February 19, 1999

The Capitol Steps, a popular group that performs musical political satire, will bring their energetic and clever show to APA's annual meeting on Monday evening, May 17.

The Capitol Steps are a troupe of Congressional staffers-turned-comedians who travel around the country satirizing the very people and places that once employed them. They perform more than 400 shows a year.

Their performance will take place at the Convocation of Fellows in the Washington Convention Center. The convocation begins at 7:30 p.m.

The group was born in 1981, during the Reagan presidency, when three staffers for Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment for a Christmas party. Reviewing the day's headlines, they created song parodies and skits that conveyed political messages that could be enjoyed by all, regardless of party affiliation.

Since then, the Capitol Steps have put on more than 4,500 performances in 48 states. The group now has 22 cast members, five of whom are on stage for any one show.

"People love to laugh at the foibles of public figures like Bill Clinton, who deals with a 'Secret Asian Man' (sung to the tune of 'Secret Agent Man') or Bob Dole, who hopes to finally make his polls rise with 'Viagra' (sung to the tune of 'Maria')," says a spokesperson for the group.