'Book of Mormon' wins big at the Tony Awards

Yahoo - AP ^ | 06/12/11 | MARK KENNEDY

[Borges]

The profane and hysterical "The Book of Mormon" took home nine Tony Awards on Sunday including the prize for best musical, a considerable achievement for a pair of first-time Broadway playwrights known more for their raunchy cartoons featuring potty-mouthed kids.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of the Emmy Award-winning "South Park," found a kindred soul in Robert Lopez, who co-wrote the Tony-winning "Avenue Q," and all three found themselves with plenty of awards when they collaborated to gently mock Mormons and send-up Broadway itself.

Collecting the best musical prize, a subdued Parker, who tied Josh Logan of "South Pacific" with four Tonys in one evening — said he'd be remiss if he didn't thank his late book co-writer — Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion.

"You did it, Joseph! You got the Tony!" Parker said looking skyward and holding up his award.

[Yaelle]

I’m offended that a play mocking a religion is so popular. It might not be your religion this time.

[weston]

The opening song was “Broadway’s Not Just for Gays Anymore”. Then they started handing out awards and they all went to gays or actors in plays about gays or HIV/Aids etc. LOL!

[ansel12]

Here is another thread running right now, about them working on the Christian religion.

Sarah Palin's Emails on Christian Faith Draw Media's Fire

[Abin Sur]

Christian churches of different denominations are all pretty much the same in having reached the same conclusion about the Mormon religion, it is a different religion than Christianity.

I agree...it's different.

So what?

If Mormons as a whole want to help reduce the power of the State, they're my allies. Whether or not they believe (just for example) in the Trinity doesn't matter in the slightest, any more than it matters that Christians do believe in it.

[restornu]

Yep to many Mormons are a pretty bad lot just dreadful folks!

LDS Prophets warn us of the dangers facing America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehD390q9G3k

Come To Zion While Babylon Falls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R9x_um9Cak

[Persevero]

I think the salient point is, Broadway etc. perceived Mormonism to be a Christian thing and it’s cool to mock anything perceived as Christian in America right now.

There will not be a “Book of Muslim” coming out anytime soon. They are terrified of Muslims. They know Mormons, and Catholics, and Protestants, and Jews, and the Amish, etc., will not blow up their buildings or slice their throats. So they can mock any of us with impunity, and they will.

[ansel12]

You can promote Islam and Mormonism as much as you want, but I won't be joining you.

[paythefiddler]

they are with us on most issues-

I met alot of them in Alberta, ca
they are kind,descent, hard working, family people
who treat each other with respect

more so than I can say about alot of others

[Borges]

Parker and Stone HAVE made fun of Islam on South Park.

[netmilsmom]

FReepers who are cheered by this are clueless.

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me. “

[Borges]

Do you ever watch South Park?

[Abin Sur]

You can promote Islam and Mormonism as much as you want, but I won't be joining you.

Given that I'm an atheist, that's rather funny...

[netmilsmom]

>>Do you ever watch South Park?<<

Yep, sure have. I even laugh at it. But if you think that the Broadway people gave this an award because of the edgy “equal opportunity” slammers that the creators are, you are living in la-la land.

Had Trey Parker and Matt Stone tried to produce their Mohammed show on Broadway, would it have gotten off the ground, let alone won a Tony?

Most people have no clue about Mormon views on the Trinity or their history. They see Mormons as another Christian denomination. Especially the people who hate the Mormons for Prop 8 in CA.

[Borges]

Oh the view of Mormonism from outside Christian circles is not based on theological differences but philosophical and cultural ones for sure. But this show is supposed to be pretty funny. PArker and Stone are among the few who don’t have any sacred cows at all. They’ve made fun of scientology as well.

[netmilsmom]

You can’t see the forest for the trees.

The Mohamed show was hilarious and ripe for a Broadway show. Is it there?

The Scientology show was too. Is it there?

Your liberal views taint your viewpoint.

[Abin Sur]

Most people have no clue about Mormon views on the Trinity or their history.

While this is almost certainly true, wouldn't most people's reaction to being informed about the Mormon view of the Trinity be indifference?

[netmilsmom]

>>While this is almost certainly true, wouldn’t most people’s reaction to being informed about the Mormon view of the Trinity be indifference? <<

If they are not “Slash and Burn” evangelists.

[Abin Sur]

If they are not “Slash and Burn” evangelists.

Perhaps I just haven't fully woken up yet, but I don't understand this phrase in context.

[Utah Binger]

Last night on local Utah news, they announced proudly that the piece had won all these awards. I guess any news is good news for Mormonism. For me it would be an embarrassment to be linked to such profanity.

I wouldn’t walk across the street to see this piece, let alone fly to NYC and pay the outlandish prices for the tickets.

I can laugh at Mormons every day should I choose to do so. Some of my neighbors are good and normal people; a few are sanctimonious idiots that I avoid.

I think it is a bit humorous to see Joseph Smith get presented as a sort of big joke. That is good.

[Borges]

LOL! Liberal views? That’s a good one. Anyway I would imagine they would have trouble getting financing the shows you mentioned for reasons we both know.