Greetings! Many previous posts
on this site refer to sacred sites. I've written about jogging in and around
sacred sites and times when I felt it crossed the boundaries to tread on holy
ground. As a religion professor, it's no surprise I hold sacred items and ideas
in high regard. Last weekend we went to see the musical, The Book of Mormon. We missed the
performance last year as it toured through Atlanta. I have read the
reviews, and I am fully aware of the background of its three principal writers.
Confusion came as I also know the show has won a number of Tony Awards. I
wanted to see how this actually played out on stage.
Make no mistake, the sets, singers
and dancers met high expectations. However, the lyrics and dialog
showcased a total disrespect for the sacred. The show uses The Book of Mormon and members of the Church of Jesus
Christ and the Latter Day Saints as the focal point to then make light or
religion writ large. That is fine, too. I poke fun myself. However, the
show's overuse of juvenile sex and bathroom humor missed the
mark. Actually that is my real issue. The puerile entertainment appeared
to work, even in the Bible Belt. The show sells out town to town,
audiences cheer and applaud, even though many audience members are the very
bull's-eye of the script. I haven't figured out who would even consider this
base level of writing to be award worthy. That's another piece, and one not
worth pursuing.
A final concern is the conversation
I heard and took part in during the intermission and after the show.
Show folks really believe they are getting authentic information about The Book of Mormon and the people who hold it as
sacred. I have yet to mention the caricature made of Uganda and African people.
"Oh, everyone knows it's just entertainment." I've been teaching for
over 20 years and college students refer to television and movies more often
than lived experience as a sources of information at astounding rates (yes- I’ve
been collecting data). I guess I shouldn't. Facts are not as interesting as a
holy book up someone's rectum or maggots in an African's scrotum.
Go to musicals. Get provoked. Run.
Tom
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