2011
Joseph Jefferson awards
At the Drury Lane Theatre
By Dan Zeff
Oakbrook Terrace – A pair of large-scale historical works set in the turbulent 1700’s in Europe were the big winners at the 2011 Joseph Jefferson Awards ceremony at the Drury Lane Theatre Monday night. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater staging of “The Madness of George III” was named best production of a play in a large theater. The Goodman Theatre presentation of “Candide” won the best musical production in a large theater honor.
Both shows collected plenty of complementary Jeff awards. “Candide” also picked up trophies for principal actor in a musical (Geoff Packard), best supporting actor in a musical (Larry Yando), best supporting actress in a musical (Hollis Resnik), and best new adaptation of a play or musical (Mary Zimmerman).
“The Madness of George III” took best direction of a play (Penny Metropulos), best principal actor in a play (Harry Groener), best costume design for a large theater (Susan E. Mickey), and artistic specialization (Melissa Veal, for her wig and makeup design).
The Remy Bumppo Theatre was rewarded for taking on Edward Albee’s controversial “The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?) with the best production of a play in a midsize theater and best principal actress in a play (Annabel Armour).
Jeffs were presented in more than 40 categories, most divided into large and midsized theater categories. The evening’s most popular winner was the 87-year old Mike Nussbaum, who received the best supporting actor in a play award for his performance in “Broadway Bound” at the Drury Lane Theatre. Perhaps the most passionate acceptance speech came from Charles Newell, who won the best director in a musical award for “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” at the Court Theatre.
The Jeff Awards Committee judged 130 productions by 52 companies that opened from Aug. 1, 2010, to July 31, 2011. Culled from these openings were 100 Equity productions labeled “Jeff Recommended” and thus eligible for award nominations.
Below is a complete list of the 2011 Jeff Equity Award winners:
PRODUCTION, PLAY (LARGE): “The Madness of George III,” Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
PRODUCTION, PLAY (MIDSIZE): “Edward Albee’s The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?,” Remy Bumppo Theatre Company.
PRODUCTION, MUSICAL (LARGE): “Candide” (Goodman Theatre and Shakespeare Theatre Company of Washington, D.C.)
PRODUCTION, MUSICAL (MIDSIZE): “The Original Grease,” American Theater Company.
PRODUCTION, REVUE: “Sky’s the Limit (Weather Permitting),” The Second City e.t.c.
DIRECTOR, PLAY: Penny Metropulos, “The Madness of George III.”
DIRECTOR, MUSICAL: Charles Newell, “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” (Court Theatre).
ENSEMBLE: “The Big Meal,” American Theater Company.
PRINCIPAL ACTOR, PLAY: Harry Groener, “The Madness of George III.”
PRINCIPAL ACTOR, MUSICAL: Geoff Packard, “Candide.”
PRINCIPAL ACTRESS, PLAY: Annabel Armour, “Edward Albee’s The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?”
PRINCIPAL ACTRESS, MUSICAL: Jessie Mueller, “She Loves Me”(Writers’ Theatre).
ACTOR OR ACTRESS, REVUE: Tim Baltz, “Sky’s the Limit (Weather Permitting).”
SOLO PERFORMANCE: Barbara Robertson, “The Detective’s Wife” (Writers’ Theatre).
SUPPORTING ACTOR, PLAY: Mike Nussbaum, “Broadway Bound” (Drury Lane Productions).
SUPPORTING ACTOR, MUSICAL: Larry Yando, “Candide.”
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, PLAY: Diana Simonzadeh, “Scorched” (Silk Road Theatre Project).
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, MUSICAL: Hollis Resnik, “Candide.”
NEW WORK, PLAY: (tie) Bruce Graham, “The Outgoing Tide” (Northlight Theatre), and David Henry Hwang,“Chinglish” (Goodman Theatre).
NEW WORK, MUSICAL OR REVUE: (Tie) Tim Baltz, Aidy Bryant, Jesse Case, Matt Hovde, Brendan Jennings, Jessica Joy, Michael Lehrer and Mary Sohn, “Sky’s the Limit (Weather Permitting)” and Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, “Murder for Two — A Killer Musical” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater).
