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Political satirists Capitol Steps to perform Saturday

Oct. 1, 2008

KALAMAZOO--In celebration of the impending election, political humorists Capitol Steps will be at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium for a single performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.

Capitol Steps is a troupe of congressional staffers-turned-comedians who tour the nation satirizing the very people and places that once employed them. Cast members are firmly bipartisan, finding entertainment at the expense of both Republicans and Democrats. The Capitol Steps have performed for the last five presidents. Many of the performers have worked on Capitol Hill, some for Republicans, some for Democrats, and some for members who sit firmly on the fence. The current cast of the Capitol Steps has infested the offices of 11 U.S. senators and seven members of the House of Representatives.

The Steps were born in December 1981, when three staffers for Sen. 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 create songs and skits that conveyed a special brand of satirical humor. 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, politicians could become entertainers. The group now has 30 cast members, five of whom are on stage for any one show along with a pianist.

Tickets for Capitol Steps at Miller Auditorium are on sale now and range from $15 to $35. They are available by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858, online at millerauditorium.com, or by visiting the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office or Epic Center Box Office in downtown Kalamazoo. Groups of 20 or more should call (269) 387-2312 for special discounts.

Media contact: Tracey Lawie (269) 387-2309, tracey.lawie@wmich.edu

WMU News
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