The Steps Capitalize on the Lighter Side of Politics MCAB Ushers in The Capitol Steps, Entertaining a Capacity Crowd

Author: Chris Grosso

Americans love to expose the shortcomings of the U.S. political system, and they definitely enjoy a good, hearty laugh once in a while. What happens when one creatively combines the two? You get a political parody. That's the case only if the jokes are funny, though. Middlebury College just witnessed an extremely successful collaboration. On the first night of Parents' Weekend, Friday, Oct. 10, the political comedy troupe the Capitol Steps packed Pepin Gymnasium with bodies and laughter. The Middlebury College Activities Board-sponsored event entertained a crowd of over 900 people with its antics.

More than 20 years have passed since the Steps' took to the stage for the first time. It is clear that their humor has adapted to the likings of the country. The Capitol Steps were born in December 1981 when co-founders Bill Strauss and Elaine Newport, both of whom worked for Senator Charles Percy, were planning a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Christmas party. Their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but in the whole Congress they "couldn't find three wise men or a virgin!" Instead, they decided to browse the headlines of the day, and skillfully concocted a bunch of parodies and skits to amuse the guests. Fortunately for us, they were inspired and ended up developing a delightful brand of satirical humor.

The troupe's comedy is a blend between the song parodies of "Forbidden Broadway" and the political sketch comedy of "Saturday Night Live." The merger results in a variety show of songs discussing the major political mishaps of the day.

The points of humor paraded by the show were not unfamiliar to anyone in the audience. Its funny and simultaneously non-threatening jokes touched on the conflict in the Middle East, the California recall elections, and of course, George W. Itscomedy was not only hysterical and entertaining but also extremely witty. But it wasn't all about politics. The troupe also targeted Martha Stewart, SUV lovers and cellular phone addicts.

One of the highlights of the show was a spoonerism routine in which the first letters of key words and phrases were switched. It was funny and quite suggestive. The TRL parody appealed to the MTV generation.

The performers also impersonated each of the Democratic Presidential candidates and sang theme songs to publicize their platforms. The personalized tunes aimed to evoke each contestant's identity. Any decent political parody wouldn't be complete without mention of the Clintons. The Steps posed the question: why isn't Hillary running in the near future? She bitingly claimed in a public address that her biggest setback was Bill, who pranced around the stage.

Martha Stewart amused the crowd with a monologue regarding her recent public embarrassments. Her monotonous tone and terrible presentation proved to be quite effective as her impersonator had the audience chuckling.

And of course, the Capitol Steps mentioned Arnold. In "Total Recall," one of the opening skits, newly elected Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was mocked for his celebrity-action-hero status, thick accent and womanizing tendencies.

The six-person cast consisted of five performers and a pianist, and they all displayed enthusiasm and zeal from start to finish. The song-and-dance routines worked well as the crew rapidly transitioned from one scene to the next. They wisely selected props and costumes and a variety of wigs. To heighten some of their caricatures, they applied eyebrows and mustaches. The quick pace of the cabaret kept the audience interested and asking for more - it certainly didn't seem like 90 minutes.

The comedy group's clever wordplay and musical frolics made quite an impression. To no surprise the Washington, D.C., based-group, which regularly tours, has amassed a respectable audience nationwide.