WHARTON, TEXAS – Political puns will flow fast and thick as the Capitol Steps, a wildly popular Washington, D.C.–based comedy troupe presents “The Lighter Side of Politics” for The Wharton County Junior College Foundation Gala on Friday, Aug. 15. To accommodate growth, this year’s event moves to Richmond, Texas. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Safari Texas Ballroom, located at 11627 FM 1464.

Underwriters for the event are The Rosenberg-Richmond Auto Mile. Dealerships include The Finnegan Auto Group, Fort Bend Toyota, Ernie Guzman Hyundai, Gillman Honda/Nissan, Legacy Ford/Lincoln Mercury, and Southwest Kia. Additional sponsorships remain available.

The Capitol Steps have performed for the last five presidents and for millions of Americans on network television and National Public Radio. “Politics Takes a Holiday,” the troupe’s live radio show, is aired on NPR four times yearly – New Year’s Day, April Fool’s Day, Independence Day and Halloween.

Brilliant performers who have perfected political parodies, the Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out in 1981 to satirize the very people and places that employed them. Since then they have recorded 28 albums and won numerous awards for comedy and musical theatre.

Most cast members have worked on Capitol Hill so there’s never a shortage of material. In fact, founding member Elaina Newport says, “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.”

Shows by the Capitol Steps are mostly for out-of-town audiences, but a regular weekend show in their

hometown is “a favorite on the Washington, D.C. social circuit,” according to The Wall Street Journal. Praising the comedians, the WSJ said, “Its political satire brings chuckles…rave reviews…guffaws…and bipartisan grins all around. The satire hits the mark.”

Proceeds from “The Lighter Side of Politics” will benefit student scholarships, faculty development, and academic programs at Wharton County Junior College. Gold Sponsor tables seating 10 are available for $5000. Silver Sponsor tables are $2500 and Bronze Sponsor tables for $1500. Individual tickets are $85.

Along with the always current and creative entertainment by the Capitol Steps, the evening includes a reception and a 7:45 p.m. dinner. Also featured are live and silent auctions. Information on charter bus service from Wharton/Matagorda is available at mem64@sbcglobal.net.

Wharton County Junior College was founded in Wharton, Texas in 1946. Today the college’s service area encompasses six counties along the Gulf Cost and enrollment tops more than 6,000 students taking credit courses at four campuses and two extension centers. In addition to the main campus in Wharton, the college has campuses in Sugar Land, Richmond and Bay City. Extension centers operate in El Campo and Palacios.

The Richmond campus, more commonly called the WCJC Fort Bend Technical Center, is the forerunner to a Richmond satellite campus that opened in 1983. From 1980 until 1983, WCJC offered day classes at Rosenberg’s B.F. Terry High School. The current Richmond campus on FM 1640 opened in August 2001.

WCJC first offered classes in Sugar Land in 1989 at Clements High School. In 1990 the campus moved to its current location on Julie Rivers Drive. WCJC is eagerly anticipating its move in early 2009 to its new U.S. Highway 59 campus, next to the University of Houston.

The Bay City campus opened in August 2007. WCJC had operated an extension center in the city since 1998.

For more information about the gala or to purchase sponsor tables or individual tickets, please call 979.532.6322 or 1.800.561.9252, ext. 6322. Information is also available online at www.wcjc.edu by linking to the Foundation.

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