"SATURDAY'S VOYEUR: RADIO SHOW," Salt Lake Acting Company, through Aug. 16, 801-363-7522; running time: 2 hours 20 minutes (one intermission)

Another year, another "Saturday's Voyeur" — Salt Lake Acting Company's annual roast of all things Utah.

Now in its 31st year, "Voyeur" has become a tradition for many folks who may need to "blow off some conservative steam," and who enjoy being able to bring food and drink into the theater.

Though the scavenging for food can be noisy and distracting, it certainly helps set the mood — this is a party, and everyone is there for a good time.

This year's script, written by Allen Nevins, with lyrics by Nevins, Brenda Cowley and Nancy Borgenicht, is loosely modeled after an old-time radio show. Directed by John Caywood, the show begins in the KIM1RU studios in Lehi; the show has sponsors and songs, but the radio concept is only a framework with a couple of through-stories.

As is often the case with "Voyeur," some of the sketches work and others don't, despite its very talented cast.

It's difficult for me to imagine conjuring up a completely new show year after year, but between you and me, if I never hear another green Jell-O joke in my life, it will be too soon. Again, I'm glad it's not me who has to create the piece, but some of the jokes feel tired.

A few returning characters continue to get a great response, most notably the gay missionaries, played perfectly by Alexis Baigue and Jacob Johnson, who sing and dance their way through the streets of Sugar House.

The "brewing storm," coupled with a nod to the Mormon missionary calendar, were some of the funnier moments of the show — more successful, perhaps, because the events happened this year … ditto the bit about needing an area code when dialing and the poor woman with the record-breaking fingernails.

The other continuing story didn't work quite as well.

The Freebe Bunch — The Freebes are a beleaguered and large family in Lehi whose family health-drink business has dried up.

Though the actors are a lively bunch, they all seem to have different accents, which doesn't make a lot of sense. When the emcee, Kent Harrison Hayes, announces we would be checking back in with the Freebes, I found myself dreading the noise, confusion and length. That said, there were some very funny moments with the Freebes, especially "Turdition" and "Dirty Little Secrets."

One thing that did not work for me was the portrayal of Helika Freebe (Dustin Bolt), who apparently is mentally challenged. "Voyeur" is supposed to poke a little fun at Utahisms … I'm not sure why it took this wrong turn.

What DID work were the Lolly Poppers, a lovely trio (Kelsie Jepsen, Shanna Jones, Arika Schockmel) singing beautiful harmonies, which were a funny juxtaposition with the lyrics; the jabs at the best-seller "Twilight"; and a look at what might happen if Jesus visited Lehi.

Though the songs were very clever, again, as in most previous years, they seem to not be in appropriate keys for the singers. Watching the actors strain for some top notes, I would have liked to have seen musical director/arranger Kevin Mathie bump the keys down a bit.

Longer than a parody should be, "Saturday's Voyeur" is still a fun night — if you're looking to blow off a little steam.

Sensitivity Rating: Strong language, sexual gestures and situations, missionary jokes.

E-mail: ehansen@desnews.com