Athens, Ga. – Perfectly timed for an election year, the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center will present America’s foremost political satirists, the Capitol Steps, on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall. Proudly calling themselves “equal opportunity offenders,” the Capitol Steps will poke fun at candidates on both sides of the political aisle.
Thirty years ago, the Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. Since then, the Steps have recorded over 30 albums, including their latest, “Desperate Housemembers,” and their special holiday release, “Barackin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
Humorist P.J. O’Rourke said, “The Capitol Steps are what Washington would be like if everyone were smarter and could sing.”
Most cast members have worked on Capitol Hill. No matter who holds office, there’s never a shortage of material, according to Capitol Steps co-founder Elaina Newport: “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.”
Although the Capitol Steps are based in Washington, D.C., most of their shows are performed on tour around the country for audiences ranging from trade associations to high school students to state legislators. The Steps have performed for the last five presidents, and the only complaints the Steps have received are from politicians and personalities who are not included in the program.
The material used for the musical satire is updated constantly. Current examples include a song inspired by the Tea Party, “Fun Fun Fun ‘til Obama Takes Our Tea Bags Away,” and the Democrats’ plan to defeat the deficit, “Return to Spenders.”
Other topics receiving the special Capitol Steps treatment are T.S.A. pat downs, Facebook and illegal immigration.
Tickets for the Capitol Steps are $39 with special discounts for UGA students. For tickets, see http://tickets.perfcenter.uga.edu/single/eventDetail.aspx?p=629 or call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706/542-4400 or toll free at 888/289-8497.
The performance underwriters are Paul and Carol Kurtz. The media sponsor is WUGA 91.7/97.9 FM.