Spend ‘An Evening with the Capitol Steps’ as they bring their sizzling political comedy to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St., Saugatuck. On Sunday, July 3, at 8 p.m., the Capitol Steps take aim at both sides of the political aisle with their deliciously funny political satire. Tickets are $41 in advance or $43 at the door and can be purchased online at sc4a.org or call 269.857.2399.
Just in time for this fall’s presidential election, the troupe brings its current-event focused humor to the SCA’s boutique theatre. These former Capitol Hill staffers set out more than 30 years ago to satirize the very people and places that employed them. The Steps were born in December 1981 when some staffers for Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment for a Christmas party. Ronald Reagan 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!
“The Capitol Steps are all about timing — political timing, comedic timing, and the timing it takes to write satire that’s right on top of the latest news, scandals, and polls,” wrote the Washington Post.
Since they began, the Capitol Steps have recorded more than 34 albums and have been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, and can be heard twice a year on National Public Radio. The group creates parodies and skits based on relevant topics after digging into political headlines.
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. Troupe member Elaina Newport said “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.”
For information and tickets contact the SCA box office at 269.857.2399 or sc4a.org.
