By Gordon Durich
Thousand Oaks, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/9/25 – American Theatre Guild’s “The Book of Mormon” was simply sensational, deserving the Standing Ovation it received.
Presented by Broadway in Thousand Oaks, this international Tony Award-winner, in its theme and presence, is about the plight of misplaced missionaries sent to spread the Good Word, in remote Africa of all places. It was a dose of constant laughs as a duo of American youngsters, who prayed to go on a glamorous assignment, but instead face language difficulties, being only one of many complications, with hilarious consequences being the result.
Both Sam McLellan as Elder Price and sidekick Diego Enrico nailed it in the pivotal roles, high comedic energy. The ensemble all rocked it, equally. Keke Nesbitt as Nabulungi is super, vocally –and dramatically but especially comically.
The music, songs, sound or visual effects were all brilliant, and the choreography was on the mark!
Sitting through “Mormon” a second time was almost a new experience. A revelation! I actually have a problem with blasphemy but somehow this show is more uproarious rather than offensive, mirthful instead of mocking and not to be taken seriously, as nothing is off limits!
The creatives behind “The Book of Mormon”, “South Park’s” Trey Parker, Robert Lopez of “Frozen” fame, (Book, music and lyrics) and Matt Stone (“South Park”) positioned this work at the intersection of cerebral and whacky. Laugh out loud. Or leave! And no one did it appeared.
A full house on a wet Thursday night opening said hello to “The Book of Mormon” and the show says “Goodbye” on Feb. 9, at the Fred Kavli Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center.
“The Book Of Mormon” is still saying “Hello” in London and on Broadway, at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, both booking for well over a decade.
www.bapacthousandoaks.com. www.americantheatreguild.com