If you had said, circa-2011, that a musical by the creators of
South Park that focused on Mormonism would go on to become one of the most critically acclaimed plays of all time, you may have gotten some serious side-eye. After all, this is the religion that discourages addictive substances such as alcohol and coffee. Yet years later, Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s
The Book of Mormon (with music by
Avenue Q’s Robert Lopez) has won countless awards and enjoyed tremendous success.
Yes, lyrics to certain songs include gems like “Fuck you, God,” but if there’s one thing watching
South Park has taught us, it’s that if we can’t look at the world with our tongues planted firmly in one cheek, you should stay away from the work of Parker and Stone. As is their way, the duo use sharp, hilarious satire to touch on some of the bigger issues in life.
SF Weekly caught up with Billy Harrigan Tighe, who stars in as the earnest missionary-to-be, Elder Kevin Price of the touring cast of
The Book of Mormon, which comes to San Francisco’s SHN Orpheum Theater on April 15. Tighe talks with us about his Boy Scout background, audience reactions, and his take on the satirical subject matter.