NEW ADAPTATION, PLAY OR MUSICAL: Mary Zimmerman, “Candide.”
CHOREOGRAPHY: Tammy Mader, “42nd Street” (Marriott Theatre).
ORIGINAL INCIDENTAL MUSIC: Andrew Hansen, “To Master the Art”(TimeLine Theatre Company).
MUSIC DIRECTION: Doug Peck, “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.”
SCENIC DESIGN (LARGE): David Korins, “Chinglish.”
SCENIC DESIGN (MIDSIZE): Collette Pollard, “The Front Page”(TimeLine Theatre Company).
LIGHTING DESIGN (LARGE): Jason Lyons, “White Noise” (at the Royal George Theatre).
LIGHTING DESIGN (MIDSIZE): Sarah Hughey, “Scorched.”
COSTUME DESIGN (LARGE): Susan E. Mickey, “The Madness of George III.”
COSTUME DESIGN (MIDSIZE): Bill Morey, “The King and I” (Porchlight Music Theatre).
SOUND DESIGN (LARGE): Mikhail Fiksel, “Travels with My Aunt”(Writers’ Theatre).
SOUND DESIGN (MIDSIZE): Peter J. Storms, “Scorched.”
FIGHT/MOVEMENT DIRECTION: Rick Sordelet, “Romeo and Juliet”(Chicago Shakespeare Theater).
PROJECTIONS/VIDEO DESIGN: John Boesche, “A Twist of Water”(Route 66 Theatre Company), and Mike Tutaj, “In Darfur” (TimeLine Theatre Company).
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION: Tracy Otwell (Toy Theatre Design for“The Last Act of Lilka Kadison” at Lookingglass Theatre Company) and Melissa Veal (Wig and Makeup Design for “The Madness of George III”).
SPECIAL AWARD: Hedy Weiss, theater critic, Chicago Sun-Times.
TRIBUTE AWARD: Kathryn V. Lamkey, recently retired executive director/central regional director of Actors Equity Association.
Contact Dan at zeffdaniel@yahoo.com Nov./2011
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2010 Jeff Awards
At the Drury Lane Theatre
By Dan Zeff
Oakbrook Terrace – If anyone doubted the diversity of Chicagoland theater, consider the 2010 Joseph Jefferson awards. The big winners were a play about Puerto Rican wrestlers in New York City, a sophisticated Noel Coward cabaret revue, and a musical about American society at the turn of the last century.
As expected, the big winner was “Ragtime” at the Drury Lane Theatre. This magical revival won seven Jeff awards, including best musical production in a large theater. “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” dominated the straight play honors with five Jeffs, including best production of a play by a large theater. The drama about wrestling, among a lot of other things, was a product of the Victory Gardens Theatre Ignition series and went on to a New York City run. The Noel Coward celebration “Oh, Coward! ran for six months at the Writers’ Theatre in Glencoe and took three Jeffs, topped by best production of a revue. The “Brother/Sister Plays” at the Steppenwolf Theatre won the best ensemble award sponsored by Actors’ Equity for its mostly all-black cast telling multiple stories about African-American life in the deep South.
The Jeff committee judged 111 Equity productions from 42 companies in the season that ended July 31. A total of 88 productions were recommended by opening night judges and became eligible for nominations.
Several of the categories were exceptionally competitive. The TimeLine Theatre production of “The Farnsworth Invention” won out over a deep field as best play in a midsize theater. The actress in a principal role in a play went to Natasha Lowe for her striking Blanche in the Writers’ Theatre staging of “A Streetcar Named Desire” but any of the actresses nominated would have been a worthy winner. And so it went, a testimony to the depth of the Chicagoland pool of theater artists.
