The Book of Mormon

There's a lot to be said for the religious folks who go out and preach their own beliefs to unsuspecting families at home. Jehovah's Witness, Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons all go door to door in the hope that wherever they land, someone in those houses will be so enthralled with the prospect of joining a new religion that they will be "recruited" and their souls will be saved from the eternal fires of hell.

"The Book of Mormon" fresh from a successful run on Broadway, is the brainchild of "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. And if you've ever seen an episode of that show, you'll know nothing much is sacred. There's pretty much something to offend everyone, all races, sexual orientations, and celebrities have come under fire and this musical is no different. But here we have songs and dance numbers. Does it work? Absolutely.

Elder Price (David Larsen) just wants to go to Orlando to preach the word of the book. Elder Cunningham (Cody Jamison Strand) just wants to go anywhere, as long as it's with Elder Price. They're best friends in his mind, just not in Price's. When they are both selected to go to Uganda, Price is crestfallen. No Disney, no golf courses, no Florida. But they go, and latch onto the inhabitants of a small village. Nabulungi (Candace Quarrels) takes a shine to them both, especially Elder Cunningham.

The Mormon preachers have got to baptize as many people as they can, but the local chapter already in Uganda haven't had much luck, so Price and Cunningham devise a plan to recruit the locals. Cunningham gets several of them to listen to his gospel; trouble is, he's making most of it up. But the locals take the bait and join in, causing Price to fume; after all, he's a leader in his own mind. The first half of the show moves a bit slowly after a grand opening number "Hello" and introduces our principals. The second act is where the show truly shines.

Quarrels is bright and very funny in her role as the local native; she plays the naive girl with gusto and heart. Larsen's Price is amazingly funny; he also looks adorable as the earnest Mormon in the white shirt and tie. In a really funny turn, David Aron Damane is hysterical as the General who's oppressing the local villagers. Strand's Cunningham is an excellent portrayal, his nerdy vocalizations and expressions are priceless, his presence is the glue that holds it all together.

The choreography is quirky and fun, like the show itself. The sets are colorful and represent a number of locations, including hell, incidentally a really funny dance number in that scene. The ensemble cast are all grand in their various roles. There's a great deal of profanity here, as well as some rather disturbing imagery, so go for the laughs and music, but leave the small children at home.

"The Book of Mormon" runs through Nov. 22 at The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), 220 Weybosset Street Providence, RI 02903. For information or tickets, call 401-421-9227 or visit www.ppacri.org