Tony Awards like Mormon spoof

The irreverent and hilarious "The Book of Mormon" musical dominated the 65th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, winning the award for Best Musical and Best Featured Actress in a Musical, becoming one of the most honored productions in Broadway history.

Broadway neophytes Trey Parker and Matt Stone thanked their "South Park" fans and the audiences who are packing the show. "You guys made this show what it is," Parker said. "And therefore, you're going to have to atone for it one day."

He went on to jokingly thank the "co-writer who passed away. Mr. Joseph Smith , the founder of the Mormon religion. He couldn't be here tonight, but -- you did it, Joseph! You got the Tony!"

The ceremony served as a buildup to the foregone conclusion that the boisterous, profane and, surprisingly sweet production would win the big award.

"The Book of Mormon" was written by "South Park" co-creators Parker and Stone and Robert Lopez , co-creator of "Avenue Q."

Many people's initial encounter with Mormons is a pair of clean-cut missionaries who go door to door to spread the church's doctrine. Parker and Stone's play opens the same way, with 10 handsome men in characteristic white shirts and ties and black name badges ringing imaginary doorbells and declaring, "I would like to share with you my book of Jesus Christ ."

As the eager missionaries pair off for their two-year assignments in Norway or France, one couple is sent to Uganda.

Although the boys are sure that "the Book of Mormon will do those Africans a lot of good," the village they visit is terrorized by a paramilitary militia that is practicing female circumcision. The show satirizes the LDS church 's prohibition against homosexuality by having half a dozen male missionaries sing about how they "turn off" uncomfortable feelings.

In an interview in March, Stone talked about how he and Parker became interested in Mormonism.

"We both knew Mormons growing up in the Denver area. It's not Salt Lake City, but there's a lot of seepage into Colorado of Mormon people and culture. We found the whole story fascinating. There's just not another thing like that in America, where a whole state or region was settled by this group of people with their own religion.

“Book of Mormon” Musical Wins 9 Tonys

The profane and irreverent “Book of Mormon” musical took home nine Tony awards last night. The musical, which caused a great deal of controversy among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, received positive reviews from critics and viewers alike. Directors Trey Parker and Matt Stone, well-known for their roles as the creators of South Park, say they’re happy with the results.  While the church and its members have long been spoofed or vilified in movies, on television and in stage plays (including some on Broadway), as well as books, magazines, comics and every other entertainment/art form you can name, it’s rare that the subject is officially addressed.But the church did release a brief statement Feb. 7 that specifically addresses the play, then refers readers to a March 2009 statement regarding “Big Love,” when that HBO TV series was preparing to air an episode that took viewers inside an LDS temple.It reads, in part: “(The church) does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences.” Instead, church members are urged to “conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness.”  In other words, take the high road.

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