Capitol Steps: "Make America Grin Again"

Famed comedy troupe Capitol Steps brings its rollicking Make America Grin Again show to Palo Alto’s Oshman Family JCC. Founded by a group of Congressional staffers turned comedians, the political-satire group has been called “The best. There's no one like them, no one in their league,” by Larry King. The Capitol Steps offers sketch and improvisational comedy in a mix of song and standup, complete with hilarious parodies of familiar people and places. From lampooning modern political leaders and tackling major current events, no issue or public figure—Democrat or Republican—can escape the satire. Capitol Steps tackles both sides of the political spectrum (and all things equally foolish) in Make America Grin Again 7:30pm, Thursday, January 9 at the Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. For tickets ($60-$65) and more information, visit paloaltojcc.org/capitolsteps or call (650) 223-8678.

Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and institutions that employed them. Since the group formed in 1981, they have recorded over 35 albums including their latest, Make America Grin Again. The Capitol Steps have been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, and can be heard twice a year on National Public Radio stations nationwide during their Politics Takes a Holiday radio specials.

Although not all of the current members of the Steps are former Capitol Hill staffers, taken together the performers have worked in a total of 18 Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience. Members of the Capitol Steps are: Brian Ash, Jon Bell, Bari Biern, Mike Carruthers, Evan Casey, Jenny Corbett, Kevin Corbett, Nancy Dolliver, Morgan Duncan, Mark Eaton, Janet Davidson Gordon, Corey Harris, Anne Willis Hill, Emily Levey, Elaina Newport, Richard Paul, Jack Rowles, Ann Margaret Schmitt, Tracey Stephens, Mike Thornton, Brad Van Grack, Delores King Williams, and Jamie Zemarel. The group’s pianists are Howard Breitbart, Marc Irwin, Dave Kane, Emily Bell Spitz, and Lenny Williams.