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Coincidence is that sly woman whose timing is so very unnervingly perfect.
Like, for example, one finishing up Ron Chernow’s fantastic biography of Mark Twain — at more than 1,000 pages, a tome in every sense of the word — at the beginning of the week and “The Book of Mormon” rolling into Bass Hall at the end of the week.
My cup runneth over in satire, my favorite literary device, the gift that has kept on giving since at least ancient Greece. It knows no sacred cows. It does not discriminate. And it hits harder than Mike Tyson ever dreamed.
Whether revealing the absurdity of politics, the hypocrisy of social norms, or the vanity of human nature, satire keeps delivering time and again.
Once observing a disconnect between people using religion as moral cover while acting immorally — especially leaders of religious institutions — Twain once famously said: “If Christ were here now, there is one thing he would not be — a Christian.”
Religion, doctors, and public figures were all subjected to the whip of Twain’s spirited pen at some point. Had he not died just as Ford’s mass assembly operation began to gain full steam, the mechanic would have gotten it, make no mistake about it.
But satire done well is great writing. And it’s also entertaining as hell.
If Twain were here today, he’d likely greet “The Book of Mormon” musical with a wicked grin, a standing ovation, and choruses of “bravo.” He’d get a kick out of it, much like everybody else has over the past 15 years.
“The Book of Mormon” is back in Fort Worth at Bass Hall for the weekend — Friday through Sunday. There are limited seats available. Bass Hall is also conducting a digital lottery, which will begin accepting entries the day before each performance from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fans who have been selected will be notified daily via email and can then purchase up to two tickets at $25 each. Go here to put your name in the hat.
Since opening in 2011, “The Book of Mormon” has become one of the most successful shows in Broadway history, breaking the Eugene O’Neill Theatre house record more than 50 times.
In addition to nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album, “The Book of Mormon” earned five Drama Desk Awards (including Best Musical), the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Best Musical, and four Outer Critics Circle Awards, also including Best Musical.
The tour is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner, based on the original Broadway direction and choreography.
The work is the genius of writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone — the creators of the high temple of irreverence, “South Park” — and Robert Lopez.
They lampoon not only religion and blind doctrinal acceptance, but also colonialism and the concept of American exceptionalism in the missionaries’ belief that they are bringing salvation to the “lost” people of Uganda. It exposes the arrogance of a colonial-era mind-set in assuming Western values just simply naturally improve the lives of others.
I saw “The Book of Mormon" a few years ago. I was the beneficiary of the ticket that a friend didn’t use. He won’t admit it, but I think he was uncomfortable with the subject matter. And that’s a worthwhile consideration, particularly if you don't understand satire.
“The Book of Mormon” walks a fine line as it concerns poking fun at an American minority. Even though it’s equal-opportunity satire, the musical does target the beliefs of a specific religious minority with a difficult American history that has been largely forgotten. The Mormons were in Missouri before finding Utah. Missouri is no sanctuary for anybody, but it was there that the Mormons confronted what turned out to be one of the darkest episodes of persecution in American history. That knowledge might make some feel as if the writers are punching down, even if what they’re actually doing is throwing punches at a number of targets.
The best art, however, will make you uncomfortable at times. Twain himself believed that satire should make the comfortable uneasy and the uneasy feel seen. “The Book of Mormon” does both of those things.
We're supposed to be having fun, no? Plus, I don’t think the Mormons give a damn. This thing is hysterical.
Oh, and something else to keep on your calendar: “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” is coming for a run in October and November.
More opportunity for satire. That’s the way Mark Twain woulda done it.
