KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The political satire group Capitol Steps celebrated 30 years of poking fun at pundits and politicians in 2011. The group, which has about 25 members, performs over 600 shows a year around the country. Tonight they’ll perform for the first time in Kodiak. Mike Tilford has been performing with the group since 1992. Each show includes five members and pianist. Tilford says the nature of their operation requires performers to take on several different roles in a week.
— (CapSteps 1 :10 "Normally I’m Newt Gingrich one night and the next night I’m Bill Clinton and then one night I’m the baritone and the next night I’m the tenor. They like to keep us apprised of all the roles."
The group has been touring Alaska recently. While some Kodiak residents might shy away from attending tonight’s performance due to snow, Tilford says his experience in Fairbanks makes him confident that Alaskans won’t let a little inclement weather get in the way of a good time.
— (CapSteps 2 :16 "They’re so hardy. I was amazed. Apparently we were there on the two coldest days they’ve had since 2006 or something and it was 50 below the night of our show. Everybody showed up, the place was packed and hoppin’ and we had a good time. Very good crowd."
Tilford says the group is sure to make fun of all political figures equally. Though his experience in Alaska with Sarah Palin jokes has been mixed.
— (CapSteps 3 :23 "We actually had a couple of the places where we did shows up here tell us that they were sick to death of Sarah Palin and to pretty much leave her out of the show. It’s not that they didn’t want us make fun of her, they were just tired of hearing about her period. A couple of places we did hardly any Palin and then I think it was Fairbanks I polled them about it and they said, "Sure. Make fun of her." So we put a little more in."
Capitol Steps will perform tonight at 7 p.m. at the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium. Tickets are available through the Kodiak Arts Council website
