'Voyeur,' 'Beast' open this week

As the weather warms up, the kids are out of school, construction begins, and so does The Salt Lake Acting Company's "Saturday's Voyeur."

Now in its 31st year, "Voyeur" has become its own institution.

"This year, I chose to look backward," writer Allen Nevins said. "We've had the worst crisis since the Great Depression, and that's what was on everybody's minds. When faced with that, what's really 'funny' anymore?"

So, Nevins opted for a radio show. "Not a real radio show, just a shadow of a radio show," he said in a press release. "A nod to those tumultuous days of the 'Big' depression when we really did hit the floor, but somehow made it through; and my message is this year is that we will make it through this as well."

As usual with "Voyeur," nothing is off limits.

The "Saturday's Voyeur: Radio Show" cast features Alexis Baigue, Dustin Bolt, Steven Fehr, Kelsie Jepsen, Jacob Johnson, Shanna Jones, Kent Harrison Hayes, Shannon Musgrave, Jesse Pepe, Arika Schockmel and Alicia Washington.

The show opens June 3 and runs through Aug. 16 at Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North. Times vary, matinees are available. Tickets are $39-$54 (801-363-7522 or www.saltlakeactingcompany.org).

Here are the rest of this week's openings:

"Beauty and the Beast," June 5-20, SCERA Shell, 699 S. State, Orem.

The magical Disney musical comes to life in the Tony Award-winning stage adaptation. This tale as old as time is family theater at its best. The show stars Emily Smith, Adam Meyers, Matt Dobson, Jim Murphy, Laurel Barham and Zach Knowlton.

Shows are Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. Tickets are $8-$4 (801-225-2787 or www.scera.org)

Special "Be Our Guest With Belle & Friends," princess parties are planned for each Saturday of the run (June 6, 13, 20) from 11 a.m.-noon, at the Shell.

For girls ages 3-10, the party will include a light lunch, games, activities, prizes, crafts and a chance to meet and take pictures with costumed characters. (Please bring your own camera). The party is $12; young guests must come with an adult, and reservations must be made (801-225-2787)

"The Importance of Being Earnest," StageRight TheaterCompany, June 5-13, The Village Green, 395 S. State, Clearfield.