Book of Mormon entertaining, well paced

TicketMOMster review: The Book of Mormon @ Centennial Concert Hall

Someone once told me that grief is like the ocean. The water swallows you up, tosses you around, pulls you under and just when you think you can’t hold your breath any longer, it spits you back on shore. There you lie, exhausted. Your body battered and saturated from the waves. It’s during this time that you rest. You eat. You take care of yourself and you pray when that wave comes and pulls you back in, it’s a little weaker…and you’re a little stronger.

My Father suddenly died last week and after the initial shock, all I could do was cry. My cheeks were never dry. I couldn’t sleep more than a few hours, I couldn’t eat; normal life was impossible and exhausting. The grief was immense and threatened to devour me whole.

During my time in the dark, cold waves, friends, family and complete strangers came to my rescue. They’d send me love and compassion like tiny life preservers propped up under my body so I wouldn’t completely drown in the turbulent waters.

What I wasn’t aware of during this time, was that I was also saving myself. All the events I had planned before my Father died, came at the exact moment I needed them.

The David Foster Miracle Gala came at a time when all I wanted to do was lie on my bedroom floor and cry. But I pushed myself to go because my Father would have been disappointed if I didn’t. It took every ounce of energy to get me through it. But once it was over, the waves bought me to shallower waters and I could briefly touch the sand with my toes. Over the next few days the waters receded and I’m now on the shore. I’m really tired; I’m really hungry; and I feel like…I want to laugh. I just want to laugh.

The one event that would guarantee to make me laugh would be The Book of Mormon, and I had tickets for it tonight. I bought the tickets many months ago and it was finally here, at the exact moment I needed it.

My Husband and I started our date at PEG Beer Co. I don’t drink alcohol, but its right across from the Concert Hall and they make the most delicious roasted free run chicken. So I ate…and I ate. I ate all the things and once it was over, I felt content. Friends of ours met us there for a drink and then we all walked to the Concert Hall together. My Husband and friends had never seen the show, but I saw it last year and was anxious to see it again.

The Book of Mormon received a great response from appreciative audience at Centennial Concert Hall. /ANNE HAWE

The Book of Mormon was written by the same guys who created South Park. If you’re easily offended or very religious, this is not the musical for you. It’s loaded with profanity and no topic is taboo. The writers don’t just step over the line; they hurl themselves over it. There were plenty of times I found myself laughing out of sheer shock and the ridiculousness of it all.

Basically, it’s a story about two missionaries who are sent to convert Ugandans. When they reach Uganda they discover their fellow Mormons have yet to baptize a single person. Hilarity ensues as one missionary inserts pop culture into the Mormon story and the Ugandans change their minds and decide to become Mormons after all.

My favourite part is when the Ugandans act out the new pop culture Mormon story. I was literally doubled over in laughter.

The singing and dancing were fantastic, that cast is so amazing at what they do. I asked my Husband when we got home what he thought of the sound. We were in the first balcony and he said he thought the sound was good, but it was hard to hear what the actors were saying. I had the same problem. I could hear them say something, but I couldn’t always understand it. I don’t think it was an accent issue, but I wonder if it was an enunciation issue.

I said it before and I’ll say it again, The Book of Mormon has ruined all other musicals for me. I really like musicals, but I’ve yet to see a musical more entertaining and well paced than this one.

I’m glad I spent my time on shore laughing with The Book of Mormon. I feel more like myself.

And now it’s time to rest. Good night.