CBA Record November-December 2024

CBA Bar Show Enters its 2nd Century with Performances January 10-11 By Jay Schleppenbach, Writer and Performer, The Bar Show

T he CBA Bar Show celebrated its 100th edition in 2024 with a move to the newly refurbished Studebaker Theater, a highlight reel of its greatest hits, and a mix of new and returning faces on stage. Now, on January 10-11, 2025, the 101st Bar Show will go Bar to the Future parodying the Michael J. Fox 1980s classic. “We are thrilled to be returning to the Studebaker theater, with its comfortable seating, convenient bar service, and superior sound quality,” said Bar Show co-producer Carissa Meyer. “Last year’s anniversary show will be a tough act to follow, but we are up to the challenge!” With its all-CBA-member cast and writing team, the Bar Show is an unusual creature among local musical theater produc tions, to be sure. But director and music directors Marla Lam pert and Brad Macdonald are long-term industry professionals and supervise a world-class production team. And the power house vocalists, hilarious and surprising parodies of pop and the ater classics, and high-caliber dance and production values mean audiences of all backgrounds (with or without JDs!) will have an enjoyable evening. “I always want to reassure people that we’re not singing songs about the Federalist Papers or the dormant commerce clause,” said returning cast member Peter Hegel. “Last year our material covered Barbie, Elon Musk, and pickleball, in addition to politi cal humor.” The Bar Show writers, led by head writer David Miller, update and reshape the script right up through the day of the show to ensure it remains topical and fresh. But if one were to specu late what topics might still be on people’s minds come January

2025, it wouldn’t be outlandish to expect songs and jokes about the presidential election, the Chicago Bears, and, of course, Taylor Swift. This year’s show is expected to run for about 90 minutes in two evening performances (January 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.) and one matinee (January 11 at 2 p.m.) at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building at 410 South Michigan in Chicago. Tick ets will be available for purchase at www.fineartsbuilding.com/ studebaker. The Bar Show is also accepting sponsorships from local law firms, legal service providers, and others who want to support lawyers stepping outside of their legal comfort zones to entertain the Chicago community. Although all cast members contribute to defray production costs, inflation has hit theaters, sets, and costumes every bit as much as the bacon and eggs at your local grocery store. “We couldn’t do this show without the generous support of our sponsors, including Elrod Friedman LLP, Scott D. Pol lock & Associates, and Christopoulos Dickens,” said returning cast member Kellie Snyder. “We welcome sponsorships in any amount to keep this hundred-year tradition going!” To sponsor or donate to the Bar Show, please contact CBA Controller Mark Cellini at mcellini@chicagobar.org. Updates and additional information about the show can also be found at www.chicagobar.org/barshow. “We can’t wait to welcome our friends and colleagues into the Bar Show’s next century of music, dance, and laughter!” Meyer enthused. “But don’t worry, none of us are going to quit our day jobs.”

12 November/December 2024