Today, Linhart is a multiyear Tommy Tune Award winner, theater director at Houston Christian High School and the new director of Night Court—an all-lawyer theater company that has been serving the Houston community for almost 30 years.
After the previous Night Court director of 25 years, Judy Frow, retired, Music Director and colleague Claudia Dyle encouraged Linhart to apply for the open position.
“The more I learned about [Night Court], the more I felt like I really wanted to be a part of it,” Linhart said. “Doing theater is just an amazing way to give back.”
Lawyers within Night Court perform annual musicals and donate the proceeds to local charities that provide free legal services to people in need. The 2023 beneficiaries include Lone Star Legal Aid Military Veterans Unit, Houston Volunteer Lawyers and Child Advocates, among others.
As of July 14, the company has surpassed its goal of raising $175,000, though guests can continue to make donations through Night Court’s website to help raise more funds.
Everyone in the company, except Linhart and Dyle, are lawyers, from the actors and performers to the backstage crew, including the scriptwriters, costumer and stage manager. That’s what makes Night Court special, according to Linhart.
“Everything they do, they give away,” Linhart said. “They're not in it to make money. Their goal is to give money to legal charities.”
This year, Night Court will present its sci-fi-themed musical, “The Law Files.” A parody of “The X-Files,” the show includes characters from “Stranger Things,” “Men In Black” and “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” The production will also feature music from the 1980s and 1990s, including hits from Beastie Boys and Eurythmics.
The company began preparing for the show July 5. With only six weeks between then and their first showing Aug. 16, company members must rehearse six days a week to learn the dialogue, songs and dances.
Scriptwriters in Night Court also find fun ways to incorporate sponsorships into the show, Linhart said. Commercials for businesses get written into the show, and the highest-paying donor will have a cameo in the performance.
Linhart said he wants viewers to be excited to watch the show, knowing these lawyers took time out of their busy schedules to help Houston.
“These lawyers are really good people,” Linhart said. “They're trying to help out our city, so come support them because you're helping yourself and your own community.”
As a bonus, lawyers who watch the show can earn two hours of continuing legal education ethics credits, since the show includes ethics and education verbiage, lessons and morals.
“The Law Files” will run from Aug. 16-19 at the Hobby Center. To donate, visit Night Court’s website at www.nightcourt.org.
