The law in Lake County — or at least the legal profession in general — is up for its bi-annual ribbing when the Lake County Bar Association Gridiron Show returns for more musical-comedy funny business.
This year’s show, entitled “Bar Wars” to capitalize on a certain recent mega-popular Hollywood release, will be performed Feb. 19 and 20 at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest.
“We just thought it would make a good title, given the timing,” said LCBA Executive Director Christopher Boadt. “There’s no war going on in the Lake County legal community. At least, not that we know of.”
The all-volunteer shows have been taking place in Lake County since the first was staged in 1941 at the Glen Flora Country Club in Waukegan. And that’s no surprise, Boadt says.
“Lawyers, especially litigators, often have to put on a performance of a sort when they’re in court,” he explained. “The profession frequently attracts people who are very talented, in addition to being persuasive.”
The Gridiron Shows, however, have a tradition of being relatively gentle while dispensing satire.
“It’s not mean-spirited,” said Boadt, who noted that one sketch this year was dropped, with unanimous approval, when it began to seem it might be potentially offensive. “That’s not the point of this show. It’s not meant to upset people or take jabs at them unless it’s all in good fun.”
“Bar Wars,” like all Gridiron Shows, will be staged in a style similar to Second City revues, with a series of sketches and blackouts including roughly a quarter with some form of musical accompaniment. A quartet of singers will perform four songs, spaced throughout the evening, with parody lyrics attached to karaoke versions of familiar songs like Adele’s “Hello.” And all of the roughly 30 cast members will join in, chorus-style, whenever a sketch calls for a tune.
Boadt said there were 10 sketches in this year’s show, the last time he counted, including: “Bar Association Family Feud,” in which younger members of the LCBA face off against veteran members, emphasizing what millennials consider a hard workday compared to their older comrades.
Then “Waukegan’s Fashion Jury” will make “Project Runway”-style fun of certain judges known for dressing in a highly individualistic manner.
“Tombstone,” substituting Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran for Wyatt Earp is a parody of the prelude to the 1993 movie’s climactic scene in which the sheriff announces “I’m comin’ and hell’s comin’ with me” — only with a summons by the county commissioner in mind instead of a showdown with outlaw Ike Clanton.
A few outside elements, such as the 2016 presidential race, make occasional appearances but the show is almost entirely specific to the Lake County legal community, for whom it is written and staged. And all within in a very short time, Boadt pointed out, marveling.
“The whole show is being put up in about six weeks with only 10 rehearsals,” he said. “So, the performers really have to make their best effort. They really enjoy putting on the show, though, and that always comes through, and helps make it a good time for everyone.”
Contact: (847) 244-3143 or www.lakebar.org
‘Bar Wars,’ the Lake County Bar Association Gridiron Show
Where: Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and 20
Tickets: Admission is $39. Doors open at 6:30 for a beer and wine reception.
