NEW YORK – It’s sprinkled with jokes about Mormons discriminating against black people and repressed gay longings, but the creators of a new musical about Mormons say it won’t attract the sort of religious controversy they are famous for. One of the most anticipated musicals this Broadway season, “The Book of Mormon,” satirizes the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sexualizes the ritual of baptism and has plenty of politically incorrect jokes.
But “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone say they have also created a heartwarming story of two young present day Mormon missionaries sent to Uganda who grapple with the relevance of their beliefs for Africans dealing with AIDS and the character of brutal warlord General Butt Naked. While the musical may not get the pair the sort of death threats, show cancellations and religious controversy their animated hit TV show “South Park” has invited over the years, Parker and Stone say the lighter musical fare is still far from PG-rated and no jokes were deemed too much for Broadway.
“If you can’t watch an average episode of “South Park” with your kids, you probably shouldn’t bring them to the musical. But it’s by far not the rawest or filthiest thing we’ve ever done. We could do much more,” said Stone.
