Capitol Fools Digital Program Book

FRI, OCT 25, 2024 7:30 PM SPONSORED BY

SEASON LIEDERS Chuck & Karen Harris

CORPORATE SPONSOR

Lyrics by Mark Eaton Performers Jon Bell, Evan Casey, Kevin Corbett, Nancy Dolliver, Emily Everson Gleichenhaus, Jack Rowles Director Jack Rowles

Musical Director Howard Breitbart

Executive Producers Michael Pauken and Jack Rowles www.capitolfools.com

ABOUT THE CAPITOL FOOLS The stairway to heavenly political satire originally laid by the Capitol Steps continues upward with the Capitol Fools!

What happens when Washington, D.C.’s premiere, political satire group - The Capitol Steps - calls it quits after nearly 40 years? Most folks would agree that it was a great run, and the story would end there.

But an intrepid group of cast members and a co-writer would not go quietly into that good night. This band of fools reflected on a world without musical, political satire, and didn’t like what they saw. And just like that Capitol Fools was born.

While foolish enough to embark on this new journey, they were smart enough to not reinvent the wheel. Fast-paced, laugh out loud show… check. Equal opportunity offenders…check. Skewering both sides of the aisle…check. If a “Steps-style show” is wrong, they don’t want to be right.

The Capitol Fools cast has a combined 60+ years of experience on stages across the nation and are every bit the show professionals you’ve come to expect. They will give you a memory that will last a lunch time.

The spirit, irreverence and D.N.A. of the Capitol Fools live on with the Capitol Fools!

Have friends who like to laugh in other states? The Capitol Fools are on the road! For more information visit capitolfools.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

THE CAST

Emily Gleichenhaus

Evan Casey

Jack Rowles

Jon Bell

Kevin Corbett

Nancy Dolliver

Tara Gesling

THE COMPANY Jon Bell is a former member of the Capitol Steps. He toured with the company for 11 years.

Prior to putting on a suit to play Barack Obama, you may have seen him singing and dancing in the rock show, “Rockin’ Eve’s Wrath” as the lead singer “Wrath” at Busch Gardens. Jon is so excited to be part of the Capitol Fools company and to be back on stage and playing again!!

Evan Casey spent a dozen years making funny faces and using silly voices for the Capitol Steps.

When not searching for rhymes for «filibuster» and «gerrymander», or harmonizing to the latest debt ceiling crisis, Evan›s pedestrian theatre work has been seen across a variety of stages up and down the east coast, ranging from Off-Broadway to West Palm Beach, FL. He has garnered numerous award nominations throughout his career, the names of which he has conveniently forgotten for the writing of this bio. His work has been celebrated as “Fair to middling!” by the New York Times, and “A face that is easily forgotten!” by Variety. His most important roles are that of father to his two children, Oscar and Alice, and husband to his wife Tracy, although neither production has been open to review from the press.

After Kevin Corbett’s career as a dancer was tragically derailed by the fact that he was a terrible dancer, he turned to a life in comedy. He spent 20 years performing political satire & song parodies with Capitol Steps. Kevin teaches improvisation, comedy, and filmmaking to students of all ages at Round House Theatre in Maryland and is the director of The Roundlings program (a comedy troupe for high school students). He is also a faculty member at The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Washington D.C., where he teaches comedy, improv, and commedia dell’arte, to aspiring professionals. Kevin is a two-time Helen Hayes award watcher, a dad joke connoisseur, and a 2nd degree black belt in the ancient art of pranks.

Nancy Dolliver toured the country with The Capitol Steps for over 25 years. If you haven’t heard of her, that’s by design as she’s been hiding undercover behind the many faces (and wigs) of such well-known people as Monica Lewinski, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush, Sarah Palin, Kellyanne Conway, and other aliases. Nancy’s clandestine work is necessitated by her long career offending audience members from both sides of the aisle and she is pleased to carry forward the political satire torch as a member of the Capitol Fools.

Emily Leatha Everson Gleichenhaus’ maiden names spell check to “Emily Leather Evasion.”

Gleichenhaus is a gift from her husband and a pain in the neck to everyone in the spam call center. Emily’s performing life includes roles in many plays, musicals, and as herself in cabarets and one woman shows. She founded her children’s program Sing Books with Emily in 2009. Sing along, follow, and explore the Wonderful World of Illustrated Song @ SingBooksWithEmily on WordPress, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Jack Rowles (Producer, Director, Performer) is thrilled to be bringing the country together one laugh at a time with Capitol Fools after 20 years of putting the mock in democracy with Capitol Steps. Besides performing, Jack is also directing and co-producing the Fools along with producing partner Michael Pauken. Huge thanks to Mr. Pauken for all you do. And a huge thanks to you, the audience, for supporting political comedy. Keep voting for the funny ones.

Howard Breitbart (Music Director) works extensively as a musical director/arranger/ collaborative accompanist throughout the Washington, DC area. After 27 years with the Capitol Steps, Howard is still trying to maintain composure, dignity and a steady tempo while his friends in the Capitol Fools attempt to crack him up. *Please note, he has nothing to do with the conspiracy spreading website Breitbart.com---or does he???

Mark Eaton is the head writer. When approached about a new show, he gave an enthusiastic “well, I guess I have nothing better to do.” Mark is hands down the sexiest, most spiritually advanced and intellectually gifted member of the Capitol Fools — he also got to write his own bio.

Michael Pauken (Producer) handles the business affairs of the Capitol Fools. He is not funny at all but does like to laugh at the antics of the others. In a previous life Michael was the general manager of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL for twenty years, managed theatrical productions such as the long-running Forever Plaid in Chicago, Milwaukee and Seattle, was director of marketing for the League of Chicago Theatres and more recently served as interim executive director for the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center in Georgia.

Michael much appreciates that Jack, Mark and the cast have made this opportunity possible.

CORPORATE

SPONSOR STORY

Oak Creek Plants & Flowers is proud to be a supporter of the Lied Center’s commitment to the arts in Lincoln. Oak Creek was established in 1976 as a small plant shop. From those humble beginnings, we have expanded into Lincoln’s largest full service florist and greenhouse. Located at 13th and Arapahoe, Oak Creek provides floral delivery seven days a week, interiorscaping for homes and businesses, plant rentals for any occasion, and an expansive greenhouse that is open to the public. Our 30 employees pride themselves with providing beautiful, high quality products and prompt, knowledgeable service. Oak Creek is excited and grateful to be celebrating 46 years of serving the Lincoln community! oakcreekflowers.com 402-421-2999