The awards program drew a large crowd from the area theater committee to the Drury Lane Theatre. The presentation went off smoothly in contrast to last year’s glitch-filled ceremony. Felicia Fields kept the audience loose with her wry humor as co-hostess (with Deanna Dunagan). The acceptance speeches generally were entertaining, sincere, and often passionate. The audience was treated to both live and filmed snippets from nominated musicals and plays, highlighted by a hilarious satirical bit from the Second City company. Director Michael Weber and producer Diane Hires deserve high marks for the professionalism and creativity of the event.
Here is the complete list of Jeff Equity Award recipients
PRODUCTION – PLAY – LARGE
“The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater in association with Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View
PRODUCTION – PLAY – MIDSIZE
“The Farnsworth Invention” – TimeLine Theatre Company
PRODUCTION – MUSICAL – LARGE
“Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions
PRODUCTION – REVUE
“Oh Coward!” – Writers’ Theatre
ENSEMBLE (sponsored by Actors’ Equity Association)
“The Brother/Sister Plays” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company
DIRECTOR – PLAY
Edward Torres – “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater in association with Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View
DIRECTOR – MUSICAL
Rachel Rockwell – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions
SOLO PERFORMANCE
Mary Beth Fisher – “The Year of Magical Thinking” – Court Theatre
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Desmin Borges – “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” - Victory Gardens Theater in association with Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - MUSICAL
Quentin Earl Darrington – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Natasha Lowe – “A Streetcar Named Desire” – Writers’ Theatre
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
Cory Goodrich – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
Francis Guinan – “A Guide for the Perplexed” – Victory Gardens Theater
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL
Mark David Kaplan – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
Natalie West – “Abigail’s Party” – A Red Orchid Theatre
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL
Valisia LeKae – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions
ACTOR IN A REVUE
Rob Lindley – “Oh Coward!” – Writers’ Theatre
ACTRESS IN A REVUE
Kate Fry – “Oh Coward!” – Writers’ Theatre
SCENIC DESIGN – LARGE
Walt Spangler – “A True History of the Johnstown Flood” – Goodman Theatre
SCENIC DESIGN – MIDSIZE
James Leaming – “Tobacco Road” – American Blues Theater
COSTUME DESIGN – LARGE
Alison Siple – “The Mystery of Irma Vep” – Court Theatre
COSTUME DESIGN – MIDSIZE
Sarah E. Ross & Kristin DeiTos – “Tobacco Road” – American Blues Theater
LIGHTING DESIGN - LARGE
John Culbert – “The Illusion” – Court Theatre
LIGHTING DESIGN - MIDSIZE
Jaymi Lee Smith – “Mary’s Wedding” – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
SOUND DESIGN - LARGE
Ray Nardelli – “Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale” – Lookingglass Theatre Company and Silverguy Entertainment
SOUND DESIGN - MIDSIZE
Victoria DeIorio – “Mary’s Wedding” – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
CHOREOGRAPHY
Tammy Mader – “Thoroughly Modern Millie” – Drury Lane Productions
ORIGINAL INCIDENTAL MUSIC
Ray Nardelli, Andre Pluess, Joshua Horvath, and Kevin O’Donnell – “Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale” – Lookingglass Theatre Company and Silverguy Entertainment
MUSIC DIRECTION
Roberta Duchak – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions
NEW WORK – PLAY
Kristoffer Diaz - “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater in association with Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View
Multimedia Design
Bridges Media – “Trust” – Lookingglass Theatre Company
Fight Choreography
David Woolley – “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater in association with Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View
Contact Dan Zeff at zeffdaniel@yahoo.com
Visit Dan on Facebook
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Jeff Non-Equity Awards, 2010
At Park West
By Dan Zeff
CHICAGO—A lot of “Chess” was played at the 37th annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards Monday night at Park West. The Theo Ubique revival virtually swept the musical category honors, receiving seven awards, including production, director (Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier), actor in a principal role (Courtney Crouse), actor in a supporting role (John B. Leen), and actress in a principal role (Maggie Portman).
The Profiles Theatre’s scorching revival of “Killer Joe” led the play awards with three—production, actor in a principal role (Darrell W. Cox), and director (Rick Snyder). The Profiles took a fourth award with Ellen Fairey sharing the new work prize for “Graceland” with Michael Rohd and Phillip Klapperich of the House Theatre, who won for “Wilson Wants It All.”
The Jeff statistics demonstrate the ongoing vitality of the non-equity theater scene, often informally called storefronts or black box theaters. The Jeff committee judged 116 productions from 55 theaters. Those productions resulted in 105 nominations from 26 theater companies in 24 categories. At Park West 28 awards were passed out, the extras coming from ties. The Circle Theatre in Forest Park also won a special award for its contributions to the area theater scene over its 25-year history.
The annual Equity Awards will be presented by the Jeff committee on October 25 at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace.
Here is the complete list of Non-Equity awards:
PRODUCTION - PLAY
“Killer Joe” - Profiles Theatre
PRODUCTION - MUSICAL
“Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James
DIRECTOR - PLAY
Rick Snyder - “Killer Joe” - Profiles Theatre
DIRECTOR - MUSICAL
Fred Anzevino & Brenda Didier - “Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
ENSEMBLE
“Twelve Angry Men” - Raven Theatre
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - PLAY
Darrell W. Cox - “Killer Joe” - Profiles Theatre
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - MUSICAL
Courtney Crouse –“Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Kendra Thulin - “Harper Regan” - Steep Theatre Company
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - MUSICAL
Maggie Portman - “Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - PLAY
Peter Oyloe - “The Pillowman” - Redtwist Theatre
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - MUSICAL
John B. Leen –“Chess ” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTNG ROLE - PLAY
Nancy Friedrich - “The Crucible” - Infamous Commonwealth Theatre
Vanessa Greenway - “The Night Season” - Vitalist Theatre i/a/w Premiere Theatre & Performance
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL OR REVUE
Kate Garassino - “Bombs Away! ” - Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
NEW WORK
Ellen Fairey - “Graceland” - Profiles Theatre
Michael Rohd & Phillip C. Klapperich - “Wilson Wants It All” - The House Theatre of Chicago
NEW ADAPTATION
Frances Limoncelli - “Busman’s Honeymoon” - Lifeline Theatre
CHOREOGRAPHY
Brenda Didier - “Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
ORIGINAL INCIDENTAL MUSIC
Trevor Watkin - “The Black Duckling” - Dream Theatre Company
MUSIC DIRECTION
Ryan Brewster –“Chess” - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
SCENIC DESIGN
John Zuiker - “I Am My Own Wife” - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
LIGHTING DESIGN
Sean Mallary - “St. Crispin’s Day” - Strawdog Theatre Company
COSTUME DESIGN
Theresa Ham - “The Glorious Ones” - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Joanna Melville - “St. Crispin’s Day” - Strawdog Theatre Company
SOUND DESIGN
Miles Polaski - “Mouse in a Jar” - Red Tape Theatre
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
Lucas Merino - Video Design - “Wilson Wants It All” - The House Theatre of Chicago
James T. Scott - Puppets - “Evolution/Creation” - Quest Theatre Ensemble
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
Geoff Coates - “Treasure Island” - Lifeline Theatre
SPECIAL AWARD
Circle Theatre June 2010
Contact Dan: Zeffdaniel@Yahoo.com
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2009 Jeff Awards
At the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
By Dan Zeff
SKOKIE—“The History Boys” made a little more history Monday night at the Jeff Awards ceremony at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. The TimeLine production closed its record-breaking six-month run on Sunday. The next night it led the Jeff honors parade with five awards, winning in every category in which it was nominated, including best production in a midsize theater. Alex Weisman won the Jeff for best supporting actor, one of the most popular choices of the evening.
The other big winners in the festivities were “Ruined” by the Goodman Theatre, which tied for best production in a large theater and Saidah Arrika Ekulona (best actress in a play), and “Caroline, or Change” from the Court Theatre, which was named best musical in a large theater and also earned Jeffs for E. Faye Butler (actress in a principal role, musical) and Charles Newell (director, musical).
