The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) is thrilled to welcome the popular musical political satire group Capitol Fools to the Belushi Performance Hall for the first time at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. The Capitol Fools carries on the Capitol Steps’ trademark of “putting the ‘mock’ in democracy” by holding up a mirror to our crazy political culture with hilarious song parodies and foolish reflections to inspire laughter. The MAC engagement will feature new musical "appearances" by a host of popular characters including Donald Trump, JD Vance, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Mitch McConnell, Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, and more.
The Capitol Steps, the witty Washington, D.C. comedy group and predecessors to the Capitol Fools, was formed in December 1981 when three of Senator Charles Percy’s (R-Ill.) staff members were asked to entertain the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at its holiday party. The young staffers decided that if entertainers, such as then President Ronald Reagan, could become politicians, then politicians could become entertainers. They became known for tastefully lampooning the latest news headlines through satirical skits and lyrics set to favorite songs. "They're the best. There's no one like them, no one in their league," said CNN’s Larry King.
The Capitol Steps experienced unwavering popularity for nearly 40 years until 2020 when the impact of COVID on their touring schedule forced them to close down. In 2022, Chicago’s own Michael Pauken, a long-time Capitol Steps fan, approached former Step Jack Rowles with the idea of having Capitol Steps come together to create a new musical satire group. Long story short: the Capitol Steps reunited under the name Capitol Fools to carry on the tradition of delivering sharp and timely political humor. Today, the Capitol Fools cast features former members of the Capitol Steps, including John Bell, Evan Casey, Kevin Corbett, Nancy Dolliver, Tara Gesling and Emily Levey. The head writer is Mark Eaton, the former writer for the Capitol Steps. Rowles and fellow former Step Howard Breitbart currently serve as director and musical director respectively.
Tickets
The McAninch Arts Center presents Capitol Fools at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 in the Belushi Performance Hall at the MAC, 425 Fawell Blvd, on the campus of College of DuPage. Tickets are $42-$53. For tickets visit www.AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.4000. The McAninch Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 6 p.m. and two hours prior to performance.
About the MAC
McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage is located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355. It houses three indoor performance spaces (780-seat proscenium Belushi Performance Hall; 186-seat soft-thrust Playhouse Theatre; and a versatile black box Studio Theatre), outdoor Lakeside Pavilion, plus the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and classrooms for the college’s academic programming. The MAC has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and typically welcomes more than 100,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances each season.
The mission of the MAC is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. For more information about the MAC, visit www.AtTheMAC.org or @AtTheMAC on Facebook and Instagram.
Support for the McAninch Arts Center is provided in part by Brookdale Senior Living Glen Ellyn, Anonymous, College of DuPage Foundation, Sullivan Taylor Family Trust, DuPage Foundation, Ball Horticultural, Frank Modruson & Lynne Shigley, Enjoy Illinois, Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Media Sponsor is WDCB 90.9 FM, Hotel Sponsor is DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle/Naperville.
Established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization in 1967, the College of DuPage Foundation raises monetary and in-kind gifts to increase access to education and to enhance cultural opportunities for the surrounding community. For more information about the College of DuPage Foundation, visit www.foundation.cod.edu or call 630.942.2462.