“Molly and Peter” is an original play directed by Henry Ballestros with the Black Box Grant Association. The plays underlying message was one of love, but it was hard to focus on the message when the play made fun of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the majority of the time. There were a few good jokes that everyone could laugh at and then others that crossed the line.
The show was based on a family dynamic between Kenzie and his parents Molly and Peter. And the idea that we need to love and accept people for who they are, which is an inspiring message that everyone can appreciate.
From a young age Kenzie suffered from depression. Kenzie’s mother wasn’t supportive nor there for him in his time of need. Instead, she told him to get over it. Even when Kenzie told his mother that he wanted to commit suicide it didn’t make an impact on his mother. It instead just made for a toxic environment.
In the end, Molly, Peter and Kenzie created their new kind of “normal”. A normal where Peter was still was married to Molly, even though he was gay. And a normal where Kenzie gets along with his parents and his mother actually understands the trials he was going through.
But some people in the Latter Day Saint religion could find this play to be a mockery of their culture. Which is interesting because the play’s undertone theme is about love and acceptance.
The title, “Molly and Peter” is derived from the stereotype of a good LDS Christian known as a “Molly Mormon” and “Peter Priesthood”. Which the majority of people practicing the LDS faith can laugh at and enjoy.
And there some parts of the play were funny and comical about the church, including crock pot jokes and family recipe humor
Other parts of the play may be disturbing for certain viewers to watch. Peter (who you find out is gay) is having sex with another male and the male takes off Peters shirt and says, “you still wear your garments — that’s cute.”
In the LDS religion, garments are the most sacred article of clothing one can wear within the faith. Garments are only worn by people who have gone through the temple. For some church members, this humor or lack-thereof, can insult and disgrace the LDS culture
Or when there is this random musical number and Jesus starts making out with Mary Mageldin. At that point, you are not only mocking the LDS religion which a large majority of people in Utah affiliate with, but you are making fun of Christianity in general.
I think the play had good intentions, but it missed the mark.
Click here for more information on Black Box Theatre plays.
Story by
Cassidy Harmon
accent@suunews.com
Photo by
Mitch Quartz
photo@suunews.com
