Theater Reviews

Jan 22, 2000 - "Sheep Dip" Implodes Mayor & City Council

By Jack Neal

"Sheep Dip," the irreverent roast of northern Nevada politics, is thirty-six years old but there're no signs of a mid-life crisis for this Reno Ad Club show that raises money for journalism scholarships at UNR.

It's the scholarship part of "Sheep Dip" that keeps it free of libel suits and gets politicians to join in the fun with a grimace and a ho, ho, ho, like it or not. Kenny Quinn, Nevada's new governor, joined his predecessors via video in kicking off the annual event, this year staged at Reno's Flamingo Hilton. The governor was in top form in his intro, appearing almost relaxed doing something I'm sure he wishes would just go away. But "Sheep Dip" just won't go away and with Mr. Guinn's blessing it was, to borrow a line from the old Jackie Gleason show, "and away we go."

The pending implosion of the Mapes is this year's hot topic, along with "Waiting and Waiting and Waiting" at the DMV and serial meetings of the Reno City Council - a cleverly written Dr. Seuss bit called "Seating at the Meeting." Attroney General Frankie Sue Del Papa comes in for her share of ribbing ala her "I'm running, I'm-not-running" campaign strategies for both Nevada's governorship and the state's upcoming open seat in the U.S. Senate. Viagra isn't overlooked, it's a drug made for the scatology of "Sheep Dip." "Psychiatric Hotline" is a timely reminder of how automated phone answering has made life easier for everyone save costumers. Nor is the sincerity of the powers that be of the Regal Theaters overlooked. The company's public pledge to stay in Reno for the long haul two days after making a private deal to sell their interest in the Truckee River complex is but one of "Sheep Dip's" major jabs of the evening.

One of the show's many charms is that "Sheep Dip" gives over one hundred we-never-wanted-to-graduate-from-our-high-school-variety-show hams a marvelous chance to strut their stuff and say the suggestive things they'd never have gotten away with in high schools of yesteryear. Mixed in with this elbow-our-way-to-the-spotlight crowd are a few pros sent over by their TV stations to pay homage to mixed metaphors and double entendres. All together, the cast is an over-the-top crowd that brings pleasure through vulgar and politcally incorrect skits, some good to fine singing and simple but inventive choreography (by Desiree Pickard) that can be managed nicely by once-a-year-on-stage dancers.

Local news anchors Brent Boynton and Jennifer Burton (News Channel 8 with the team you know and trust) team for some trusty droll one-liners and bring a bit of class to the proceedings. As do Bill Brown and Victoria Campbell (News First on Channel 4) who have a ball saying off-color, off-camera things.

Linda Lott, the show's executive producer, is as smooth in the spotlight, a stuffy Miss Primm re-training out-of-a-job girls from Mustang Ranch, as she is at managing her star-struck charges. Chuck Bratton is excellent as a disheveled Mayor Griffin struggling to make amends at the Pearly Gates for his role in the Mapes' demise. As St. Peter, Chuck Harper's good-timing makes his moments questioning Bratton the show's best performed segment.

Diane Nichols' Teri Miser Kooker to-the-point spin-off on what is played as the utlra liberal bents of a local attroney with a similar sounding name, is "Sheep Dip's" one-or-two best delivered commentaries. Lance Blayney's take off on the venerable Johnny Cash, Spend Yer Cash, is the worth the cash paid for admission. The company's barber shop quartet - Mike Anderson, Roger Williams, Cheryl Williams, Kathy White - offers a pizzazzy opening to "Waitin' at the DMV" that could make waiting in that line worthwhile.

The "Sheep Dip" Vault is a treasure chest of past videos with a few especially good ones used in this show. In addtion to Governor Guinn's terrific opening video which includes Nevada governors back to Grant Sawyer, the show's other best video is "Store Wars," a ruthless and well-done commentary on the battle for and religious ethics of grabbing grocery bucks in northern Nevada.

"Sheep Dip" is remarkably well and lovingly produced. Roger Riffle, assisted by Pat Smith have directed. Managing volunteer players with humor and the right stuff to make a performance work isn't easy but Riffle and Smith have the considerably right stuff that makes "Sheep Dip '36" a special hit. Marita Vanlaningham, creative producer, Eileen Gay, video producer, and the show's writers - which for reasons of libel and other unseamly threats remain absolutely confidential - all deserve credit for a backbreaking effort and a fun-loving show.

"Sheep Dip '36" opened at the Flamingo Hilton Hotel, 225 North Sierra Street, Reno, Friday. January 21, 2000. Its final performance is Saturday, January 22. For ticket information call 775-785-7080.