Capitol Steps

"Left, right or center, Capitol Steps ... has a laugh and an insult for everyone." - Variety

"The Capitol Steps make it easier to leave public office." - President George H.W. Bush

"The Capitol Steps are what Washington would be if everyone were smarter and could sing." - PJ O'Rourke

"The Capitol Steps will cause your sides to split." - C. Everett Koop

If your idea of a Friday night out on the town includes a Bill Clinton impersonator dressed as Elvis singing "Return to Center, Viewpoint Unknown," then Farthing Auditorium is the place for you on Friday, October 21, as the political satire/comedy troupe Capitol Steps takes the stage by storm, leaving no political stone unturned. No politician - or political situation - is safe from their lyrical mockery.

Capitol Steps first came together in December 1981 at a Christmas party for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, when three members of Illinois Republican Senator Charles Percey's staff were assigned to provide entertainment. Troupe legend has it that they wanted to put on a traditional Nativity play, but "in all of Congress were unable to find three wise men or a virgin," so instead they borrowed a giant fake check that had been created as a prop for a subcommittee debate and used it to illustrate a carol entitled 'Immense Expense is Mainly in Defense.'" The rest is history, spoofed in song.

Since this auspicious debut performance, the Capitol Steps have played to packed houses across the nation, including Boone, for 24 years. They have recorded 23 albums including, It's Not Over 'Til the First Lady Sings, Georgie on My Mind, All I Want for Christmas is a Tax Increase, Fools on the Hill, and most recently, Four More Years in the Bush Leagues. They have made countless television appearances, on shows such as Good Morning America, the Today Show, 20/20, Entertainment Tonight, Nightline, and three national specials for public television. They are also regulars on National Public Radio, both on All Things Considered and quarterly specials.

Many of the performers have worked on Capitol Hill, some for Republicans, some for Democrats and some for members who, in their words, "sit firmly on the fence." The members of the current Capitol Steps cast have at one time or another worked in the offices of eleven US Senators and seven members of the House of Representatives. Most of these politicians have since been defeated - or placed under investigation. In addition to touring the world, the troupe currently plays Chelsea's in Georgetown every Friday and Saturday night.

The October 21 performance at Farthing Auditorium promises a tongue-in-cheek repertoire, including: "You're So Vague," "Turban Cowboy," "Fakey Purple Hearts," "Cheney and the Jets," "Wouldn't It Be Hillary?" and "If I Only Had a Plan."