Jesse Pepe plays the Lone Ranger, does a fierce Michael Jackson impersonation, portrays a Utah County husband involved in fraud, kisses both women and men, whips open his robe for actors and audiences, and sings and dances nearly nonstop for close to two hours at a pop.
The Ogden resident and Weber State University acting student has found a summer job that requires a wide range of talents. He's in the ensemble for "Saturday's Voyeur."
"It always keeps you on your toes," said Pepe, 20, the youngest ensemble member both this year and last. "You really grow as an actor."
The 2010 installment of "Saturday's Voyeur" officially opens tonight. The show, in its third decade, is updated annually as a comic commentary on local news headlines and culture, along with some notes on national news.
This year's script features references to Gov. Gary Herbert; Utah's famous first daughter-in-law, Carmen Rasmusen Herbert; Sen. Orrin Hatch's songwriting career; Tiger Woods' wandering eye; a same-sex kiss-in; the uproar over body-scanning airport security devices; Sarah Palin; Glenn Beck; local fraud cases; souvenir hunting in Southern Utah's ancient graves, and more.
"It's based on news reports and information (writers) Nancy Borgenicht and Allen Nevins have documented," Pepe said. "They compile reports over the year, and people think the show is absurd, but it's based on things that really happened."
Pepe said Utah politics provide plenty of material.
"I think Utah might be one of the funniest states," he said, with a smile. "I haven't lived anywhere else for a very long period of time, but Utah can be very imbalanced, as we all know. Sometimes things happen here that you really can't imagine happening anywhere else, which is something that makes this show work. It's worked for 32 years now. 'Saturday's Voyeur' is very successful because stuff like this continues to happen."
Besides providing lots of laughter, "Saturday's Voyeur" gets people interested in local politics and news, Pepe believes.
"It made me want to learn more about what was going on," he said. "After last year, I watched the papers to see what would be in the show this year."
Weber State graduates also in the 11-person cast are Shannon Musgrave and Justin Ivie. Actor Kent Harrison Hayes studied at WSU for a year.
From an actor's point of view, "Voyeur" has allowed Pepe to use his song and dance skills and to hone his comic timing. Since he plays so many characters, the show has helped him work on character differentiation. Then there's the physical and mental workout provided by a frenetic show performed six times a week for longer than a month.
"You leave this show feeling like you can do anything," said Pepe, with a laugh.
PREVIEW
l WHAT: 'Saturday's Voyeur'
l WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 5
l WHERE: Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North, Salt Lake City
l TICKETS: $39-$54. 801-363-7522. Has adult language and themes.
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