MARK AUERBACH
HARTFORD, Conn. – The highly-hyped, highly-accoladed, and highly-awarded Broadway blockbuster, “The Book of Mormon”, is playing Hartford’s Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts through month’s end. This witty, funny, and potty-mouthed creation of the “South Park” and “Avenue Q” guys, brilliantly designed, choreographed, and staged, and exuberantly performed, is as good as the Broadway version, and it exceeds the high expectations set up by the hype surrounding the musical. I haven’t laughed as much all winter.
Mark Evans
THE BOOK OF MORMON First National Tour
(c) Joan Marcus, 2013
“South Park” geniuses Trey Parker and Matt Stone and “Avenue Q” composer Robert Lopez (who won the Oscar a couple of weeks ago for his song “Let It Go” from “Frozen”) tell the story of Mormon missionaries, who are sent to poverty-stricken, AIDS-ravaged Uganda. Their ability to interact with a diferent culture, sell the concept of Mormon, and change lives, is challenged every step of the way. “The Book of Mormon”, one of the rare musicals in recent years which is not adapted from a movie, has a clever, fast-moving story, some real tuneful Broadway melodies, and accents of “Wicked”, “The Lion King” and a very funny second-act production number with hints of Jerome Robbins’ “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” ballet from “The King and I”.
Choreographer Casey Nicholaw, one of the best on Broadway today, staged the show’s dazzling musical nnumbers, and co-staged the show with Trey Parker. The entire production has a slick pace. Scott Pask’s sets are terrific, and Ann Roth’s costumes and Brian MacDevitt’s lighting are right on the mark.
Phyre Hawkins, Mark Evans, Christopher John O’Neill
THE BOOK OF MORMON First National Tour
(c) Joan Marcus, 2013
The entire cast was spot-on, and Mark Evans and Christopher John O’Neil as the two elders on assignment in Uganda, shine. Evans is a powerhouse singer, and he puts over the musical’s anthem “I Believe” magnificently. O’Neill plays an ill-at-ease, bumbling kind of guy with comedic charm. Alexandra Ncube shines as Nabulungi. The entire cast is polished.
“The Book of Mormon” showcases the finest fresh creative talent on Broadway today. There are very few tickets left for the Hartford run, so do what you can to score a pair. From Hartford, the show moves on to Boston and Providence, and the Broadway company will be playing New York for a long time to come.
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts presents “The Book of Mormon”. Book, music, and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone. Directed by Casey Nicholaw and Matt Stone. Music Supervision and Vocal Arrangement by Stephen Oremus. Choreography by Casey Nicholaw. Scenic design by Scott Pask. Costume design by Ann Roth. Lighting design by Brian MacDevitt. Sound design by Brian Ronan. Through March 30, 2014 at The Bushnell, Hartford 860-987-5900 or www.bushnell.org. Performances in Boston April 1-27; and Providence April 29-May 11.For “The Book of Mormon” information on Broadway and touring productions: http://www.bookofmormonbroadway.com/
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
