April 21, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TICKET SALES:  805/756-2787

Put the Mock in Democracy with Capitol Steps May 15

SAN LUIS OBISPO–  After the intensity of current political campaigns and issues, Cal Poly Arts presents the bi-partisan levity of The Capitol Steps just in time: at 8 p.m. at the Cohan Center Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Red, blue, left or right, it’s all fair game when the Steps’ return to SLO for their much-anticipated encore of song parodies and skits.

In reviewing a performance by the musical political satirist ensemble, P.J. O’Rourke opined, “The Capitol Steps are what Washington would be like if everyone were smarter and could sing.”

Larry King summed the group up:  “They’re the best.  There’s no one like them, no one in their league.”

Whomever and whatever is in the current headlines become the lyrics of hilarious topical tunes, such as “If I Were A Black Man” – sung to the tune of “If I Were A Rich Man;” "Stand By Japan" – sung to the tune of “Stand By Your Man;” “Oh What a Beautiful Mormon,” based on the Oklahoma! hit; and the spoof to the tune of “Help Me Make It Through the Night” – “Help Me Fake It To The Right.”

Most cast members have worked on Capitol Hill – some 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 Stepper 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."

Twenty five years ago, The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them.  In the years that followed, many of the Steps ignored the conventional wisdom ("Don't quit your day job!") 

Although not all of the current Steps members are former Capitol Hill staffers, taken together, these performers have worked in a total of 18 Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience.

The Capitol Steps have recorded 28 albums, including their latest, Campaign and Suffering, a follow-up to their hugely popular, Springtime for Liberals.

They've been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, and can be heard four times a year on National Public Radio stations nationwide during their “Politics Takes a Holiday” radio specials.

General public tickets for the performance range from $32 to $44, with student discounts available on all seats, and may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. 

To order by phone, call 805/756-2787; to order by fax: 805/756-6088. 

Order on-line at www.calpolyarts.org.

Sponsored by Michael and Stacy Cannon, Bill and Harriette Shaffner, KYNS 1340/Air America, and KCBX 90.1 FM.

For more information on all Cal Poly Arts events, including audio and video samples, please visit www.calpolyarts.org.

            - 30 -