Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
No One Is Safe
Capitol Fools laugh at current events
Nothing is sacred when your comedy comes from current events. “When Joe Biden sings his rendition of the Beatles song, ‘When I’m 84,’ you know you are in for a good time,” says performer Jack Rowles of the Capitol Fools. “When a couple of Mouseketeers sing an anthem to Ron DeSantis exclaiming, ‘In his pants he has a Minnie,’ you know you’ve discovered comedy magic. When an innocent young lady sings, ‘I Want a Brand New Pair of Candidates,’ you know it’s time to ‘Pick a New Leader.’”
Or in the case of the Capitol Fools, those words might get jumbled. You’ll have to use your imagination; this is a family newspaper.
But comedy — even somewhat edgy comedy — is important, Rowles believes.
“Current events create tense barriers between people with otherwise common interests,” he says. “And comedy helps to disassemble those barriers. In other words, laughter is the best medicine.
“Laughter soothes the soul and brings us together in good times and bad,” he goes on. “We laugh because we can, should and need to. We CAN is a tribute to living in a great country. SHOULD refers to the medicine of laughter, especially when dealing with the bat-[guano] craziness of politics. NEED TO? There is nothing more powerful than sitting in a room full of politically astute patrons from all political persuasions sharing laughter and making fun of folks from both sides of the aisle.”
The Capitol Fools have been quiet for a few years, silenced not by lack of material but by the challenges of covid 19. But they’re back, performing at the Walton Arts Center for one show only Oct. 26, and they have the power of history behind them. The Capitol Fools were born out of the Capitol Steps, a musical comedy troupe which formed in 1981 when some U.S. Senate staffers in Illinois Sen. Charles Percy’s office got together to provide Christmas party entertainment.
“Long story short, after 40 years of writing and performing, the original creator of Capitol Steps, Elaina Newport, decided it was time to spend the next 40 years in a cozy chair on a remote beach,” says Rowles. “Little did she realize that her partner and far superior co-writer, the great Mark Eaton, felt he had more comedy gold to mine. (You’ll never guess who wrote that last sentence!) The former performers of Capitol Steps had quit their day jobs a long, long, long time ago. So, when comedy called, we answered. Enter, the Capitol Fools!”
WAC spokeswoman Jennifer Wilson says the new troupe is still known for “backward talking spoonerisms,” costume changes, over-the-top impressions, and song parodies reflecting the day’s news,” making for a show “lighthearted, witty” and “mild enough to appeal to viewers on both sides of the political sphere.”
“There is no age recommendation on this show,” Wilson says. “I’d say if you love political satire, whatever your age, then this is the show for you!”
Rowles says the comics don’t pick political sides.
“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. When you go into the voting booth, we ask that you vote for the funniest candidates.”
Among this year’s newsworthy topics for the Capitol Fools are Joe Biden and Kamala Harris reflecting on the fact that their blend of “Elderly and Ovaries” makes them the perfect pair; an overpriced gas pump contemplating what kind of fuel he is; and a bill’s journey to Capitol Hill interrupted by a blustering and filibustering Mitch McConnell.
“The show changes as the news changes,” Rowles says. “We are updating for every performance. Our political system is the gift that keeps on giving — that is, if you’re in the Capitol Fools!
“We like to say, ‘The worst thing about political jokes is they keep getting reelected.’”