There is irreverent… and then there’s “The Book of Mormon.”

The cudgel this Tony-award winning wields batters some deeply held pretenses about religion, missionary work and Broadway musicals.

It’s also deeply, wonderfully hilarious in its keen ability to point out the more absurd conventions inherit in all those things.

“The Book of Mormon” is perfectly on-brand as a creation from the minds that brought us “South Park,” the crudely drawn and wildly popular animated series about wholly irreverent and foul-mouthed children.

I admit, I am the target audience creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone (who wrote the script, lyrics, and music for “The Book of Mormon” along with Robert Lopez) have make their fortunes from.

Awkward moments make me laugh. Comedy which creates discomfort for the audience makes me laugh. Poop jokes make me laugh. I like it when long-held conventions are challenged. I appreciate anyone who doesn’t take life too seriously.

And judging by the success of Parker and Stone’s comedy universe, and the reaction of the audience Tuesday at the Providence Performing Arts Center, I’m definitely not alone.

While I delighted in “The Book of Mormon” many scenes skewering things many people hold holy (literally and figuratively), it’s also a wonderfully staged piece of musical theatre. You root for the characters. The performers get plenty of opportunities to belt out memorable songs (many of which aren’t publishable in a family newspaper), and there are some warm-and-fuzzies throughout.

Fans of “South Park” won’t be surprised that the acerbic, witty take-down drapes a lesson of sorts, encouraging audiences to push past dogma and convention and focus and being nice to one another.

 "The Book of Mormon" is on stage at the PPAC through Sunday. Visit www.ppacri.org for tickets and more information.