The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents 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. The Washington Times praises Capitol Steps, "Clapped like mad for the Capitol Steps! ...The best musical satire on Washington I've ever seen!" Capitol Steps returns to the Byham Theater on Sunday, October 31, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. This performance is part of the 2010-2011 Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.
In 1981, after quitting their day jobs, the founding former Hill staffers decided to dig into the headlines of the day and create song parodies & skits that would convey a special brand of satirical humor that was as popular in Peoria as it was on Pennsylvania Avenue. Now, More than 25 years later, no matter who holds office or what is happening on the Hill, Capitol Steps never fails to run out of timely, hilarious material.
Although not all of the current members of the "Steps" are former Capitol Hill staffers, taken together the performers have worked in a total of eighteen Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience. 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.
Tickets ($20.75, $34.75, $42.75) for the October 31, 2010 performance of Capitol Steps at the Byham Theater may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, online at www.pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.
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