Democrats in Montana are employing a "raunchy" sketch cabaret show to raise money for Rob Quist, the party's banjo-playing nominee in the special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by Ryan Zinke.
The Flathead County Democratic Party has decided to team up with a local theatre to use its show, "Wet Hot Amurican Mess," as a fundraiser for Quist. Tickets for the event range from $15-$50 for seats in the theatre or $500 for a six-person "Cabaret Table on the floor."
The event is described as "very adult" by its host.
"It's a one night only extra-special, purely political cabaret show to raise money and awareness to promote and champion progressive values," says the description. "The show is silly, sexy, smart, and very adult."
The show, put on by Viscosity Theatre, has earned attention for its "silly, ridiculous and raunchy" skits, such as its trademark "Proud to be a Homosexual" song, which is performed as a parody of "Proud to be an American."
Here's a music video for that one:
"There's a great deal of raunch, but there's a lot of political humor and social, environmental—just about how we relate to the world," said the show's producer.
Attendees can also expect to hear "a take on Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise,' retitled 'Glacier Paradise,' about melting glaciers and global warming," according to the local Missoulian.
It's not all political, however, as during a Christmas show the group performed Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" in drag.
The event was first noticed by a Montana politics blog, which noted that an outside money group called Big Sky Rising is co-hosting the event with the Flathead Democrats.
Quist, an accomplished musician, has made it a regular thing to perform at campaign events. However, he will not be performing in the cabaret event, according to the chair of Flathead Democrats. The group said neither Quist nor his campaign has been involved in the event.
Quist did not return a request for comment.
Quist got in hot water this week after it was reported by the Associated Press that he had been evading paying taxes for nearly a decade. Quist said that the numerous tax liens issued to him shouldn't be seen as an indication that he can't manage his money, saying instead that the financial issues were due to a botched gallbladder surgery.
"It's not a case of me not being able to manage my finances," Quist said. "I was doing just fine until I had this health issue."