Introduction to Planet Washington

Musical Comedy Performances

While working for the Senate Majority Leader and moonlighting with the famous Capitol Steps, Ken Rynne first met the master of political satire Mark Russell.  Ken gushed, “Mr. Russell, I want to be you when I grow up.” Without missing a beat, Mark replied “That can’t happen soon enough.”

Ken and virtuoso piano accompanist and sidekick Frank Plumer join forces as Planet Washington “spoofing politics, pop culture, and all that passes for ‘news.’” – The Harvard Crimson

“If you think that inside the Beltway sometimes is a planet unto itself, this show is for you.’ -The Boston Globe Ken Rynne is a lifelong political insider. Frank only votes for American Idol. Together, weaving inside stories, wise cracks, and great music – when news breaks, they fix it!

Planet Washington is based in DC and performs across the US at comedy clubs, concert halls, private events, clubs, schools, and churches. “Where 2 or 3 are gathered – with cash.” Planet Washington has recently performed at The Kennedy Center, The DC IMPROV, The National Press Club, The US Navy Memorial, The Cambridge Forum, and Denver’s Bovine Metropolis Club.

Meanwhile, Mark Russell has become a colleague and friend performing with the lads frequently, trying out new material for his sold-out 1-man shows at Ford’s Theater. “Great Show!  Potent!  Pithy!  Funny!   And you have a better piano player than I do!” – Mark Russell

A Brief History of (our) Time

Ken Rynne, Writer & Performer, a former choirboy, is the son of a Boston Irish cop who was a self-styled standup comic before “captive” audiences. Music, comedy, & politics were constant threads in his misspent youth. After Boston Latin School he studied government at Georgetown where he sang with The Chimes, Georgetown’s renowned a cappella group.  During a Tip O’Neill internship he contracted “Potomac fever.” He practiced energy law but why practice law, when you can help write it. A Senator from Ohio (Howard Metzenbaum) hired him to work on energy issues.  He was his hometown Congressman’s (Joe Kennedy) Legislative Director & staffed a House Banking Subcommittee.  He worked for the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders (George Mitchell & Tom Daschle) (moonlighting with the famous Capitol Steps and Hexagon). He directed Federal Relations for the American Institute of Architects & was a senior executive and lobbyist with credit card giant MBNA America Bank reporting to former FBI Director Louis Freeh.

Frank Plumer, Pianist & Singer, has been playing piano since the age of 4 months. He is a full-time music teacher and a well-known figure on the Washington social scene performing at private parties for DC’s movers and shakers with regular stints at DC’s best locations including The Bombay Club and The Prime Rib. He is a registered agnostic who only votes for American Idol.

Press Release

Planet Washington Exposes DC!!! With Laughs & Music

Washington, DC, ______, 2011 – While working for the Senate Majority Leader moonlighting with The famous Capitol Steps, Ken Rynne first met the master of political satire Mark Russell.  Ken gushed, “Mr. Russell, I want to be you when I grow up.” Without missing a beat, Mark replied “That can’t happen soon enough.” In the words of George W. Bush, “the present is now!”

Ken shucked a life of law, politics, and banking for music and comedy.  His inspiring “rags from riches” story is recounted in News & World Report Editor Kerry Hannon’s nationally acclaimed “What’s Next?  Follow Your Passion and Find Your Dream Job” (Chronicle Books 2010).

If you think that inside the Beltway sometimes is a planet unto itself, this show is for you.’ – The Boston Globe. Ken and virtuoso piano accompanist and sidekick Frank Plumer  join forces as Planet Washington “spoofing politics, pop culture, and all that passes for ‘news.’” –The Harvard Crimson. “If laughter is the best medicine, Ken Rynne is a one-man Mayo Clinic!” – Mark Shields, PBS NewsHour. “The new kid on the political comedy block.” – The Washington Diplomat.

Planet Washington is based in DC and performs across the United States a comedy clubs, large concert halls, private events, country clubs, schools, and churches. They have recently performed at The Kennedy Center, The DC IMPROV, The Arts Club of DC,  The Capitol Hill Club, The Woman’s National Democratic Club, The Cambridge Forum (Harvard), and Denver’s Bovine Metropolis Club.

They have appeared on PBS White House Chronicles (WHUR), The Informed Citizen with the Today Show’s John Palmer (RLTV/AARP), WGBH Boston, Canadian Television, and frequently the Samantha Clemens Show (Boston), Union Edge Radio (Pittsburgh) and on NPR.  Mark Russell the legend is now a colleague, friend, and a fan, performing with the lads, trying out material for his national appearances and Ford’s Theater shows.

If it’s making news today – in DC, in Hollywood ( politics is just “showbiz for ugly people.”), or in between – it’s in the show today! Satire guaranteed fresh daily.  Fair and balanced – and clean!  A Reagan White House alum praised the show’s ability to let everyone have a great time.  Planet Washington – with quick wit, rapid fire improv style and diverse musical repertoire with everything from Americana to contemporary pop and jazz favorites – guarantees a dynamic and exciting performance for any audiences. “Great Show!  Potent!  Pithy!  Funny!   And you have a better piano player than I do!” – Mark Russell

SOURCE: PLANET WASHINGTON, The Boston Globe, The Harvard Crimson, The Washington Diplomat

The Best of American Music

A Small Sample of Parodies

It’s Planet Washington Theme! (Hooray for Hollywood Parody) “It’s Planet Washington/ ‘show biz for ugly people,‘ Washington/ where any intern or a senior member, can make the press whir, with just a thong don’t you know/ And anybody from any lobby can make a lot of new friends if he has dough/

It’s Planet Washington, where “you’re terrific” until you’re undone./ Where big name White house staff are so excited (til they’re indicted”) to join in all of the fun/Come on step up and try, best Congress you can buy/ It’s Planet Washington.

