Houston’s Own Night Court Brings Unexpected Legal Hilarity

When Your Lawyer Starts Rapping, Court is In

By Catarina Williams // Aug 14, 2017

Photography John Wilson Photography

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Director Judy Frow, who is the artistic director of FROWbiz theatre company, oversees a rehearsal practice.

Lawyers, judges and local business professionals alike practice for the show.

Pianist Thanushka Bandara shares a laugh at his keyboard.

Flutist Apriél Powell-Martin in action.

Randall Kallinen, Civil Rights attorney and artist, in front of his gallery, law office, and home, Kallinen Contemporary. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea)

If you think reruns of the 1980s Night Court TV series are funny, just wait till you get a load of Houston’s own Night Court.

Promoted as “Houston’s All-Lawyer Charity Show,” this Night Court features rapping, dancing and singing litigators. Its latest show? Con Law – From the Beginning, a whimsical take on the history of the U.S. Constitution that takes over the Hobby Center stage this week.

The play, put on completely by real lawyers, Harris County judges, and business professionals, features homages to familiar songs from artists such as Amy Winehouse, DNCE, and Pat Benatar.

In its 25 years of existence, Houston’s Night Court has contributed more than a million dollars to organizations such as Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military Veterans Unit and Houston Women’s Shelter. Ticket sales from Con Law will benefit charities such as Children’s Court Services Program, Family Intervention’s Infant Toddler Court, South Texas College of Law Houston Legal Clinics and Child Advocates among others.

But the proceeds aren’t just donated to good causes. This is a teaching comedy too. Any legal professional can earn two hours of CLE ethics credits for sitting in the audience. Now, that’s going to school.

Con Law – From the Beginning premieres at the Hobby Center on Wednesday, August 16, and runs through Saturday, August 19.

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Still yearning for more fun with the law? Kallinen Contemporary presents the cleverly titled exhibition, Law & Artyer. Named in tribute to TV’s longest-running crime drama, the show takes place at artist and civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen’s unique law office, art gallery and studio home.

A committee comprised of elected officials and art-loving Houstonians including Dick DeGuerin, PaperCity‘s own Catherine Anspon, and district attorney Kim Ogg will jury the six-week exhibition. Viewing of the exhibition is by appointment only.

Kallinen Contemporary’s Law & Artyer is holding its opening on October 7 from 7 to 10 pm.