Starting the Quarter on a High Note
For some students, the start of Winter Quarter at Chicago Law means it's almost time to take the stage.
No tradition is better loved by students, and graciously tolerated by faculty, than the annual Law School Musical, an entirely student-produced event that is in its 26th year.
Performances for this year's musical will be on Feb. 19-20. Advace tickets can be purchased in the Green Lounge, and tickets will also be sold at the door on the nights of the event.
The bar is set high for humor, however, the benchmark for talent is a different story. Law School Musical organizers had this advice for potential auditioners:
"You will stand up, say something, and then sing a little song. It can be ANYTHING. If you can't think of anything, try 'Happy Birthday' or 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.' And if you are terrible, that's fine!"
The musical has its roots in faculty spoofs held during the Law School's founding years, and took its current form in the early 1980s. Participation has grown tremendously over the years. The first production, Lawyers in Love, involved 20 students; last year's show featured 65.
Planning for the musical begins in Fall Quarter by those who serve on a student organization dedicated to the event. Students form a stage crew to build the set and scavenge for props, and they put together an orchestra to provide the backing music. Tunes are cribbed from Broadway musicals or popular hits, such as last year's song "Here We Are Again" set to the tune of Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again." But all lyrics are original, written in comedic homage to the Law School's faculty and staff or as a parody of everyday life at the Law School.
Don't mistake the event for a variety show. The musical has two acts and follows an actual plot. Last year's musical was based on a real event: Saul Levmore's announcement that he was leaving his post as Dean of the Law School. Two years ago, the Law School was treated to a Borat-inspired performance entitled "The Musical: Cultural Learnings of University of Chicago for the Make Benefit Glorious Lives of Law Students."
Faculty members have been known to make special cameo appearances in the musical, and their roles are kept secret until the musical's opening night performance. A special appearance was made last year by Professor Richard McAdams, playing the role of his fictional twin brother, Bob. More often, the faculty sees student parodies of themselves on stage. Students work hard (and are surprisingly accurate) at mimicking their favorite professors' mannerisms and distinctive styles.
Performances are held at the International House across the Midway, and the auditorium is often filled to its capacity. Why is the event so beloved? The Musical provides a bonding experience, a chance for students to share laughs over a common experience that will be the source of endless reminiscing.
Photos of past musicals, including from its inaugural year and the most recent years, can be found on the Law School Facebook page.