Lawyers take to stage
A Houston lawyers group hopes to pass the $1 million mark for local legal charities when it performs this year’s annual “Night Court” musical comedy through Aug. 22 at the Hobby Center.
The yearly spoof, written and performed by attorneys and judges, began decades ago as a project of the Houston Bar Association, then incorporated in 2014 as a nonprofit
tor, Judy Frow, who lives in Oak Forest.
“In more than 20 years, we have raised almost $1 million, so we will pass that mark if we sell out this year’s performances,” said Frow.
“It will sell out,” predicted attorney Brandon Barchus, who lives in Timbergrove Manor and heads a law firm near the Galleria.
Barchus meets himself coming and going when he holds court in the show, called “LawyerMania: A Hard Day’s Night.”
“I play Dr. Evil and Austin Powers — at the same time,” he said. “I play them in profile, so I have to be very cognizant of exactly which side of the stage I’m on, which other characters I’m speaking to and which voice I’m using. “I also have many conversations with myself.”
“LawyerMania: A Hard Day’s Night” features music of the Beatles, with new lyrics crafted mostly by Debra Baker. Baker changed the song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to “We’ll Market You a Brand,” with appearances by fictional advertising wizard Don Draper and other characters from TV’s “Mad Men.” Baker changed “Back in the U.S.S.R.” to “Back in the Texas State Bar,” which Barchus sings. He’s accompanied on trombone by his Timbergrove Manor neighbor, Peter Strenkowski. This year’s choreographer/producer, attorney Marty Thompson, made her entrance into the organization by stealing the show in 2012, climbing a 24-foot silk ribbon and spiraling back down as a highlight.