Between Iraq and a Hard Place - By Capitol Steps

www.capsteps.com
703.683.8330

At
The John Houseman Theatre

Conceived, Written, and Directed by Bill Strauss, Elaina Newport,
and Mark Eaton
Musical Director: Ken Lundie
Starring: Mike Carruthers, Kevin Corbett, Morgan Duncan, Ann Johnson, Elaina Newport, Bari Sedar, Tracey Stephens,
Mike Thornton, Mike Tilford

Set Concept: R J Matson; Lighting Design: Krista Martocci; Prop and Costume Design: Linda Rose Payne; Sound Design: Jill BC DuBoff; Technical Director: Brad Van Grack; Production Coordinator:
Marina Bridges; Advertising Representative: Rave! Advertising;
Press Representatives: Jeffrey Richards Associates, Irene Gandy; Production Supervisor: PRF Productions/Peter Feuchtwanger;
General Management: EKTM Inc., Jonathan Shulman

By Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
July 22, 2003

The Capitol Steps, appropriately based in Washington, DC, used to be Congressional staffers and are now comedians and dancers, singers and performers, who present over 500 shows/year all over the country. They have recorded 23 albums and have been featured on television and radio, nationwide. As it happens, I love politics, political talk shows in the middle of the night, and local and national campaigns. I also love political satire (See Bill Maher Review), no political party protected or preferred. Between Iraq and a Hard Place more than amply satisfied my insatiable need for political satire, and I hope to continue to see future productions of Capitol Steps. With songs like, Papa's Got a Brand New Baghdad, Springtime for W's Economy, and Hang Down Your Head, Tom Daschle, this hilarious cast, in dozens of wigs, costumes, props, slide films, and uniquely sophisticated lyrics, kept re-appearing as George W, Arafat, Cheney, Hillary, Bill, Martha Stewart, Hans Blix, Saddam Hussein, and Ariel Sharon, and more. There were spoofs on SUV's with Starbucks in the rear, a surreptitious friendship between Sharon and Arafat, and lax airport security that searches old ladies, while terrorists walk right by. No political party or philosophy was spared, and this was bi-partisan humor, although liberal Democrats were offered a feeding frenzy, well worth the ticket.

Next time Capitol Steps is in town, RUSH to buy a ticket for the beginning and the end of the run, since they change the songs and spoofs daily to match the ongoing news and current events. You should be prepared to laugh out loud and yearn for more. This is political news at its best, entertaining and searing with truthfulness.

Capitol Steps

---