The Washington, D.C. Comedy troupe Capitol Steps return to New York City May 8-Aug. 31 with their fourth installment When Bush Comes To Shove. The show, set to open May 16, will play at Off-Broadway's John Houseman — where two of their past shows have played.

In their usual comedic way, Capitol Steps targets Bush, Bloomberg, Arafat, Enron, Bin Laden and Greenspan in When Bush Comes To Shove. The topical political satire includes 25 musical numbers including new songs that will be added daily to keep current.

The Capitol Steps were formed 21 years ago by co-founders Bill Strauss and Elaina Newport — aides for Republican Senator Charles Percy — when they were asked to entertain at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Christmas party. The group has grown to include a troupe of current and former Congressional staffers.

Producer Eric Krebs brought Capitol Steps to OB first in 1997 with their self-titled debut Capitol Steps. Since then, the troupe has returned with Unzippin My Doodah and Other National Priorities in 1998 and It Ain't Over Till the First Lady Sings in 2000. The company has toured nationally playing over 8,000 performances over the years and is up to their 21st album with "When Bush Comes To Shove." Other CDs include "One Bush, Two Bush, Old Bush, New Bush," "Sixteen Scandals," "A Whole Newt World" and "76 Bad Loans."

The rotating cast of When Bush Comes To Shove include co-founders Strauss and Newport as well as Mike Carruthers, Kevin Corbett, Ann Johnson, Linda Rose Payne, Jack Rowles, Tracey Stephens, Mike Thornton, Mike Tilford and James A. Zemarel. For tickets to Capitol Steps: When Bush Comes To Shove at the John Houseman, 450 West 42 St., call (212) 239-6200 or visit Tele-charge.com.

— by Ernio Hernandez