seen. The original production was directed by Casey Nicholaw & Trey Parker, with choreography by Nicholaw. This production has made some changes and alterations by Jennifer Werner. I always say, a play is different when a different stage, different director, and of course different cast take to the stage. This production proves that. My wife never liked this play, but tonight, she loved every minute of it!

To make a show like this work, the ensemble has to be one of high energy and the ability to change costumes quickly.  I was quite impressed by the talents of Evan Scott Shields, Jarius Miquel Cliett, Jonathan Grunert, Kyle Ahmeer Bethea, Dylan Bivings, Isiah Bostic, Matt Cosco, Zach Doran, Jayson Gorton, Thomas Flynn Gray, Keith Gruber, Taye Martin, Kayla Louison, Alesha Jeter, Noah A. Jackson, Rayna J., Kevin T. Mazur, Jackson Murrieta, Charlie Murtha, Jarius Newman, Brooke Noelani, Myriam Zamy, Mitchell Wiley, Elle White, Ronnie Spoto and Michael Reed. Great work!

The songs are plentiful and are used to move the story along. Ones that will stick in your mind are “Turn It Off”, “Two By Two”, “You and Me, But Mostly Me” and probably, the opening and closing “Hello”. For those of you who truly know the musical, watch closely as some additions speak to the political world of today as well as Darth Vader, Genghis Khan, Adolph Hitler, and even Johnnie Cochran. You might even see Jeffrey Epstein! If you need to escape from your world and just spend 2 plus hours laughing, this is the show that will get the job done!

“The Book of Mormon” will continue through Nov 1st with performances as follows: