The white stone steps of the State Capitol overflowed with political theater Tuesday morning, with characters ranging from clergy members and little old ladies to the usual dueling pols and a fed-up state employee.

CHAIRS ON THE STEPS

DFLers were the first to take to the stairs, with a motto ("Courage to Compromise"), and a gimmick (six empty chairs to represent the six Republicans who would need to join House DFLers to pass a budget).

FACE TO FACE

Next up were three Republican senators, crowing about the fact the Minnesota Supreme Court had scheduled a hearing later this month on a lawsuit contending that it is unconstitutional for courts to make spending decisions on keeping some government operations running during the state shutdown.

As he was winding down, Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, was confronted by Chris Lapakko, a laid-off state worker. "Do your job or give me your paycheck," he roared. "I'm not paying you guys to file lawsuits."

SERMON ON THE STEPS

Behind a tableau of loaves and fishes and milk and honey on the west steps, dozens of clergy members with the activist group ISAIAH demanded "a just budget."

More than 230 clergy members have signed a letter calling on Dayton and legislators to "choose love, abundance and mercy." "This is not primarily a budget crisis," the letter continues. "It is a moral crisis."

SIGHTS UNSEEN

A couple dozen elderly men and women marched onto the steps, toting handwritten signs. Members of a tour group organized by Florida-based Grand Edventures, they had planned to tour the Capitol and the state History Center but found themselves locked out.

"So we decided on a spur-of-the moment protest," tour organizer Alice Verona said.

Among the signs: "We came to tour, open your doors."

BOB VON STERNBERG,

RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER