Over The Lege premiered in September 2016 at The Institution Theater. Long-time Texas Capitol Staffer, Stephanie Chiarello, spent countless hours watching committee and floor debates wondering to herself how these Texas legislators could get away with their words and actions. It was simple – nobody is paying attention. Inspired by Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report, and The Carol Burnet Show, Chiarello created Over the Lege, the number one, and some say only, political satire show based solely on the Texas Legislature.
The show unites the expertise of legislative staffers, improv veterans, and comedic writers to bring you a political satire variety show exposing the shenanigans of the Texas Legislature. What better way to learn how to watch over the legislature than through songs, dances, sketches, and improv performances?
The Texas Legislature more than deserves its own satirical show, although as Creator Chiarello muses, “As the Legislature gets more absurd, the parody of it gets harder.”
The Texas Observer reported that “Over the Lege bounces like a ricocheting pinball between gravitas and whimsy” – which we take as a massive compliment.
Over The Lege has been at The Institution, the Rollins Theater at the Long Center, The Scottish Rite Theater, and one video season during COVID.
Premiered at The Institution Theatre in the fall of 2016 with 8 sold-out shows focusing on issues like immigration, guns, education, guns, women’s health, and guns.
Senator Kirk Watson * Senator Wendy Davis * Former Rep. Glen Maxey * Future Rep. Gina Hinojosa * Lobbyist Rene Lara * Journalist John Moritz * TFN ED Kathy Miller * Immigration Lawyer Jason Finkleman
Coat-tailing on the success of part 1, part 2 focused on things like hunting hogs from hot air balloons and the bathroom bill – OH, also guns.
Senator Kirk Watson * Representative Donna Howard * Representative Eddie Rodriguez * Author Sarah Bird * Journalist Ben Philpott * TDP’s Cliff Walker * Lobbyist Monty Exter
Over the Lege had two successful seasons on Austin Public Access TV.
Senator Kirk Watson * Journalist Ross Ramsey * Journalist John Moritz * Political Consultant Genevieve Van Cleve * Pollster James Henson * Advocate Heather Busby * And More
After we did number 1 we weren’t sure we were going to do number 2, but then the bathroom bill happened and we’re professionals.
We outgrew The Institution Theatre and moved into the prestigious Rollins Theatre at the Long Center.
Senator Kirk Watson * Senator Wendy Davis * Lt. Governor Candidate Mike Collier
Tough stuff this year – sexual harassment, gun control, and puppeteering. And we’re just talking about the legislature, not our sketches. And we returned to the Rollins Theater at the Long Center!
Rep. Sarah Davis * Former Senator Wendy Davis * Lobbyist Monty Exter * Rep. Celia Israel * Speaker Pro-Tem Joe Moody * Senator Kirk Watson