"The Capitol Steps" Provide Comic Relief for Fall 2004 Distinguished Lecturer Series

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - To help provide some post-election comic relief, the University of Arkansas welcomes the "Capitol Steps" as part of the Distinguished Lecturer Series for fall 2004. The performance begins at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at Barnhill Arena, located on Stadium Drive. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.

General parking will be available in Lot 44, located at the corner of Razorback Road and Maple Street. Additional general parking will also be available in Lots 72 and 73, located on the west side of Razorback Road.

Accessible parking for vehicles bearing handicap permits will be available in Lot 59, south of Barnhill Arena. Lot 59 is accessible from West Meadow Street, off of Razorback Road.

Reserved parking for the news media will also be in Lot 59. Media must present credentials to gain access to Lot 59.

Press access is the southeast entrance of Barnhill Arena. Designated areas for cameras and equipment are nearest to this entrance. An audio mult-box will be provided for electronic media.

In December, 1981, a group of staffers for U.S. Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment for an upcoming Christmas party. After failed attempts at a more conventional Christmas performance, the three opted for a parody of events taking place on Capitol Hill. From there, the "Capitol Steps" were born.

Acclaimed as "equal opportunity offenders," the "Capitol Steps" are now made up of 29 Democrats and Republicans, many of whom worked on Capitol Hill. The troupe has set out to satirize through song and skit the very people and places that once employed them. With more than 300 performances nationally, audiences range from high school students to state legislators. In fact, the "Capitol Steps" have performed for each of the five past presidents.

The "Capitol Steps" have recorded 24 albums, including their latest, "Papa's Got a Brand New Baghdad." They have also been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, and can be heard four times a year on National Public Radio stations nationwide during their "Politics Takes a Holiday" radio specials.

The Distinguished Lecturer Series is supported by student activity fees, the Associated Student Government and the University of Arkansas.

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Charles Crowson, manager of media relations, University Relations, (479) 575-3583, ccrowso@uark.edu

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