It’s Planet Washington, We take no pris’ners but its just for fun/ Come join as we explore the ten square miles that yield such smile where all your tax dollars go/ (Thank you!) Let go your strife, look for intelligent life. It’s Planet Washington!

Parodies are baked fresh daily to spoof the day’s events, Check www.PlanetWashington.com for up to-the-tweet tweaks.

Anatomy of a Daily Parody.  You may ask, “How do come up with such funny stuff – every day!?” 1. The News Breaks. 2. Stroke of Genius or Coffee kicks in 3. Choose Song, Write Lyrics. 4. Laugh. 5. Repeat. 6. Get Out of Bed.

The Media: “Breaking News Means Be Afraid!” (“Be Our Guest”)

The Great Philanderer (“The Great Pretender”) (subject of parody varies)

The Ins: Barack Obama Superstar Medley (“Mellow Yellow/Maria/Hava Nagila”)

The Outs: Lipstick Wearin’ Hockey Mom Wasilla’s Sarah Palin (“Supercalif…”)

Starbucks: I’m a Barista (‘I’m a Believer”)

Beer Summit: Professor, the Cop, the Prez (“Where Ev’rybody Knows Your Name”)”

We Are Family: Bushes, Clintons, Legacies (“The Flintstones Theme”)

The Court: Justice Sotomayer (“Maria” from West Side Story)

Today’s Woman: Eliz’beth Warren (“Pretty Woman”)

Pundits: Limbaugh Rock (“Limbo Rock”)

Economy: Those Fabulous Buffett Boyz (Warren & Jimmy) (“Margaritaville”)

DC Corrupts: NY Gov. Eliot Spitzer,  Love Client #9 (“Love Potion #9”)

Inside Story: Health Care Reform (“Spoonful of Sugar”)

The Fourth Branch of Government: The Lobbyist (“The Wanderer”)

Valerie Plame: Do You Hear Who I Smeared? (“Do You Hear What I Hear?”)

The States (Immigration): Arizona! Los Papers Please! (“Oklahoma!”)

The States (Education): Don’t Mess With TEXAS! (Yellow Rose Of Texas)

Bill Clinton Still in the News: Secret Asian Man (“Secret Agent Man”)

School Nutrition: Pepsi, Dr Pepper & Coke (“Parsley, Sage…”)

The Court: Justice Sotomayer (“Maria” from West Side Story)

Today’s Woman: Elena Kagan (“Pretty Woman”)

Regulators: A Crude Awakening        (BP & Interior Regulation) (“Splish Splash”)

Largest US Private Employer:  United States of Walmart (“Under the Boardwalk”)

Green Economy: T. Boone Pickins is Grinnin’ (“Ballad of Jed Clampet

DC Tourists: Charlie on Metrorail      (”Charlie on the MTA”)

Nondenominational Sing-along – Included in Every Show!!! Happy Days Are Here Again  / This Land’s Still My Land!

Day of Beckoning: Battle Hymn of the Teabag  ( “Battle Hymn of the Republic”)

Stalled Ambition: Toe-Tappin Senator in Terminal B (“Boogey Woogie Bugle Boy”)

Big News: Ballad of Bo Obama (“How Much Is That Doggie in the Window”?)

Rudy Giuliani: A Rudy Amakening (“Secret Agent Man”)

If I Were Mike Bloomberg (“If I Were A Rich Man”)

Men Behaving Badly: The Great Philanderer (“The Great Pretender”)

Staff Infection: Aide Misbehavin’ (“Ain’t Misbehavin”)                                            \

FEMA It’s Demoralized, It’s Discredited, It’s Dysfunctional (“It’s D’Lovely”)

Condoleeza (“Mona Lisa”)

The Flying Kegmeisters (“Air Force Hymn”)

Beijing Olympics: Hello Dalai (Lama) (“Hello Dolly”)

Obamalot (“C’est moi”)

When John McCain Marches Right  (“When Johnny Comes Marching Home”)

Lou Dobbs Lament (“South of the Border”)

Hillary,The Last First Lady     (“Lydia, the Tatooed Lady”)

The Rosie, Oh Donald! Show (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show Theme”)

Think Tanks: The Whipped n’ Pooped Song (“The Whiffenpoof Song”)

And Custom Parodies Written While You Wait!

SPECIALTY ACTS include:

Bud Noir, Member of Congress Ken Rynne is “Bud Noir, Member of Congress,” a crusty if benign, smiling skeptic, Capitol Hill insider comments on current events in the persona of a 1940’s film noir detective-turned-Congressman – an homage to Garrison Keillor’s “Guy Noir, Private Eye.”  See Video  www.planetwashington.com Bud Noir Matches Wits With ‘Sarah Palin’ (MJ Bruno)

Contact: 202.360.5056                                                           www.PlanetWashington.com