Donny and Marie Invited to See 'Book of Mormon'

By Rob Shuter Posted May 11th 2011 10:20AM

Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, the amazingly talented two lead actors of Broadway's monster hit, 'The Book Of Mormon,' tell me Donny and Marie Osmond have an "open invitation" to come and see the show whenever they want.

Chatting with both Tony Award-nominated actors backstage at LXTV, it was obvious that they couldn't be prouder to be part of the show. That said, neither should hold their breath about getting Donny or Marie, proud members of the LDS Church, to come out and see the controversial but hilarious show.

"It's never going to happen," a friend of Donny and Marie tells me. "They both take their faith very seriously and have no interest in paying to see it mocked in the name of what some people call entertainment."

The live-action musical centers on two 19-year-old Mormon missionaries who are sent to Uganda for their two-year mission. Their faith is challenged when they encounter poverty, malaria and AIDS ... and hilarity ensues.

The Church's top PR guy, Michael Otterson, said in Washington Post Op-Ed that the real danger of Trey Parker and Matt Stone's musical is if people "leave a theater believing that Mormons really do live in some kind of a surreal world of self-deception and illusion."

"I like every Mormon I've ever met. They're just so damn nice," Stone admitted to PopEater at a special preview in New York City back in February. "We aren't as worried about Mormons. It's the critics," Parker added.

My pal Kathie Lee Gifford has made it clear that this wasn't her cup of tea and her quote about it -- "This is NOT a family show" -- has even become part of its advertising.

But to say the show has been a hit with other celebs would be an understatement. The night I saw 'Mormon,' I was seated in the same row as Sandra Bullock and her sister, while Sting and Trudie Styler were right behind me! And just last weekend Anderson Cooper tweeted how much he enjoyed getting a chance to see it.

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Tags: Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, The Book of Mormon

Comments

(8)

Wednesday 11 May

By Andy

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The LDS church needs to change their PR man.. he can't see the opportunity for the microscope... and for that matter neither can President Monson nor the Osmonds. This like my own foundation, "The New Jerusalem Foundation", is "Latter Day Saint - hood." It is the voice of Christ calling loud and clear... The importance is not in the doubters the importance is in the "voice". Let it speak to those who will hear."

Isaiah

By mo

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When you are in the middle of delusion, you cannot see it. The old adage, you can't see the forest for the trees. (sometimes it's written 'through the trees). Sometimes you don't know you are depressed until the fog lifts. It is the same as Mormonism. While you are in it, you cannot fathom another way of being. You cannot know that there is another truth as true as The Truth that you are taught from the earliest of ages is the ONLY TRUTH. And so they do not see what else is there. I think when people see the show, they will see what Mormons who wise up and leave "the fold" to seek higher truths see, precisely what the spokesman (and of course it's a man) that "Mormons really do live in some kind of surreal world of self-deception and illusion". He couldn't have put it better!

By khoury208

It is so true! Living around members of the LDS church can be very trying when you see how tunnel-visioned their beliefs truly are. I am the same age as Donny Osmond, and when I was a tween oh so many years ago, he was my man! When I heard he was Morman, I wasn't fazed. Now, as an adult, I feel sadness for him and all other believers of the LDS faith....Yes, they are good people, but they miss the whole truth of Jesus Christ. I just wish they would take the Name of Jesus Christ off their religion.

By jessmcalli

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Please spare the condescending attitudes. One could just as easily say that the both of you are delusional, or "missing the whole truth of Jesus Christ".

Sunday 15 May

By bluto

I think Anderson Cooper would be singing a different tune if the Mormon theme was replaced with a gay theme.

Mock and ridicule the GLBT folks and there would be riots in the streets.

As for Sandra Bullock, Have all your movies....Not Anymore!

By Diana

I wonder what kind of mirror's these actress's use. It can't
possibly be the same one's the rest of us use.
Why do they want to look like they came out of a FREAK show.
Marie look's like a JOKE.
Here's a clue, Thick lip's are only attractive on people
that are born with them.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Allison

Neither Donny nor Marie are faithful Mormons. Marie is twiced divorced, drinks wine, and was not a virgin when she first married. Donny has smoked, does drink beer on occasion, and he does cuss.

These 2 pompous arses need to grow up. It's just a freakin' play.

Tuesday 17 May

By katt221

And you know all this information how? YOU need to grow up and stop telling lies.

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