A Utah Theater Review by Joel Applegate
If you like your Utah theater satire sharp, be prepared. This satiric musical is the annual fund-raiser of Salt Lake Acting Company’s season, taking aim every summer at Utah’s peculiarities from its local accents to its legislators. But SLAC’s 2012 edition of Saturday’s Voyeur skewers the dominant culture like never before. And in this “Mormon moment,” everything Utah comes in for its fair share of ribbing, Mitt Romney’s tithing included.
Set in the LDS Church’s monolithic office building, the plot is led by Justin Ivie’s masterful rendering of the taser-packing Elder Marriott, gluing the cast and the story together. His role as the enforcer (“get back to your cubicles!”) provides the through line to a pair of Mormon couples daring to find office romance as they challenge their church’s positions on infallibility, sexuality, gay marriage and the uniqueness of their own doctrine.
In this years’ show, the seasoned cast is uniformly strong. I wish I had space to to mention everybody. In addition to Mr. Ivie’s great voice, there are hilarious standouts, including Austin Archer as Nephi Jensen, whose manic dancing was a hit with the crowd, performing with such assurance it approached a master class on how to be an uber-nerd. All the voices were strong, earnest and on-pitch. Trevor Dean as Moroni (“Bud”) Rasmussen, is paired with his love-interest, Kelsie Jepsen, ably cast as “Mormella” to stand up to church authority. Archer woos Kalyn West, whose clear voice shines as MoHanna. Dean is affecting as a sweet, sincerely questioning lover with a great tenor voice. West Side Story’s aria, “Maria,” becomes “MoHanna and Mormella”, lustily sung by Archer and Dean.
Special mention should be made of Steven Fehr, who courageously pulls out all the stops by playing three roles: Elder Spencer who covertly encourages subversion; a deliciously ironic gold statue of the Angel Moroni; and a wicked take on Gayle Ruzicka (“Too Foxy for my Clothes”) who manifests super powers as Utah’s well-known self-appointed lobbyist.
The set is utilitarian with a thrust going out to the audience giving the many performers plenty of room to strut. Live musicians are cleverly masked by flats that are mobile and transparent when needed for some of the scenes. Costumes are business attire mostly, in keeping with the story-line, except for a few well placed sight gags like “Godzicka’s” frightenly orange pant suit, a gold mylar wig for Angel Moroni, an Indian headdress and a fat suit or two. Oh, and an expertly worn bikini. Can’t give up any more than that.
The cast is clearly having a blast. The music is great, flowing from one fast-paced scene into another, bursting into dance and song, and featuring 26 (count ’em, 26!) musical numbers. I can appreciate that this show is hard work but the energy never flags or fails. Even the choreography by director, Cynthia Fleming provides many sly, visual gags. No slackers here.
Sharp and fact-based as satire is meant to be, the writers of this original show, Allen Nevins, Nancy Borgenicht, Kevin Mathie, and M. Spaff Sumsion hone in on their targets. As she has for previous Voyeurs, Borgenicht crafted new lyrics to catchy old pop tunes, as well as Broadway and familiar standards. We’re treated to “Surfer Girl” morphing into “Proxy Girl,” in a send-up of the LDS practice of posthumous baptisms, and hilarious re-writes of Broadway songs from shows including last year’s Tony winner, The Book of Mormon. A riff on Cabaret is included, turning “Money Song” into Mitt’s ode to tithing trickling into his campaign (“take a glide in my bride’s Escalade”). One cannot help but admire the massive amount of work that had to go into all these clever re-writes.
I regard this show as an important release valve for the frustrations both liberal Mormons (so few, so misunderstood!) and non-Mormon sons and daughters of Utah experience on a day to day basis. The packed audience cheered, laughed and clapped throughout this three-hour production that left us wanting more.
I had the good fortune of speaking with a cast member after the show, Emily Starr. She plays one of three Skittle Sisters (a Greek chorus of sorts) and she says she is still a church-going Mormon. We spoke about how fun the show was, and she even confessed she’s a Democrat. So I know believers, too, will have a great time watching, if they’re just a little willing to take a step back and appreciate the humor from outside their normal perspective.
The great thing about this show is that in the midst of some very pointed satire, the writing never gets shrill, but instead finds a balance of great humor and fun without pulling any punches. Please be aware that this is satire for adults, and intended for mature audiences. Adventurous theater-goers won’t want to miss this one!
The venue is a converted LDS chapel from the turn of the 19th Century, and is nice and clean with sparkling restrooms. However, it not equipped for wheelchairs, although a stair lift has been installed. Assistance will be provided if you call ahead. There’s a great greenroom for early patrons, with an art show usually displayed on the lower level below the main stage. There’s plenty of ample parking at Washington Elementary School directly across from the theater on 200 West and 500 North.
Salt Lake Acting Company Saturday’s Voyeur 168 West 500 North, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103
Performances are through Sept 9, 2012 with curtain at 7:30 PM, Wednesday through Saturday, and Sunday at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Three acts, two intermissions. The audience is encouraged bring your own food and drink and “picnic” while you watch the show. Tables are set up around the stage, in addition to regular tiered seating.
$45 for regular seating; $50 each for tables of 4 next to the stage; $55 each for tables of 2 in the Skybox area above tiered seating.
Box Office 801.363.7522 http://www.saltlakeactingcompany.org/
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