The Book of Mormon: good entertainment

Before the pandemic, The Book of Mormon was all the rage and I could never get tickets when I went to New York. I finally got my hands on a pair... but felt a little underwhelmed.

It's the story of a Mormon young man ready to get on his mission - two years of preaching and trying to convert others, usually after finishing high school. While his other friends go to cool places like Japan, France and Norway, he goes to... Uganda. And he is stuck with a rather obnoxious colleague, Arnold, whose non-existing self-esteem makes his imagination go wild.

The first part is what spoils the musical. The intro number, with all those missionaries knocking on doors, was funny. But the story was so slow to get into motion and when the duo reaches Uganda, it feels like nothing much is happening. And the vulgarity - expected from the producers of South Park - feels misplaced most of the time.

Fortunately, the second part redeems the first one, especially when Arnold... let his imagination run wild. It convinces locals to join the church, but their retelling of what Arnold told them will shock the Elders who will come from Salt Lake City. Also, the vulgarity seems more adequate and the main character's introspection is refreshing.

In short, while not the best musical there is - I still prefer the Phantom of the Opera - it's still worth your time. If you like South Park, then you will love the sarcastic humor and the mocking of the Latter Day saints (it's reminiscent of an episode that made the voice actor for Chef quit, as he was a Mormon).

Final score: 3.4/5 (it lost points for an overhype, in my view)