Satirical singers find the humor in politics

By Jerry Fink

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 | 2 a.m.

They say what’s bad for the country may be good for them.

“When I get up in the morning I don’t listen to news and think, ‘Is this good for the country?’ I think, ‘Is this funny and what rhymes with it?’” says Elaina Newport, a founder of Capitol Steps, which uses song parodies to lampoon politics and politicians.

Soon the members won’t have President Bush to kick around anymore.

“Bush has been a fantastic president, with his malaprops and his situations,” Newport says.

Now they’re scoping out the long list of presidential hopefuls, looking for fresh meat.

Capitol Steps’ home base is Washington, D.C. the belly of the political beast where the group performs most weekends at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

“Everything here is named after Ronald Reagan now,” Newport said from her home. “I think they’re going to name the Lincoln Memorial for Ronald Reagan.”

During the week the performers frequently travel. On Thursday they will be at UNLV.

The fact that they are appearing a couple of days before the Nevada caucuses was the brainchild of the university, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

“Somebody planned ahead, but not us,” Newport says. “We plan these things a year in advance, so when we planned the appearance in Las Vegas we had no idea the primaries were going to jump all over each other to move up in the pecking order.”

Capitol Steps was founded in 1981 by a group of Senate employees who were planning on a one-night stand.

“It was for a Senate office party,” Newport says. “We thought we might get fired for doing it, but we were just going to do it once and stop. But no one seemed to mind or object so we just kept going. In fact, a lot of politicians have invited us to perform for them.”

They were influenced by legendary satirists such as Tom Lehrer and Mark Russell.

“Mark started 25 years before we did,” Newport says. “He did influence us, but when I was growing up I also was a fan of Alan Sherman and Tom Lehrer.”

After three years cast members quit their day jobs and became full-time comedians.

Newport is the last original cast member still performing, though some have been with the group 15 or 20 years. Bill Strauss, 60, a founder of the group, died Dec. 18 at his home in McLean, Va., after a long illness.

Though there are more than a dozen members, each show consists of five performers and a pianist who perform about 30 songs and skits.

The presidential race has provided a lot of fodder for the troupe’s wit.

“Rudy Giuliani, every time he is asked a question he answers with 9/11,” Newport says. “So we take a Led Zeppelin song, ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ and change it to ‘He’s Relying on 9/11.’”

No one escapes the shrapnel. Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama and all the other candidates take their lumps.

Newport says the women cast members are rooting for Clinton to win.

“We’ve never gotten to play for the president,” she says.

Actually, they’re rooting for the funniest candidate.

“Hillary would be great because she would bring Bill with her,” Newport says. “But Rudy’s good too, because of all his ex-wives. Anybody with a good scandalous past is good for us.”

But it’s not always a snap.

“You try to write a Bill Richardson joke. It isn’t that easy.”

Photo illustration of The Capitol Steps, satirical singing group. 2008 PUBLICITY HANDOUT