The awards ceremony was its usual ramshackle affair, loaded with technical and human glitches, but the screw-ups in the presentation ceremony have become a kind of endearing tradition at the Jeffs. Most of the acceptance speeches were the usual litany of names the winner thanked, but there were a few welcome departures. Second City performer Amanda Blake Davis nearly went berserk with glee after being named best actress in a revue. Nick Bowling and Charles Newell both gave moving and impassioned acceptance speeches as the winner of the best director award for “The History Boys” and “Caroline, or Change.”
SecondCity was honored on its 50th anniversary and elevated the proceedings with a series of scenes that demonstrated what a comedy and satirical treasure this company has been during its five decades. E. Faye Butler brought down the house with her explosive rendition of a song from “Caroline, or Change.” William Pullinsi was honored with a special achievement award for his 50 years in Chicagoland theater, in which he likely employed more actors than any other producer/director in local theater history.
The Jeffs committee passed out awards in 35 categories, some of them exceptionally competitive. Any of the nine nominees for best director for a play could have won, wih honor, once again showing the depth of the Chicagoland theater scene.
The complete list of Jeff awards follows:
ODUCTION - PLAY - LARGE (Tie)
“Ruined” - Goodman Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club
“The Seafarer” - Steppenwolf Theatre Company
PRODUCTION - PLAY - MIDSIZE
“The History Boys” - TimeLine Theatre Company
PRODUCTION - MUSICAL - LARGE
“Caroline, or Change” - Court Theatre
PRODUCTION - MUSICAL - MIDSIZE
“Tomorrow Morning” - Hillary A. Williams, LLC
PRODUCTION - REVUE
“Studs Terkel's Not Working” - The Second City e.t.c.
ENSEMBLE
“The History Boys” - TimeLine Theatre Company
DIRECTOR - PLAY
Nick Bowling - “The History Boys” - TimeLine Theatre Company
DIRECTOR - MUSICAL
Charles Newell - “Caroline, or Change” - Court Theatre
DIRECTOR - REVUE
Matt Hovde - “Studs Terkel's Not Working” - The Second City e.t.c.
SOLO PERFORMANCE
Max McLean - “Mark's Gospel” - Fellowship for the Performing Arts
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - PLAY (Tie)
William L. Petersen - “Blackbird” - Victory Gardens Theater
Larry Neumann, Jr. - “A Moon for the Misbegotten” - First Folio Theatre
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - MUSICAL
Joseph Anthony Foronda - “Miss Saigon” - Drury Lane Oakbrook
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - PLAY
Saidah Arrika Ekulona - “Ruined” - Goodman Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - MUSICAL
E. Faye Butler - “Caroline, or Change” - Court Theatre
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - PLAY
Alex Weisman - “The History Boys” - TimeLine Theatre Company
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - MUSICAL
Max Quinlan - “The Light in the Piazza” - Marriott Theatre
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - PLAY
Spencer Kayden - “Don't Dress for Dinner” - The British Stage Company
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - MUSICAL (Tie)
Liz Baltes - “A Minister's Wife”- Writers' Theatre
Summer Smart - “The Light in the Piazza” - Marriott Theatre
ACTOR IN A REVUE
Mark David Kaplan - “Forbidden Broadway: Dances with the Stars” - John Freedson, Harriet Yellin, & Margaret Cotter
ACTRESS IN A REVUE
Amanda Blake Davis - “Studs Terkel's Not Working” - The Second City e.t.c.
