THE BOOK OF MORMON at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre

(Seen 3/29/11)

Scurrilous and foul-mouthed are apt descriptions of this silly and often-inane depiction of THE BOOK OF MORMON. But underneath all of the shenanigans is an old-fashioned musical comedy about how faith -- in anything -- can overcome adversity, hunger, devastation -- and even savage warlords.

"South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have enlisted "Avenue Q" composer Robert Lopez to collaborate on this fairy tale about two eager young Mormon missionaries who reluctantly go off to Uganda for their first assignment. Their mission is to baptize and save the souls of some down-trodden jungle inhabitants.

In their journey, they find out life here is not a Disney-like Lion King environment, but the trip turns out to be both a revelation and a revitalization about the power of faith.

One of them, played by Andrew Rannells, is an over-achiever; the other, played by Josh Gad, is a bumbling oaf. In the course of two hours, their personalities and roles are totally changed, all due to the satiric approach to religion -- particularly, Mormonism -- which they adapt to their own needs, and the needs of the villagers.

The direction by Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker is right on target for this panoramic show, as they develop the pungent story line which allows all the characters to achieve their happy endings. It doesn't always make sense, but it is continuously funny, and often meaningful.