"Book of Mormon" is not a musical for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It’s not your run of the mill "Wizard of Oz," somewhere over the rainbow musical. It’s a scathing satire about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It’s not for children, the elderly, anyone with heart issues, the deeply religious, or anyone with particularly fond memories of' "The Lion King." Co-written by the creators of "South Park" and "Avenue Q," The "Book of Mormon" is vulgar, wildly inappropriate, blasphemous and quite possibly one of the most hilarious musicals on Broadway. It left this musical theatre geek very amused and with the desire to bathe in holy water.

Cheesy and happy go lucky on the outside and scathing on the inside the "Book of Mormon" is a big Mormon minstrel show, intentionally so. Riddled with profanity, nods to famous musicals, a few notable sociopaths, praise for the clitoris and sarcasm, "Book of Mormon" tells the story of a young, naïve, sheltered and self-centered Mormon missionary and his clueless sidekick (that could probably benefit from some medication) who are sent to Uganda to share their faith. The musical light-heartedly pokes fun at the All-American, squeaky-clean way the church presents itself but doesn’t shy away from the tough issues. It examines the doubt that can sometimes goes along with faith. Although briefly in an upbeat song and dance number involving sparkly pink vests and tap dancing it acknowledges the Church of Latter Day Saints’ stance on homosexuality and the problems with repression and shame that can go along with it.

It also sheds light on, in a way that audience can laugh at without feeling guilty, the atrocities that Ugandans face. The well-intentioned missionaries have a great deal of trouble convincing the jaded villagers who are dealing with feminine, a war lord with a name that probably can’t be printed in a school newspaper, AIDS, poverty and genital mutilation that their religion will improve their lives in any way. There are in my opinion a few moments that are crude and there for shock value, but hey it’s written by the creators of "South Park" so that’s to be expected. Fortunately, those moments manage not to ruin the play. There isn’t exactly a neat and tidy ending, but "Book of Mormon" is worth seeing. It’s educational, both fun and horrifying to watch, and has an incredibly talented cast. On top of all that the songs are incredibly catchy.

Throughout the story there is a steady balance of cynicism and optimism. By incorporating many true aspects of Mormonism in an admittedly mocking fashion, Book of Mormon can be seen as a pretty harsh critique of the religion. Of religion and faith period. In spite of all that, many Mormons love it, going so far as to advertise the actual “Book of Mormon" in the program. Through high energy songs with theme park like cheorography the "Book Mormon" sheds light on the fact that when carefully examined there are aspects of religious doctrines that can seem downright absurd. In spite of it all though as the song says, Mormons (and others who are devote) just believe. Seeing "Book of Mormon" is an experience that you will not forget (even if you desperately want to).