During this presidential election year, one might eventually become tired of the negative advertising and mudslinging associated with political campaigns.

But tonight’s comedy show by The Capitol Steps, a musical political satire group that ridiculed prominent people like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, President Bush, Osama bin Laden and former Cuban President Fidel Castro, attempted to make the barrage of politics easier to swallow.

Actors parodied older songs of the 1970s and 1980s to fit current event topics, such as Al Gore and his stance on global warming and Pluto no longer being a planet in the solar system.

Zenia Diokno, UNIQUE programs adviser, said approximately 300 to 400 tickets were sold for this event, with many of the attendees being middle-aged or older.

“I thought (the show) was great,” Diokno said. “The performers were good, they were enthusiastic and they touched on a lot of current political issues and personalities.”

Graduating senior theater major Keith Bordsen had never seen the show before, but really enjoyed it. Bordsen is affiliated with the Republican Party.

Karen Reynolds, a Democrat, saw the comedy show three years ago at the Crest Theatre. She said this evening’s show was wonderful and she was not offended by any of the humor. Reynolds would have liked to see more of the Barack Obama character.

Elaina Newport, who was previously on the staff of former Illinois Senator Charles Percy, founded the comedy troupe in 1981 at a Senate Christmas party.

“Vote for the funniest candidate for president and keep us in business,” Newport said.

25 actors comprise The Capitol Steps group. They rotate characters and perform a total of 700 shows annually.

Only five members traveled to Sacramento to perform the 30 different skits, each one lasting two to five minutes in length. As the current events change, so do the skits, said Mike Tilford, another actor.

Leonard Low can be reached at [email protected].