Musical Review Monday: Book of Mormon

With 9 Tony Awards (including Best Musical) in 2011 and bold endorsements like “It's the funniest musical of all time,” (Vogue) and  “It's the best musical of this century,” (The New York Times), I knew I haaad to see Book of Mormon when it came to the Pantages in Hollywood. To add to my extreme excitement, Gavin Creel (who I completely fell in LOVE with after seeing him play Claude in Hair on Broadway (twice) with Mary) is playing the lead (Elder Price) on the national tour. 

For those unfamiliar with the plot, here's a brief synopsis: Two young Mormon missionaries are sent to a remote village in Uganda which is controlled by a brutal warlord. Naïve and optimistic, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham try to share the Book of Mormon—which only one of them knows very well—but have trouble connecting with the locals. 

Garrett got us tickets (a word to the wise: you can save a lot of moolah by getting the tickets in-person at Pantages box office!) and we had a wonderful time.  The play is hugely sacrilegious and politically incorrect to pretty much every type of person but it's done in a way that's ridiculously hilarious instead of offensive. I was laughing out loud big time (and continue to laugh out loud weeks later as I listen to the soundtrack at my desk). 

I couldn't find any videos of my boy Gavin performing as Elder Price, sadly, but here is a great video of Andrew Rannells (who originated the role on Broadway) performing at the Tonys last year. (Sidenote: he and Gavin are currently dating... which is A.) heartbreaking to me for several obvious reasons and B.) ironic/weird since they are playing the same role. #ElderPricesUnite). 

I wholeheartedly give this musical 2 thumbs up.  LA people- it's at the Pantages until 11/25, so don't delay... see it ASAP! Other people- if it comes anywhere near you, I highly suggest you see it as well. It's hilarious and fantastic. :-)

xoxo, 

Annie.