While it takes a while to get rolling, the 2010 version tends a whole lot more towards the latter. Partly, that’s due to the wisdom of not trying to force the production into the framework of a plot, as has sometimes been the case. Longtime writers Allen Nevins and Nancy Borgenicht opted instead for a series of blackout sketches based on news items from the last year, so we get shots at—among other topics—the Main Street “plaza kiss” controversy, Rep. Jason Chaffetz’s opposition to airport body scans, Sarah Palin’s Costco visit and the 2010 legislative session.
The first act tries to hit a lot of targets, and hits them sporadically. But the second act finds talented cast members getting the time to sink their teeth into juicy parts: Steven Fehr as a sneeringly judgmental Gayle “Uzicka”; Victoria Elena Nones as Sarah Palin (pictured, center) reading crib notes from her palm; Jeanette Puhich as the power-hunger wife of the new governor. The entire 12-member ensemble throws so much energy into Saturday’s Voyeur that the production’s charms become hard to resist.
Nevins and Borgenicht do have their quirks as creators—the arbitrary switching back and forth between referring to Utah’s governor as “Herbert” and “Sherbert” is a weird choice—but they know what pushes their audience’s buttons. And this year, most of those buttons are connected directly to the funny bone.
Saturday’s Voyeur 2010 @ Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North, 801- 363-7522, through Sept. 5, $44-$54. SaltLakeActingCompany.org
Speaking of The Essentials
-
Brandon Mull: Beyonders
Thursday April 14 @ The King’s English Bookshop
- Apr 14, 2011
-
The Perfect Fit
Through April 3 @ Kimball Art Center
- Mar 31, 2011
-
Utah St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
On Saturday, March 12, the Hibernian Society of Utah's traditional Salt Lake City downtown St. Patrick's Day parade winds through the Gateway from 400 West and 200 North beginning at 10 a.m. ...
- Mar 11, 2011
- More »
More by Scott Renshaw
-
Feature film review: HERETIC
Psychological thriller finds its terror not in theology, but in a dude convinced he knows it all.
- Nov 6, 2024
-
Film Reviews: New Releases for Nov. 1
Anora, Here, Music By John Williams, Emilia Pérez, Absolution and more
- Oct 31, 2024
-
HERE film review and November special screenings
Made-in-Utah Westerns, Big Lebowski Festival, Filméxico Festival and more
- Oct 30, 2024
- More »
Latest in Entertainment Picks
Readers also liked…
-
THE ESSENTIAL A&E PICKS FOR MAR 14 - 20
St. Patrick's Day, Bored Teachers Comedy Tour, Downy Doxey-Marshall: Bloom and Laura Sharp Wilson: Gilding the Lily: A Choreography , and more.
- Mar 13, 2024
