The Capitol Steps was just named winner in Washington City Paper's annual Reader's Choice poll for "Best Place to Take an Out-of-Towner 2013." Not going to DC anytime soon? No worries. Harris Center/Three Stages saves you the trip by bringing this award-winning political satire to Folsom for just one night tonight, October 2.
The Capitol Steps had an innocent beginning. What began as Christmas entertainment party-planning for the staffers of Senator Charles Percy in 1981, quickly took on a life of its own. The original plans were discarded when, according to co-founders (committee members) Elaina Newport, Bill Strauss and Jim Aidala, "Their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but in the whole Congress they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin!" They decided instead to dig into the headlines of the day, and create song parodies & skits which conveyed a special brand of satirical humor that was as popular in Peoria as it was on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Performers for this tour of The Capitol Steps are Mike Thornton, Morgan Duncan, Mike Tilford, Delores King Williams, Ann Margaret Schmitt, with pianist Howard Breitbart.
The Capitol Steps will perform on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25-$35; Premium $45; Students with ID $12 (Parterre and Balcony). Tickets are available online at www.harriscenter.net or from Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Parking is included in the price of the ticket. Harris Center is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, CA, facing East Bidwell Street.
Although not all of the current members of the Steps are former Capitol Hill staffers, over the past 30+ years the performers have worked in a total of eighteen Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience. Some have worked for Democrats, some for Republicans, and others for politicians who firmly straddle the fence. No matter who holds office, there's never a shortage of material. Says 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."
Since they began, The Capitol Steps have recorded over 33 albums, including their latest, Fiscal Shades of Gray and their special holiday release, Barackin' Around the Christmas Tree. They've been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, and National Public Radio stations nationwide during their Politics Takes a Holiday radio specials. The Capitol Steps have performed for the last 5 Presidents. The only complaints the Steps seem to get are from politicians and personalities who are not included in the program! Former President George Bush, Sr. remarked "The Capitol Steps make it easier to leave public life."
Upcoming shows at the Harris Center/Three Stages include Brubeck Brothers: Tribute to Dave Brubeck, Thursday, September 19, Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, Friday-Sunday, September 20-22, jazz great Carmen Lundy, on Saturday, September 21, America's Got Talent 2010 winner, Michael Grimm: Grimm's Fairytale Tour; Sunday, September 22, Alonzo King LINES Ballet on Friday, September 27, and This is the '70s Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29. For further information or to purchase tickets, visit our website at www.harriscenter.net.
Videos