February 2012

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 1, 2012—The Capitol Steps will unleash its hilarity at Santa Clara University's Mayer Theatre on March 16 at 8 p.m.

Known for its comical parodies of national and local politics from both sides of the aisle, The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. For 30 years, the group has performed for audiences across the country, including the last five presidents. While the current cast members primarily consist of professional actors and singers, the original members were former Capitol Hill staffers who represented a total of 18 congressional offices with 62 years of cumulative House and Senate staff experience. 

"With the primary election season underway, this is the perfect time to bring this group to our school," says Butch Coyne, Center of Performing Arts director. "I hope this show will provide the audience with a chance to laugh and maybe even learn a little about American politics."

As comedians, nothing is off limits. They mock everyone from the Republican presidential candidates such as Newt Gingrich to Vice President Joe Biden.

The group was born in December of 1981 when some staffers for the late Illinois Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment for a Christmas party. Their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin. So, they decided to dig into the headlines of the day, and they created song parodies and skits, which conveyed a special brand of satirical humor.

The Capitol Steps is part of SCUPresents' Visiting Artist Series, which will conclude on April 21 at 8 p.m. at Mayer Theatre with The Stan Kenton Alumni Band under the direction of Mike Vax. Alumni of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, the Buddy Rich Band, the Woody Herman Orchestra, and other top name brands will come together to perform some of the well-known music of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, as well as new material. (For tickets or more information on either show, please call 408-554-4015 or visit our website.)

About Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University is a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located 40 miles south of San Francisco in California's Silicon Valley. Santa Clara offers its more than 8,800 students rigorous undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master's degrees in a number of professional fields, law degrees, and engineering and theology doctorates. Distinguished by one of the highest graduation rates among all U.S. master's universities, Santa Clara educates leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion grounded in faith-inspired values. Founded in 1851, Santa Clara is California's oldest operating institution of higher education. For more information, see www.scu.edu.

Media Contact
Butch Coyne | CPA Director | 408.554.4073 | bcoyne@scu.edu