The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) welcomes back the popular musical political satire group Capitol Fools to the Belushi Performance Hall for performances at 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12. 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 Capitol Fools, with its fingers on the pulse of today’s politics and news, is constantly creating new material. The MAC engagement will feature new musical "appearances" by a host of popular and not-so-popular characters including RFK Jr, Karoline Leavitt, Bernie Sanders, AOC and Kermit the Frog – plus some audience favorites including Bob Dylan, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mitch McConnell. Also included: the troupe’s hysterical backward talking spoonerisms and signature breakneck costume changes.
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. But in 2022, the Capitol Steps reunited under the name Capitol Fools to carry on the tradition of delivering sharp and timely political humor.
The Capitol Fools cast appearing at the MAC features former members of the Capitol Steps, including Jon Bell, Evan Casey, Nancy Dolliver and Jack Rowles (also show director), plus Emily Gleichenhaus who will be making her MAC debut. Howard Breitbart is again at the piano as music director. Mark Eaton continues as head-writer, and Evan Casey, in addition to being in the show, has joined the writing team.
Tickets
The McAninch Arts Center, located at 425 Fawell Blvd., presents the Capitol Fools at 3 & 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12. Tickets are $39-$49. To order tickets, go to www.AtTheMAC.org, call 630.942.4000 or visit the MAC Box Office. Box Office hours are noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and two hours prior to performance.
Please note: This performance may contain adult themes and material
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 Enjoy Illinois, DuPage County Board, Illinois Arts Council, Ball Horticultural, Wight & Company, Anonymous, The DuPage Foundation, the Les and Mary Wiberg fund of the DuPage Foundation, Arts DuPage, JCS Arts Health & Education Fund, Capstone Financial Advisors Molex, Brookdale Senior Living Glen Ellyn, Frank Modruson & Lynne Shigley, Sullivan Taylor Family Trust, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago, DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle/Naperville, DuMore DuPage, WDCB 90.9 FM, and College of DuPage Foundation
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.