Political satire company to perform at Ritz Theatre
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They say laughter is the best medicine. And if you're sick of politics, Capitol Steps is the antidote. Capitol Steps began as a group of U.S. Senate staffers planning a Christmas party in 1981. They needed entertainment, so they decided to satirize their employers. Instead of getting fired on the spot, they became a hit. Since then Capitol Steps has released 27 albums — including their latest, Springtime for Liberals, — and performed 5,000 times in 48 states. "We're odd," said Elaina Newport, producer and co-founder of Capitol Steps. "Where else can you see Kim Jong-Il sing show tunes?" The show is never short for things to poke fun at. Everyone and every thing is fair game when it comes to Capitol Steps. "The current administration has been very funny," Newport said. "The guy who plays George Bush has it very easy. Even if he messes up his words, he's still in character." Capitol Steps are completely non-partisan — they will turn anyone into a parody. Some of the favorites are "Tap Three Times," for Sen. Larry Craig, "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Korea?" and "Staying Alive," which is about the aging Supreme Court justices. Another favorite skit is Lirty Dies. Lirty Dies is an old Vaudeville routine where the first letters of words in a phrase are switched. For Capitol Steps, it's a great way to tell any story, but especially sex scandals. As long as there is news, there will be fodder for Capitol Steps. They are constantly writing new parodies, such as "When I'm 84," for John McCain and Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton singing "Ebony and Ivory." In times of serious problems, like Hurricane Katrina, or war, or a depressed economy, Capitol Steps is there to lighten hearts. "There are serious issues that come along that aren't funny at all," Newport said. "But it's probably more important to do it when it's serious. You need the comedians or you'd go a little crazy." Capitol StepsWhat: Political satire company |
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