‘Court’ Lampoons the Legal System

Here’s one court where the claims are really small.

The improvisation troupe ComedySportz is back with “ComedyCourt,” a late-night legal lampoon poking fun at our seemingly boundless appetite for trivial, pointless or downright idiotic litigation.

The troupe selects real-life plaintiffs who are pressing absurd cases and have agreed to appear before this kangaroo court just for laughs. On review night at the Tamarind Theatre, a woman was suing her husband for making a big mess in the kitchen. Improv comics served as judge and counsel, while audience members were tapped for the jury. “It is your civic duty,” the program chided.

With this kind of set-up, some inspired clowning is all but guaranteed. Troupe member Frank Maciel courted viewers with an overzealous defense attorney who could put Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. to shame. Pointing an accusing finger at the plaintiff, the deadpan Maciel urged jurors to “find this woman guilty . . . of something.”

“ComedyCourt” would probably seem funnier if the legal system didn’t already do such a consistently good job of self-parody. And let’s face it: Sometimes the courtroom process, with its relentless rounds of cross-examination and redirect, is so dull it defies humor. ComedySportz leader James Thomas Bailey and company struggle to keep things moving as their mock trial drags on.

Objections aside, though, “ComedyCourt” probably beats being sequestered.

* “ComedyCourt,” Tamarind Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood. Fridays, 10:30 p.m. Ends June 23. $7.50-$9. (213) 856-4796. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.