Book of Mormon – AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, TX

Show 52 of 2016

Writing about a show that you've already seen and that won a Tony five and a half years ago is kind of tricky, but here goes...

I saw Book of Mormon for the first time two years ago. I don't know that I have ever laughed so hard at a show (except maybe Spamilton). The second time around also didn't disappoint.

I warned the friends I went with of how bad the show is and that if you're Catholic you should plan to go to confession when it's over. Still true. But man, oh man, is it funny. I mean what can you expect from the creators of South Park?

I do find it absolutely fantastic that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints takes out a full page ad in the playbills. A friend of mine had told me that before I went and I figured it was just the Broadway playbill, but there was an ad in the one in Dallas too. I kind of love that they just rolled with it and used it as an opportunity. I really wish more groups who get poked fun at on the stage would follow their example.

This show is NOT suited for younger audiences or those who are easily offended by language and foul content. Long story short about the plot: two Mormon men go on their mission to Uganda to convert the Africans to the LDS church. Through several mishaps and quite a few lies and exaggerations the convert a whole village! Well, maybe not to the mainstream LDS faith, but to something!

Aside from the ridiculously inappropriate content this is a fantastic show. It is so funny even when it's making you squirm in your seat a little. One thing I forgot from the original production is that there is tap dancing! The way they bring the taps out is a FANTASTIC trick with the lights and it made my heart oh so happy. Granted tap dancing makes my heart happy and groups of boys dancing in sync makes my heart happy so it was kind of a win win there.

Overall I think this is a fantastic show. The year it won the Tony (2011) was the ceremony where I decided I needed to figure out a way to be in New York more to see more shows. I love when that day comes up BOM won (Once, Kinky Boots, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Fun Home, and Hamilton) and realize how different they each are and how they are changing the face of Broadway and I just really, really love that.

If you get the chance, go see Book of Mormon, just beware that it is raunchy and crude and hilarious.

For More Information:
Production: The Book of Mormon
Venue: AT&T Performing Arts Center
City: Dallas, TX

Let's start at the very beginning...

a selection of 2016...

...a very good place to start.

2016 has been my best year yet. On the public side it kind of sucked for most of us, but my private life was absolutely incredible this year.

It all started when I became obsessed with a fairly unknown little musical called Hamilton. Sometime around March I decided I needed some New York time, as it had been over three years since my previous trip, and I just KNEW if I went to New York I would win the lottery and get to see the show.

I didn't.

I cried.

In Bryant Park.

I walked by the Richard Rodgers Theatre on my way to the Cort to see Bright Star (my third Broadway show in as many days). I don't know if I thought someone would randomly give me their ticket or what.

However, that May trip to New York for four days made me think outside the box where travel is concerned. I devised a plan where I could go regularly for very little money.

Friends, I love New York. I've never lived there. I can count the number of times I've been (I look forward to the day when it becomes so blurred I can't). It feels so much like home, which is weird and I'll admit that. Just being in the city calms and centers me. It is possible that the four trips I've taken in the last seven months have to do with my calm, cool, centered demeanor.

So I get home from NOT seeing Hamilton and devise a plan to go back. To spend the money and see the original cast. It was expensive. It was a quick trip. And it was worth every, single penny. More on that later...

This summer I stage managed Mary Poppins at my home theatre, which was one of the best experiences of my life. I met people who will be part of my life forever. I was encouraged by their love and passion for their art. I drank more and slept less than I have in a long time and it was totally worth it.

I have always loved going to shows. The first show I ever saw was Annie when I was six and we went twice. I've been a member of my home theatre for 22 years. I go to shows. It's just what I do.

After Mary Poppins I went to a neighboring town to watch a friend in South Pacific and on the way home started to count how many shows I had already been to, having told people I average about 20 a year. South Pacific was number 19 and I knew I was about to book a trip to see a lot of shows in New York in November and already had airfare to New York for the following week for a short trip. So I made a goal to see forty shows in 2016. I thought this was a reasonable goal I could meet. I told myself I would go for 52 in 2017 which would average to one show per week.

I made myself promise that I would not go see shows JUST to add to the list. That wasn't the point of this. One of three criteria had to be present for me to see a show:

*a show I genuinely want to see
*a show a friend is part of
*a show from a company I support annually

As it turned out this gave me license to see ALL the shows and I finished 2016 with 52 shows. It has been fun. I have been to shows on all the trips I've been on and I've made it a priority to see shows that my friends are involved in.

If you click here you can find THE List: 2016. I have linked all the shows, companies and venues for you to check out. My goal going forward is write a blurb about every show I see and to fill in all the 2016 shows as well.

I hope to inspire others to get out and see live theatre as well as to jump out of their comfort zone and live their lives to the fullest. When I started living MY life and doing the things I cared about instead of what people expected of me then magic started to happen. You might not be a theatre person, but maybe you could make a goal to see a baseball game at every MLB stadium or go to a concert once a month. I realize a show a week (or more) is pretty insane. I am lucky to be at a place in my life where this is possible. I encourage everyone to find something that they are passionate about and pursue it.

PS go read the about me section if you haven't already!