Iowa's political song and dance

'Caucus! The Musical' has some fun with the state's venerable but sometimes tiresome electoral tradition.
By P.J. Huffstutter, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 8, 2007
DES MOINES — Inside a brightly lighted downtown theater, a group of actors gathered around a piano, their songbooks open and voices ready, waiting for their cue.

Director Tony Humrichouser peered intently at the score. With his nod, the cast began to sing:

 
    I remember back in '84 ,

    I went to open up my door

    And there stood Walter

    Mondale in my yard.

    He'd been there since the break of dawn,

    That's when he'd mowed and raked my lawn

    And walked and fed my lazy St. Bernard.

    "Think of all the times you've had a candidate call your house late at night, wanting to talk about taxes or education!" Humrichouser urged, yelling over their voices.

    Such is the nature of artistic direction at the first rehearsal of "Caucus! The Musical," an anthem to Iowa's role in the frenzied race for the White House. Written by native Robert John Ford, the play both celebrates and lampoons a hallowed electoral tradition here in the heartland.

    "What the candidates do is all song and dance," said Ford, settling in to watch the cast practice. "It's just done on a different kind of stage."

    Anything for a vote . . .

    Bill Bradley washed my

    pickups

    Anything for a vote . . .

    Kucinich cured my hiccups.

    Iowans know well that a

    candidate will sell

    His soul to earn one measly caucus vote.







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