Salt Lake Acting Company’s Saturday’s Voyeur might be considered the “airing of the grievances” by the Gentile (non-member) citizens of the Beehive State.
Set in the church office building (COB) in downtown SLC, this year’s installment of Saturday’s Voyeur, running through August 31, tackles issues familiar to those in the city of salt. LGBT rights and marriage, racism, church-run politics, liquor laws, female modesty and the unimportance of Gentiles are all open for satire in this annual recap of Utah’s particular brand of craziness.
I’ve been a regular attendee at Saturday’s Voyeur for nearly two decades. The show never disappoints although, as it’s a political satire, some year’s story lines are better than others. This year had me crying with laughter. Voyeur creators Allen Nevins and Nancy Borgenicht had much to work with thanks to the banner idiots in our state providing more fodder than even.
The cast consists of many regular performers—such as Alexis Baigue who dances and sings in his 14th season as Fletch—but also features a few fresh faces gracing the stage like opera singer Olivia Custodio, playing the Sister Marriott character.
A large part of Voyeur’s charms are the musical numbers with original lyrics set to well-known tunes. Some favorites from this year’s show include “Boobs and Bombs” about Miss Riverton, the beauty queen who builds bombs from homemade chemicals and throws them around the neighborhood sung by Kendra (played by Leah Hassett) and “Hoodoo Gunna Fall” based on the Boy Scout leaders who toppled the hoodoos in Goblin Valley State Park and filmed it. Other catchy tunes such as “Tiptoe ‘Round The Temple” and “What Does Fox Say” might hint at the laughs that lie within each performance.
The regularly appearing God-Zicka character (Jenessa Bowen) makes a return again this time in relationship to former Attorney General John Swallow. She enters the musical with the song “Whip It” that is then followed by the scene Swallow, featuring the song “Swallow Hard.” Yes, it is that kind of musical!
Having seen the production prior to the recent arrest of Swallow and Shurtleff, you can bet the brilliant creative team will have updated these scenes with a few comments or song changes to reflect current events. That’s just one of the things I love about this show so much. Throughout the summer it’s often updated and refreshed with new and unbelievable activities happening in our fine state.
As a final nod to our most unusual culture, green Jell-O shots are served during the second intermission.
Tickets range from $40-$55 and can be purchased by calling 801-363-7522 or online at saltlakeactingcompany.org.
Shows run through Aug. 31; Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1 and 6 p.m.
Update: the show has been extended through Sept. 14. Tickets still available.
Salt Lake Acting Company
168 W. 500 North, Salt Lake City, Utah