Elect to enjoy your constitutional right to laugh with the Capitol Fools

A New Year's Eve tradition returns to Nazareth University

Rochester, NY (11/15/2024) — Political humor is back in session with the Capitol Fools!

The Capitol Fools is the next generation of the beloved Capitol Steps, Washington DC's premier political satire show that cracked up audiences since the Reagan administration. Featuring performers and writers from the Steps, they put the 'mock' back in Democracy, specialize in bipartisan spoofery, and will appear live on stage at Nazareth University on New Year's Eve.

Uniting the country one laugh at a time, Nazareth's Visual, Performing Arts & Design annual Changemakers Series presents "Nazareth Welcomes the Capitol Fools" and their hilarious musical political comedy in the Arts Center's Callahan Theater for two shows on Tuesday, December 31 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Featuring former members of the iconic comedy troupe, Capitol Fools delivers plenty of grins, giggles, and guffaws both parties can agree on with pointed satire, clever parody songs, and spot-on impersonations, providing a light-hearted yet sharp-witted look at today's political landscape, making it an event that everyone - no matter their idealogical leanings - will enjoy. And they quickly add new topics and songs in response to the latest and greatest headlines.

"For over a decade before the pandemic, the Capitol Steps were a New Year's staple at Nazareth," noted Kevin Schoonover, Managing Director of Nazareth's Arts Center. "We are overjoyed to introduce this new comic ensemble - where no politician is safe, and every absurdity gets its moment in the spotlight - to Rochester area audiences."

The original group was born in December, 1981 when some Senate staffers were planning entertainment for a Christmas party. Their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but in the whole Congress they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin. So, they dug into the headlines of the day, and created song parodies and skits that conveyed a special brand of satirical humor. What started as "roasting the boss," quickly became a national touring act.

After nearly 40 years of uproarious ridiculing of our government leaders to sold out crowds, America's leading political satirists got hit by the global pandemic and decided to call it quits.

But several members of the famed group would not go gentle into that good night. After a brief pause in performing, a peaceful transfer of comedy power took place. And from the remnants of the Capitol Steps, the Capitol Fools was born thanks to an intrepid bunch of cast members and writers who knew a world without musical parody would be a dreary world indeed.

"You would not know the difference between Capitol Steps and Capitol Fools," said Jack Rowles, who was with Capitol Steps for 20 years and now leads the new crew as a producer/director/performer/costume designer/set designer/type A over-achiever. "And given the current political climate and how easy it is to make fun of, we're gonna stay in business a long time."

As fast-paced and laugh-out-loud as ever, these jesters roast both sides of the aisle.

"We don't pick political sides," Rowles continued. "We skewer everybody. No one is safe from us. That way, nobody can say, 'Oh, you're picking on the Democrats, or picking on the Republicans.' We pick on everybody."

Reserved seated tickets are $45-$80. They are available at artscenter.naz.edu, in person at the box office from 2-5 p.m., Wednesday - Friday, or by calling 585-389-2170. Expect bipartisan belly laughs as the Fools plunder the day's news and spoof the state of our union with wisecracking wordplay, wit, and whimsy.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to let loose and enjoy relevant irreverence," added Schoonover "And to celebrate New Year's Eve with cheerful lampooning that'll last 'til the midterms."

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