As I’ve mentioned before in this blog, the best things that Washington, DC has to offer are free. Smithsonian museums, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the monuments, and bike trails along the Potomac don’t cost a red cent to enjoy. This summer I’ve become aware of another freebie, evening concerts. In the past month I’ve been treated to concerts by the US Navy and US Army bands on separate evenings on the west steps of the Capitol. Sitting on the steps with the Capitol dome behind you and the expanse of the National Mall in front with the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial lined up in the distance, while listening to the Battle Hymn of the Republic is a special experience.
This past weekend my daughter paid me a visit and she, a close friend of hers, and I got to hear the Army band in that venue. However that was not the only “Capitol Steps” experience to be had that weekend. The night after the Army band concert, my daughter and I took in a performance of the musical parody troupe of the same name. The Capitol Steps perform each Friday and Saturday night at a theater in the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center which is just a few blocks from the White House. The Steps have been performing since 1981 and if you like political comedy, they will not disappoint. No one in power is spared being made fun of. During the two hour show, we saw musical numbers that poked fun at President Obama, Sarah Palin, Hilary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Boehner, Anthony Wiener (that one is just too easy), the TSA, the Supreme Court, the Tea Party and many others. Part of the show we attended was recorded for broadcast on National Public Radio on July 4.
I really can’t do the troupe justice by trying to describe the humorous lyrics in print, but you have to trust me, hearing duets by Michelle Bachman/Sarah Palin and Sonia Sotomayor/Ruth Ginsberg will make you laugh out loud. The musical numbers are very current and they have a never ending supply of material in Washington. The Capitol Steps travel around the country and if they come to your area, you won’t regret seeing them. Their home page provides details. Here’s a sampling of some of their songs.
Anthony Wiener: http://www.capsteps.com/sounds/weiner-itsybitsy.mp3
Obama on Osama: http://www.capsteps.com/sounds/osama-underthesea.mp3
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