'Mormon' Musical Coming From 'South Park' Guys

By PopEater Staff Posted Apr 14th 2010 11:51AM

The long-gestating Broadway musical from the guys that brought you 'South Park' won't star Stan, Kyle, Kenny or Cartman, but it will have singing Mormon missionaries and, of course, a controversial theme.

'South Park' masterminds Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Tony-winning 'Avenue Q' creator Robert Lopez, developed 'The Book of Mormon' for a Broadway run starting March 2011, the New York Times' Arts Beat blog is reporting Wednesday.

According to show producers, 'The Book of Mormon' will focus on two young missionaries along with the story of the religion's founder, Joseph Smith. A similar theme was covered by 'South Park' in one of their many religion-swiping episodes. It wasn't as big a take-down as their controversial shots at Scientology or Catholicism, but it still ruffled feathers in the church by mocking its members as gullible.

The episode, which aired in 2003, juxtaposed the story of a Mormon family moving to South Park with the story of Smith. It included a bouncy musical number that begins:

CHORUS: Joseph Smith was called a prophet / Dum, dum, dum, dum, dum / He started the Mormon religion / Dum, dum, dum, dum, dum.

Stone, Parker and Lopez collaborated on the book, music and lyrics for the show. Parker is slated to co-direct with Jason Moore, who helmed 'Avenue Q' and 'Shrek the Musical.' No cast or theater information has been announced.

Tags: south park, The Book of Mormon

Comments

(20)

Wednesday 14 April

By Lou Landini

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Why would they want to do this? People in this church are very honest, charitable, willing to serve their fellow man, and desire the very best for everyone. Also, this church is uniquely American. They worship Christ and believe in the Atonement. They believe in being independent and prepared. They believe in the family and the importance of family in our lives. I think to our nations dismay, we trash the best in society.

By Jason

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DUM, dum, dum, dum, dum...

Thursday 15 April

By Greg

In all fairness, the South Park episode they mention portrays the Mormons as you described -- loving, charitable, honest, generous, focused, forgiving, family-oriented, and genuinely happy. The episode also makes a powerful statement about faith. Gary, the Mormon kid, says the following at the end of the episode:

"Look, maybe us Mormons do believe in crazy stories that make absolutely no sense, and maybe Joseph Smith did make it all up -- but I have a great life and a great family, and I have the Book of Mormon to thank for that. The truth is, I don't care if Joseph Smith made it all up, because what the church teaches now is loving your family, being nice, and helping people. And even though people in this town may think that's stupid, I still choose to believe in it."

I think the Mormons don't have TOO much to worry about with regards to this musical.

By Bird

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

LDS is a cult.... not a church.

By craig

Although its always wrong to mock others, Mormonism is a false religion and must be exposed for what it really is

By Pat Thomas

Yes, they desire the best for everyone, but only if those 'everyones' are Mormon and you adhere to their strict rules. Otherwise, you are a heathen. The importance of family? Yes, but only if the family members stay Mormon and adhere to the rules, otherwise they will cast you out like last nights trash.

By Jack

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Pat & Craig. You are both very ignorant and bitter people.
The Mormons have helped more non-Mormons than any other religious organization has ever helped anyone in the history of helping people. Look it up! Example: The Mormons had trucks loaded with supplies on their way to New Orleans before the storms ever hit land. Tons of supplies went to Haiti. etc.
Where ever there is trouble, the Mormons are likely there heling in some way.
False religion? Expose them for what they really are? Are you kidding me?
All religions are in all likelyhood False. Ask Bill Maher. Expose them, for being the unreported helping hand to the world is more like it.
Don't be a hater, just because you don't understand true generosity.

By withheld by request

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i am a 56-year-old international bestselling author and filmmaker and i think South Park is the best show on television...not to mention the sharpest social critics on the planet.

By Kacey

... and I'm Jesus.

Thursday 22 April

By Kylej_721@hotmail.com

and I'm Richard Simmons. Go south park!!! YAYYYYY!

By muddytrane

Didn't they already do this theme in their movie Orgazmo?

By PastaRasta

I freaking loved Orgazmo! (It had actual real porn stars in it!)

I would like to start a porn-related religion and get tax breaks because of it.

Any advice?

By SASSY

They will do anything to make a dollar. To bad they won't be able to spend it in Hell. :)

Monday 19 April

By ibwilliamsi

Too bad you don't know how to spell "too".

By mike

Love it!!! Will always be a fan of southpark!!! Keep bringin em!!!!

By jazzfanal

Craig, Pat and Bird--grow up and learn tolerance.

Saturday 24 April

By Frank

The Mormon episode was very funny, I hope the musical meets their usual standard of hilarity and wisdom. I have Mormon family members who are incredibly nice and generous, just like they were portrayed in the episode, and wonderfully hokey. They may do good things for humanity, but I do find their intolerance toward gay people to be nothing short of disgusting and counter intuitive. I'd like them a little more if they stuck to doing charity work instead of voting for prop-8.

By JeN

I love it!!!! I am sooooo excited. I don't understand why people get so upset over a cartoon that literally makes fun of EVERYONE. No one is safe, yet people get their panties in a wad and act suprised when they make fun of something they are fond of. Whatever. It's a catroon! If you are so high and mighty, why are you watching anyways???

By Liz

There is a reason that they continually use Mormon themes. One of them (or maybe both, I can't remember) was raised Mormon. They likely have many Mormon family members and childhood friends.

Friday 30 April

By Karol

kin Mormons totally suck! thier a cult who
pushes thier religion on everyone. I hatr
them and wish thier churches would burn down.

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