Keynote Presentation

The Pacific Oil Conference is pleased to announce the Capitol Steps, a hilarious satire troupe of Congressional staffers-turned-comedians, as the keynote presentation at this year’s Pacific Oil Conference and Trade Show, The Western Summit.   

Thirty years ago, the Capitol Steps were created after three staffers for Senator Charles Percy 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 decided to dig into the headlines of the day and created song parodies and skits which conveyed a special brand of satirical humor that was as popular in Peoria as it was on Pennsylvania Avenue. Based in Washington, D.C., the Steps perform over 500 shows a year all over the country.

Most cast members have worked on Capitol Hill: some for Democrats, some for Republicans, and others for politicians who firmly straddle the fence. No matter who holds office, there's never a shortage of material. According to Elaina Newport, co-founder of the Capitol Steps, "Typically the Republicans goof up, and the Democrats party. Then the Democrats goof up, and the Republicans party. That's what we call the two-party system."

The Capitol Steps will perform during POC’s Tuesday Night Networking Dinner, September 18, 2012 at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada.