For more than 30 years, Salt Lake Acting Company has entertained audiences with satires focused on Utah politics and culture. This year, the troupe has come up with a brand-new "Saturday's Voyeur" that promises not to disappoint.
"Mormons are hot," said director Cynthia Fleming -- as in, Mormons are all the rage when it comes to the national news right now.
The term "Mormon moment" has become a catchphrase all over the country, as presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has made his way to the spotlight -- and "The Book of Mormon" attracted attention on Broadway.
It seems that the whole country is talking about the LDS religion these days, and following suit, "Saturday's Voyeur" is more about the LDS Church this year than in the past.
The play, which premieres at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, begins in the setting of the church office building in Salt Lake City in 2009, on the eve of President Obama's inauguration. It is a dark day, as employees worry about what the future holds for our country.
Through time travel, characters bounce back and forth between that time and the present, showing the contrast with recent events that launched an LDS political hopeful into the running for president.
Characters in the play include a member of the LDS Church who is gay but still in the closet and other church members who are Democrats. They explore their conflicted feelings and try to answer the question, "How can we still be a Mormon and be gay or Democrat?" said Fleming, who has been involved with "Saturday's Voyeur" since 1996.
New faces
Two Weber State University theater students, Trevor Dean of Willard and Trent Cox of Ogden, are appearing in the show in their debut performances with Salt Lake Acting Company.
Dean plays the part of Bud the narrator, whom he describes as a person who follows instructions without question. His girlfriend is a Democrat, which brings a new perspective into his life. Some of Bud's naiveté begins to dissolve as the story unfolds.
Dean said he has been involved in theater since his mom introduced him to the stage at the age of 7. He and his three siblings appeared in plays together while he was growing up.
One thing he especially enjoys about his current role is quickly changing from the 2009 Bud to the 2012 Bud, and back again, due to the time-travel aspect.
Trent Cox is playing the part of Mitt Romney, as well as Brother Fey, a repressed homosexual trying to figure out where he fits into his world.
Cox has spent time researching Romney and his mannerisms so that he can portray him in a recognizable but satirical way.
"It has been a wonderful process and great learning experience," he said.
"People are really going to care about these characters and enjoy the show."
Satire as compliment
Austin Archer, another Weber State University theater student, is in his third season with "Saturday's Voyeur."
He enjoys "Voyeur" because, "You never know what is going to happen." The plays are always so up to date on current events that things evolve during rehearsals.
Archer is playing the role of Nephi Jensen, a worker in the church office building who is an outspoken Democrat.
"You wouldn't expect a guy named Nephi to be the most liberal person in the church office building," Archer said. "He loves his religion, but it's almost like he enjoys being the voice of dissent. I think he thinks that it is his calling to add more color and a different perspective."
Archer said this year's production has a more structured storyline than in the past, in addition to the heavier focus on the LDS Church.
"It is a big thing for the religion and the state of Utah as the headquarters for the LDS Church," he said of the media exposure.
Archer said the issues "Voyeur" has been addressing for more than 30 years are now being discussed on a national level.
"The humor used to be inside jokes that you only got if you lived in Utah," he said. Now, that is not as much the case.
Archer firmly believes that all of the jokes are in good humor.
"Being satirized is part of being recognized nationally. When an institution is there to stay, it becomes bulletproof. We can make fun of it without destroying its reputation," he said.