DuPage judges ready for a night of laughing — at themselves

Can judges take a joke? Of course, says the DuPage County Bar Association, which sets out once a year to prove it.

This year, that opportunity arrives Friday, Feb. 24, with the 37th annual theatrical production of Judges’ Nite - a satirical look at the 18th Judicial Circuit.

“It’s supposed to be sort of an opportunity to poke fun at the judiciary,” said Leslie Monahan, the association’s executive director. “We portray a lot of the judges with their idiosyncrasies and have fun with them.”

For weeks, about 50 attorneys, law clerks and other courthouse regulars have been preparing for the two-hour musical, written and performed entirely by local legal professionals. The event raises funds for DuPage Legal Aide, a bar association service for people who can’t afford to hire their own counsel.

Wheaton attorney and show director Kevin Millon didn’t want to spoil the fun by divulging too many details about this year’s show. But he said the six-act production has a “Going Viral” theme, in which local judges find themselves swarmed by national media personalities such as Dr. Drew Pinsky, Jane Velez Mitchell and Nancy Grace.

Performers, backed by the nine-piece Judges’ Nite Band, parody 16 popular tunes, including Rebecca Black’s YouTube hit “Friday,” which is “Trial Day” in the show.

“Everything we do is written kind of tongue-in-cheek,” said Millon, who’s participated on and off for more than 25 years. “The good thing is, it’s meant in fun and certainly isn’t a place to be mean or vindictive. If nothing else, it’s a good way for everybody to get together for an evening.”

This is the first year Judges’ Nite will be at the College of DuPage’s McAninch Arts Center rather than a banquet hall. Producer Angel Traub, a Lombard attorney, said about 75 percent of local judges typically attend.

Even though most cast members have little to no background in drama, they invest 80 to 100 hours of their time preparing to take the stage, Traub said. A crew of about 20 people work to keep the show moving behind the scenes.

“It’s pretty incredible. They put a lot into it,” she said. “The camaraderie is probably the best thing about it.”

Wheaton attorney Brent Christensen worked up three of the song parodies featured in this year’s production, and has been involved with the show on and off for about 10 years, including one as director.

He said he likes participating because the event benefits a good cause and helps build a spirit of community among bar association members.

“It shows we all have our jobs to do but, at the end of the day, we can have a good time, enjoy some fellowship together, poke fun at ourselves and go back at it Monday morning,” he said.

For judges, the night comes with a little mystery, as they wait to see who will be the butt of the next joke.

“I sense I’ll be a main target,” Chief Judge John Elsner said with a laugh.

“The judges realize it’s good-natured ribbing,” added Elsner, who was recently installed as the circuit’s highest-ranking jurist. “Of course, it’s always funnier when it’s directed at another judge.”

Judges’ Nite runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the college arts center, Fawell and Park boulevards in Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $80 or 10 for $700. For information, call (630) 653-7779 or visit www.dcba.org.

If you go

What: Judges Nite, an original musical satire by members of the DuPage County Bar Association

Why: Proceeds support DuPage Legal Aide, which provides legal services for those who can’t afford to hire counsel

When: 6 p.m. today

Where: College of DuPage McAninch Arts Center, Fawell and Park boulevards, Glen Ellyn

Tickets: $80; 10 for $700

Info: (630) 653-7779 or dcba.org