Capitol Steps brings political satire to COD
Putting the "mock" in democracy, the sketch comedy troupe The Capitol Steps returns to the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Saturday, April 23. Performances are at 6 p.m. (sold out) and 9:30 p.m.
For more than 30 years, members of The Capitol Steps have been tastefully lampooning the latest news headlines through satirical skits and lyrics set to favorite songs.
"They're the best. There's no one like them, no one in their league," says CNN's Larry King.
The Capitol Steps was formed in December 1981 when Elaina Newport, Bill Strauss and Jim Aidala, three of Illinois Sen. Charles Percy's staff members, were asked to entertain the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at its holiday party.
The young staffers decided if entertainers, such as then-President Ronald Reagan, could become politicians, then politicians could become entertainers.
To date The Capitol Steps comedy group has recorded 37 albums. Their most recent, "Mock the Vote" (2015), celebrates a lame-duck president in a battle of wits against Congressional Republicans and features "guest appearances" by Ted Cruz, Vladimir Putin, Bibi Netanyahu, Jeb Bush, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton and more.
The Capitol Steps have been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC. The troupe can be heard four times a year on National Public Radio stations nationwide during its "Politics Takes a Holiday" radio specials.
Tickets to the April 23 performance are $42 to $49. For tickets or details, call (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org.