The Capitol Steps
As the best contemporary political satire group in America today, The Capitol Steps will leave your audience in stitches with timely humor and song parodies on the intrigues of government.
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Tags: American Issues, comedy, Corporate Entertainment, Entertainment, political satire
FEATURED VIDEOS
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
The Capitol Steps are a troupe of Congressional staffers-turned-comedians who travel the States satirizing the very people and places that once employed them. The Steps perform over 500 shows a year all over the country.
Since they began, the Capitol Steps have recorded 33 albums, including their latest, “Fiscal Shades of Gray.” They’ve been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS and can be heard 4 times a year on National Public Radio stations nationwide during their “Politics Takes a Holiday” radio specials.
The Capitol Steps were born in December 1981 when 3 staffers for Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment for a Christmas party. Their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but in the whole Congress they couldn’t find three wise men or a virgin! So they decided to dig into the headlines of the day and created song parodies and skits which conveyed a special brand of satirical humor that was as popular in Peoria as it was on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Ronald Regan was President when the Steps began, so co-founders Elaina Newport, Bill Strauss and Jim Aidala figured that if entertainers could become politicians, then politicians could become entertainers! Since then, the Steps have had over 4,500 performances in 48 states. The group now has 22 cast members, 5 of whom are on stage for any one show.
Most cast members have worked on Capitol Hill: some for Democrats, some for Republicans, and others for politicians who firmly straddle the fence. No matter who holds office, there’s never a shortage of material. Says Elaina Newport: “Typically the Republicans goof up, and the Democrats party. Then the Democrats goof up, and the Republicans party. That’s what we call the two-party system.”
Although the Capitol Steps are based in Washington, DC, most of their shows are out-of-town or for out-of-town audiences, whether it’s the National Welding Supply Association, a University audience, High Schoolers, or State Legislators. In fact, the Capitol Steps have performed for the last 5 Presidents (6, if you include Hillary). The only complaints the Steps seem to get are from politicians and personalities who are not included in the program!
The Capitol Steps's Programs
Program Descriptions
The Lighter Side of Politics
The Capitol Steps’ show is rip-roaring political fun. The seven-member cast is a constant transition of new costumes, props, and music. Their political satire song parodies take potshots at the outrageous goings-on in Washington.
Musical Musings
No matter which side of the political fence you’re on, you’re guaranteed to enjoy The Capitol Steps. Their production is rip-roaring political fun, one constantly updated to reflect today’s political headlines, with new costumes, props and music. In no way mean-spirited, their hilarious musical satire takes potshots at the outrageous goings-on in Washington, unafraid to say in public what most of us are thinking!
Equal Opportunity Satire
If you’re in the political public eye, look out! The Capitol Steps target issues and personalities in the news right now — picking on Republicans, Democrats and anyone else who deserves it — for an unforgettable entertainment experience.
Live Lampoonery and Recordings
The Capitol Steps perform over 300 shows a year all over the country and frequently appear on television. Over the last 20 years, the group has performed off-broadway and produced 24 recordings, including their latest, Papa’s Got a Brand New Baghdad and such ditties as Between Iraq and A Hard Place, Osama Come Out, Tomorrow; Bill’s Way; Fools on the Hill; Son of a Bush; One Bush, Two Bush, Old Bush, New Bush; It’s Not Over Till the First Lady Sings!; First Lady and the Tramp; Unzippin’ My Doo-Dah and more.
