SATURDAY’S VOYEUR is back at SLAC for it’s 37th year. Director, choreographer and Executive Producer, Cynthia Fleming is no stranger to the intimidating task of staging an original musical, every year, for the community. This is her fourth year directing the production and her 15th year choreographing. Fleming discusses the unique beast that is VOYEUR, why it’s such a mainstay in the Utah theatre community, and what the future holds in store for Salt Lake Acting Company (SLAC).
What first got you interested in the theatre?
Fleming: Well, to begin the story of how I came to love theatre begins with my mom putting me in ballet class when I was 7 because I was pigeon toed. It was very rigorous and strict training, but I loved it and worked really hard. My ballet teacher when I was twelve told me that because I was so tall I would never be the star but only a featured artist. I had no idea how fun a featured artist is. Because of this I started to look at the different directions dance could take me. So my mom enrolled me in the University of Utah summer dance program where they offered all types dance. This is where I learned jazz dance from Rowland Butler, and it fueled my love for musical theatre. During this summer I saw the movie “Sweet Charity” with Shirley McClain, and when I finished the movie I said to myself, “That is what I want to do.” After that moment I worked really hard and was very lucky to have the opportunities I did that led me towards a very successful acting career.
You’ve had a long career in theater, what brought you back to SLAC?
Fleming: The reason why I came back to SLAC is because I came back to Salt Lake. When A Chorus Line closed on Broadway, I knew that I wanted to have another baby, so I didn’t get another acting job on purpose and was working at Bloomingdales as a make-up artist. And after Nick was born both my husband and I were working and taking care of our family, and I said we could do this in Utah and I could be close to my family again. However when we moved to Salt Lake I had no idea what I was going to do: at this point in my life all I had only been was a performer. A friend of mine, Richard Jewkes saw that I was back in Utah and called and asked if I would choreograph a show he was directing at The Egyptian Theatre. I had never choreographed before, but I thought, “Why not? It sounds like fun!” Then Richard was going to be directing at Salt Lake Acting Company and asked if I would come and choreograph his show. Well, I ended up also being the assistant director because he needed to be in the show. Working on this play was how I first met Al and Nancy [Borgenicht] and they asked me if I would choreograph SATURDAY’S VOYEUR. Within the next couple of years I was working behind the scenes obtaining and retaining subscribers and then… Well, the rest is history.
What do you look for in a play that you wish to direct or produce?
Fleming: When I say yes to directing a play, it has to resonate and touch me in such a way that I can’t stop thinking about it. When I am looking for plays to produce for our audience, first and foremost we look for the best play. Second, it has to be a play that is intelligent, thoughtful, bold like our audience but also allows our audience to be stretched. We also have wonderful relationships with playwrights so we are constantly asking them, “What are you writing? How can we help you through this process?” And through asking these questions and working with the playwrights many of their works get produced and performed on our stages.
SATURDAY’S VOYEUR is a long running tradition in Salt Lake, what would you tell someone who is a new-comer to the show?
Fleming: When I’m hosting a performance of SATURDAY’S VOYEUR, many times subscribers introduce me to their friends that have never seen VOYEUR and I say “Ooooooooh you’re a Voyeur virgin.” I tell them that they will have a theatrical experience that they have never had before. With theatre, as with a lot of art, it is hard to describe an experience like this. I find that it is always better to lovingly tell the patron “Well, fasten your seat belts. You’re in for a ride.”
What makes SATURDAY’S VOYEUR so special?
Fleming: SATURDAY’S VOYEUR is so special because it is a play written about our community for our community. We are the only theatre company in the nation that has been producing a new play every year for 37 years that is specific to the community we are in. Because of this, our audience has ownership of this play. And many times this is the only play many of our audience members have ever seen because it is a show that reaches out to people who have never gone to theatre before and helps them to become theatre lovers. Many of these first-time patrons at SATURDAY’S VOYEUR then become season subscribers here at SLAC and see even more special, unique and brave plays that we produce.
What is unique about this particular production?
Fleming: On stage this year for SATURDAY’S VOYEUR you will get to see a wide array of characters from gods to mortals and ghosts to zombies. The god-like characters you will see are Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Moroni, Moses, and Jesus. The ghost is our adorable dead docent Eula. Then our mortals are ward members and a couple that is going on the reality TV show My Husband Is Not Gay. Finally, the zombies in the show are internet zombies which represents how ideals about the LDS church are exposed on the internet, and this information is opening the eyes of some members, and they are questioning their church. This show will be unique also because of the use of the god-like characters in the show. These characters make fun of the idea of prophets just making up stories and shows that religion shouldn’t be taken so seriously.
Why do you think SATURDAY’S VOYEUR continues to resonate with Utah Audiences?
Fleming: SATURDAY’S VOYEUR resonates with Utah audiences because the show is about them. We are all attracted to things that are about us or are familiar to us. This show is a beautiful merge of not only a play that we can all relate to, but also a party, which makes it so much fun to come to. It’s not unusual to see a family of four generations at VOYEUR. SATURDAY’S VOYEUR is one of the best ways to celebrate this crazy quirky state that we live in.
What keeps you coming back to be involved in SATURDAY’S VOYEUR?
Fleming: I love the challenge. SATURAY’S VOYEUR exemplifies the power of theatre and the power of collaboration. It takes our creative abilities and raises them to the highest level possible because we are producing a world premiere musical in six weeks. Normally world premieres can take anywhere from 2 to 7 years or even longer to produce. We open next week and we haven’t even finished Act 3 yet. But I know that everybody will rise to the occasion because this is a group of extremely talented artists. I could rehearse SATURDAY’S VOYEUR every day: it is just joy to be surrounded by this amazing group of talented designers, actors, and technicians.
You’ve performed many different roles in the theater. You’re involved in many aspects of this production (choreography, directing, producing). What are some of the challenges that come from wearing so many different hats?
Photo’s by dav.d Photography
Fleming: My wearing of “many hats” at SLAC is the result of my passion and love for this company, and I always say yes to things I’ve never done before. My in-depth knowledge of all the aspects of theatre helps me serve this company. I also have amazing people that work with me, and together we create a project that is our personal best. I have tremendous gratitude for our designers, actors and staff.
How do you feel about the Utah Theatre community right now? Are there things that are exciting?Things you would want to see more of?
Fleming: I have been fascinated, intrigued, and proud of Utah’s theatre ever since I moved out of Bountiful to SLC when I was 18. At this time there was amazing theatre being produced by many theatre groups and companies in Salt Lake. and this has continued to today. An example being The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival that is hosted by Westminster College this summer (August 6-9th) that I am hearing so much about just sounds inventive and so unique. The people here in Salt Lake seem to just say “Yes!” to all types of art. The audience for the arts is not only huge here but is also growing which is extremely exciting and allows for said innovators like the Great Salt Lake Fringe to create. Overall, I am so proud to live here and be a part of this amazing community that loves to support the arts.
Is there anything else you like to say to our readers?
Fleming: I would like to say one last important thing about SATURDAY’S VOYEUR. An important thing about this show is it allows us to introduce to 14,000 people to our next season. Next year will be our 45th season in flight! The reason behind why we chose this catch phrase is because in our next season there are lot of birds either referenced or in the shows we are producing within the season. We also chose this this phrase because our company is in a spectacular place right now because we have committed ourselves to help, honor, and give to our community. We are at this moment focusing 50% of our attention to being a resource for our community and 50% to producing shows. So with this kind of beautiful merge into our community, we only see ourselves soaring further up as this next beautiful season is produced.
