The satirical comedy group, “The Capitol Steps,” were welcomed to the stage of the Columbia Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 10 as part of the 2012 Fanfare season.
The Capitol Steps are a group of performers who travel around the world performing satirical comedy shows for various audiences. The show consisted of a series of comical political satires mocking current national scandals such as the presidential debate, airline security and the secret service. Based out of Washington D.C., the group performs shows weekly every Friday and Saturday at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, in addition to performances nationwide.  
The group started as a small idea for entertainment at a Christmas party in 1981 and has since developed into a profession with 30 years of business, humoring audiences with as many as 4,000 spectators.  The cast includes 26 performers who have worked in 18 Congressional offices and represent 62 years of House and Senate staff experience.
“We started out with Reagan and now we’ve moved on to Barack Obama,” said Brad VanGrack, Capitol Steps performer. “Occasionally something good will happen. Unfortunately, when bad things happen in the country, it fortunately tends to be good for the Capitol Steps.”
 Director and producer Elaina Newport is responsible for most of the material used for the performances and decides how much time is allowed for cast members to learn lines and lyrics.
“Whenever she comes up with a new idea, she will email us the song, the lyrics and the new lines we have to learn,” explained Jon Smith, four-year veteran performer of the Capitol Steps. “Then she’ll give us a time frame. Our brains are usually busted by the end of the night.”
Although the topics covered during the show can be controversial, the act attempts to provide equal opportunities for entertainment of audience members with different views on specific topics. The cast also performs a short recap of the show and a skit of backward’s talk called “Lirty Dies,” which includes material from several members of the cast. The attendees usually find humor in both sides and appreciate the opportunity for a good laugh, especially in the peak period of the presidential election.  
“We try to be equal opportunity offenders,” explained Smith. “One thing that I notice, usually after the show is that people are appreciative, especially with all of the politics going on, that they can finally have something to laugh at.”
The group has made several appearances on prominent talk shows such as “Good Morning America,” and “The Today Show” and have recorded 32 albums. Additional information, videos and  merchandise  is provided on the Capitol Steps website at www.capsteps.com. For a current list of acts that will take the stage of the Columbia Theatre this season, visit their website at www.columbiatheatre.org.