All the news that’s fit to mock

The Capitol Steps lampoon the political scene

October 9, 2008

Articles, Nu Magazine - October 9, 2008

A devoted Dane Cook fan, I had always been stubborn about branching out and listen to other comedians. However, when taken by my grandparents to see Capitol Steps perform, a whole new world of satirical comedy opened up to me.

For 27 years, Capitol Steps has been making Americans laugh with national tours, radio shows, and over 20 different albums. Capitol Steps is a touring comedic show made up of 32 actors and actresses who satirize current events and politics through a series of skits and songs. Although not all the performers of Capitol Steps are former Capitol Hill staffers, together they have worked a total of 18 congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience.

The group really puts together an entertaining show. They impersonate politicians, deflate icons, and ridicule American politics and culture. Their spoofs include mock interviews with George W. Bush and Larry Craig prancing around a public toilet.

Especially now, with the upcoming election, the Steps have created some hysterical skits impersonating and mocking politicians like Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, and John McCain. In a great argument between Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas, both men continuously insult each other with “Yo Mama” jokes and other immature comebacks.

The Capitol Steps also sing, spoofing current events to the tunes of classic American songs. Midnight Raid to Georgia (to the tune of Midnight Train to Georgia) mocks Vladimir Putin and Russia’s invasion of Georgia; Obama Mia (to the tune of Mamma Mia) lampoons Obama’s popularity among many journalists. When Mitt Romney ran in the primaries, they sang Oh, What a Beautiful Mormon.

The Capitol Steps do a fantastic job of mimicking and satirizing political faces and current events. They can be appealing and entertaining to both teenagers and their parents, and I think everyone should definitely take the time to listen to their albums.

For more information, visit capsteps.com.

Elana Widmann, 16, attends Newark Academy and is a member of Nu’s teen board.