'It gave me hope that the United States may yet endure - if we can laugh at ourselves'
The Capitol Steps bring their irreverent blend of music and comedy to UConn this Saturday. (Photo courtesy of AJ Mast)
With just three weeks before the Presidential election, the stairway to heavenly political satire originally laid by the Capitol Steps continues upward with the Capitol Fools, who bring their national tour to Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m.
The post-COVID reincarnation of the old troupe holds up a mirror to the nation's political culture, providing hilarious, bi-partisan song parodies and irreverent reflections on both sides of the aisle. Cast members from past seasons of the Steps join the ensemble for over-the-top impressions, break-neck costume changes, and all-new bits and song parodies reflecting the day's news.
The Capitol Steps was started in 1981 by some staffers in Illinois Senator Charles Percy's office to provide Christmas party entertainment and to rib the people that employed them. Soon, they were touring the nation chronicling the humor found in current events through clever song parodies.
When the Capitol Steps called it quits in 2021 after nearly 40 years, an intrepid group of former cast members and one co-writer chose not to go quietly into that good night. Reflecting on a world without musical, political satire, they did not like what they saw. And just like that, the Capitol Fools were born.
The Capitol Fools perform all the beloved bits, the mind-boggling backward talking spoonerisms, break-neck costume changes, over-the-top impressions, and song parodies reflecting the day's news.
"The show left me feeling nostalgic for a future filled with education, science, and a sense of humor," Brian Karen said about the current show on Salon.com. "I wasn't alone. One line delivered in a skit was met with thunderous applause. 'Pay teachers more and Congress less' nearly got a standing ovation. It gave me hope that the United States may yet endure - if we can laugh at ourselves."
Capitol Fools writer Mark Eaton spoke with WHUS on the Good Music show (Wednesdays from 3;00 to 5:30 p.m.) about how the performance has evolved during the 2024 Presidential campaign.
