The Law School Musical: A Tradition of Parody, Community, and Fun

The Law School Musical is exactly what it sounds like—but it’s also a lot more. Each spring, the student- written and produced musical lampoons life at UChicago Law through original scripts and parody songs set to familiar tunes. 

No one is immune from parody: professors, administrators, law school rituals, and student archetypes all make appearances in each themed show. They’re often reimagined as superheroes, fairy-tale characters, or Broadway-style leads. 

This year, the 2026 show will be Chilllton—a nod to Law School Dean Adam Chilton and the 2013 Disney movie Frozen— playing on April 9 and 10.

The parody element is one of the things that makes the Law School Musical a well-loved tradition, said William Hubbard, ’00, the Clifton R. Musser Professor of Law and deputy dean. Hubbard hasn’t just experienced the show as a faculty member; he’s starred in productions as a student.

“Like most students, I revered my professors but also was intimidated by them,” recalled Hubbard, a Law School alum. “The musical was a special moment when roles were reversed, and the professors had to worry about what we thought of them.”

Last year’s production, The Legal Mermaid, featured a main character based on Hubbard— who admitted that he loved seeing himself spoofed. 

“Watching that performance was definitely one of the highlights of my year,” he said.

A Decades-Long Tradition

The roots of the Law School Musical stretch back to 1984, when students staged Lawyers in Love, the first musical of its kind at the Law School. While the early productions weren’t yet branded as “Law School Musical,” the tradition quickly gained momentum. By the late 1980s, the show had become a recognizable annual event–blending humor, pop culture, and legal life. 

Over the years, the shows have mirrored their cultural moments. Early productions leaned more heavily on original music, while later iterations embraced remix-style parody—think “Weird Al” with a Bluebook citation. Titles like Return of the J.D. (1985), A Corpus Line (1993), South Side Story(1996), and Law School: Impossible (2000) showcase a long-running tradition of clever wordplay and ambitious references. 

“[The musical] is a reminder that who students are in the classroom is just one slice of their whole person, and they have so many gifts that we almost never get to see,” Hubbard reflected. “The singing, the dancing, the writing, the jokes, the acting, the (occasional) stunts, the live band—it’s so much fun to watch.”

A Student-Run Show

Auditions for the 2026 musical were held in January, but members of the Law School Musical student organization have been hard at work on the production since the fall. That’s when the script writing begins each year. 

The students running the show typically includes a leadership team of writers, directors, producers, dance choreographers, and even student musicians who make up the live band. And of course, the actors. So the people on stage are only a small part of the production. And students who don’t want to be in the spotlight can have roles behind the curtain. 

Kaitryana Leinbach, ’26, a co-producer and assistant choreographer in the upcoming show, knew she wanted to join the Law School Musical as soon as she stepped onto campus as a 1L. A former dancer and self-described “lifelong musical theatre appreciator,” Leinbach stepped into her leadership role this year after being a member of last year’s production.

“Last year rehearsals brought me closer to classmates I already knew and helped me build friendships with people I might not have met otherwise,” she shared. “The musical gave me a creative, joyful space in the middle of a demanding year, and I hope to similarly cultivate that space for others [in my new role].” 

Leah Cussen, ‘26, Leinbach’s co-producer, hopes other Law School students feel inspired to get involved following this year’s performance.

“I hope that audience members see not only how much work goes into our show each year, but also how much fun we have doing it,” Cussen shared. “If they aren’t graduating this spring, I hope they feel inspired to join the show next year–whether that’s on stage performing, in the band, or in any of the roles behind the curtains.”

Community and Fun for All

With some past performances drawing nearly 600 attendees over the two day run, the musical is far from a niche event—it’s a beloved tradition within the Law School community.

“I love seeing how talented our students are outside the classroom,” said Associate Dean Ann Killian Perry, who made a special staff cameo appearance in the 2025 show. “It is such a fun evening to see the whole Law School community enjoy the musical.”

According to past participants, the production also builds connections that last well beyond opening night.

“Whether you’re a student, professor, staff member, alum, family member, or friend, there is something in it for you,” Leinbach added. “If people walk out smiling, not just because it was funny, but because it sparked a conversation or made them feel a little more part of things—I’ll consider that a success.”