Rutland
posted
Jan 31, 2013
Photo courtesy of Paramount
Theatre
Political satire at it's best, Capitol Steps return to
Paramount Theatre hot off an election year, for some sure-to-be
hilarious antics. Don't miss them Feb. 1.
Capitol Steps, a politically diverse group of Senate staffers who
quit their day jobs in order to set out and satirize the very
people and institutions that had employed them, returns to The
Paramount Theater in downtown Rutland on Friday, Feb. 1 at 8
p.m.
For 30 years, the group has performed for audiences across the
country, including the last five presidents, and 5 annual National
Public Radio Broadcasts. While the current cast members primarily
consist of professional actors and singers, the original members
were former Capitol Hill staffers who represented a total of 18
congressional offices with 62 years of cumulative House and Senate
staff experience.
"Having just wrapped up a contentious, exciting election year,
this is the perfect time to bring this group back to our
community," says Eric Mallette, The Paramount's Programming
Director. "I hope this show will provide the audience with a chance
to laugh and maybe even learn a little about American
politics."
As comedians, nothing is off limits. They mock everyone from the
past-Republican presidential candidates such as Newt Gingrich to
Vice President Joe Biden.
The group was born in December of 1981 when some staffers for
the late Illinois Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment
for a Christmas party. Their first idea was to stage a nativity
play, but they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin. So, they
decided to dig into the headlines of the day, and they created song
parodies and skits, which conveyed a special brand of satirical
humor.
Larry King from CNN commends Capitol Steps by saying, "They're
the best. There's no one like them, no one in their league." Elaina
Newport, producer and founding member of Capitol Steps, says,
"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."
Capitol Steps is produced by Elaina Newport; with lyrics by
Elaina Newport, Mark Eaton and the touring cast (to be announced).
Their show is constantly changing and based on the scandal of the
day. But you might spot a few of these musical numbers in the
performance: Obama Mia, Don't Go Fakin' You're Smart, I Like Big
Cuts and I Cannot Lie, Duke of Oil, The Hillary-billies, The Sunni
Side of Tikrit, Cash for Codgers, Monster Cash, God Bless My SUV,
Age of a Stimulus, TSA: Moist and Dangerous, Juan Nation, Axles of
Evil, Send in the Clones, Mine Every Mountain Lirty Dies…and more!
Capitol Steps awards include Wammie Award Winner 2009 for the third
year in a row by Washington Area Music Association; nomination for
a Drama Desk Award in 2007 for Outstanding Lyrics, and Winner of
the Washington Post Best Bets Readers' Choice Award for Best Live
Theater in 2005.
This event is sponsored by Vermont Public Radio, George Lyons,
The Mountain Times, Roots, and Wilk Paving.
Tickets ($29.50 - $39.50 + tax) for this and all other Paramount
Theatre events are available now by phoning The Paramount Theatre
Box Office at 802 775-0903. Tickets may also be purchased online
at www.paramountlive.org or at The Paramount Theatre Box
Office at 30 Center Street.
