Panicking? The Citizens Band is Here to Save the Day

Iraq. Market collapses. Moose-hunting candidates. We could all use a little spirited political satire right now. Right on time for the Wall-Street maelstrom and the election '08 endgame, sexy New York City musical troupe, The Citizens Band, returns with another installment of their ruthless, politically-blunt, Tim-Burtonesque vaudeville act, "The Panic Is On". Trapped in a ballroom where they are forced to make their own entertainment, The Citizens Band performs a mix of originals and classics referencing war, immigration, and poverty. But even with such maudlin subjects—and several maudlin musical numbers— the Band never descends into Liberal-Arts-school political activism. They may be singers, players, acrobats, and dancers, but they sure ain't whiners. We've got our fingers crossed hoping that Citizens members Karen Elson, Sarah Sophie Flicker, or guest star Nina Persson of the Cardigans will roll out their best Sarah Palin imitation when we catch them this October at the historical Henry Street Settlement.