SCENIC DESIGN - LARGE
Lucy Osborne - “Twelfth Night” - Chicago Shakespeare Theater
SCENIC DESIGN - MIDSIZE
Brian Sidney Bembridge - “The History Boys” - TimeLine Theatre Company
COSTUME DESIGN - LARGE
Mara Blumenfeld - “The Arabian Nights” - Lookingglass Theatre Company
COSTUME DESIGN - MIDSIZE
Rachel Laritz - “The Voysey Inheritance” - Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
LIGHTING DESIGN - LARGE
Christopher Akerlind - Rock 'n' Roll - Goodman Theatre
LIGHTING DESIGN - MIDSIZE
Jesse Klug - “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” - American Theater Company
SOUND DESIGN - LARGE
Ray Nardelli and Joshua Horvath - “Miss Saigon” - Drury Lane Oakbrook
SOUND DESIGN - MIDSIZE
Lindsay Jones - “The K of D: An Urban Legend” - The Route 66 Theatre Company
CHOREOGRAPHY
David H. Bell - “The Boys from Syracuse” - Drury Lane Oakbrook
ORIGINAL INCIDENTAL MUSIC
Dominic Kanza - “Ruined” - Goodman Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club
MUSIC DIRECTION
Doug Peck - “Caroline, or Change” - Court Theatre
NEW ADAPTATION - PLAY
Seth Bockley - “Jon”– Collaboraction
NEW WORK - PLAY
Lynn Nottage - “Ruined” - Goodman Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club
NEW ADAPTATION - MUSICAL
Josh Schmidt, Jan Tranen and Austin Pendleton - “A Minister's Wife” - Writers' Theatre
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Steve Tolin - “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” - Northlight Theatre
VIDEO DESIGN
Mike Tutaj - “Tomorrow Morning” - Hillary A. Williams, LLC
TRIBUTE AWARD
The Second City - 50th Anniversary
SPECIAL AWARD - OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT - 50 YEARS IN THEATRE
William Pullinsi - Director and Producer - Outstanding Achievement - 50 Years in Theatre
For more information contact Dan zeffdaniel@yahoo.com
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2008 Joseph Jefferson awards
By Dan Zeff
SKOKIE—The classical and the new both had their evening at the fortieth annual Joseph Jefferson awards that celebrate theater excellence in Chicagoland for the past season. Shakespeare in modernized versions was a big winner and so was an edgy two-character police drama that premiered in a small theater and became one of the most highly praised new plays in recent local theater history.
The awards ceremony was held at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. The Jeff committee handed out 37 awards selected from 150 nominees. Those nominees in turn were selected from 123 Equity productions presented by 52 producing organizations. For the first time, a two-tier system was in stalled in seven award categories for large and midsize theaters, the separation based on theater budgets.
The Chicago Shakespeare Theater won four Jeffs for its updated staging of “The Comedy of Errors,” trophies going to the theater for best production by a large theater and to director Barbara Gaines, as well as for best costume and outstanding new adaptation. The CST won a Jeff for its hip hop version of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” revamped to “Funk It Up About Nothin’.”
The Chicago Dramatists’ searing production of “A Steady Rain” predictably won a Jeff as outstanding play in a midsize theater, along with Jeffs to playwright Keith Huff for outstanding new work and Randy Steinmeyer as outstanding actor in a principal role.
The Marriott Theatre was justly rewarded for its stirring production of “Les Misérables” with four awards—best production of a musical in a large theater, outstanding director (Dominic Missimi), best actor in a principal role (John Cudia), and best actor in a supporting role (Richard Todd Adams).
Another big winner was “Ella” at the Northlight Theatre. This virtually one-woman show about jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald took home Jeffs for production revue, revue director (Rob Ruggiero), and best actress in a revue (E. Faye Butler). The Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre captured three awards for outstanding director (Jim Corti in a tie with Dominic Missimi), outstanding principal actress (Summer Naomi Smart), and outstanding choreography (Mitzi Hamilton).
Below is the complete list of Jeff Equity Award recipients
Production - Play – Large
“The Comedy of Errors,” Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Production - Play – Midsize
“A Steady Rain,” Chicago Dramatists
Production - Musical – Large
“Les Misérables,” Marriott Theatre
Production - Musical – Midsize
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Production – Revue
“Ella,” Northlight Theatre
Ensemble
“Funk It Up About Nothin'”
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Director – Play
Barbara Gaines, “The Comedy of Errors,” Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Director – Musical (2)
Jim Corti, “Sweet Charity,” Drury Lane Oakbrook
Dominic Missimi, “Les Misérables,” Marriott Theatre
Director – Revue
Rob Ruggiero, “Ella,” Northlight Theatre
New Work
Keith Huff, “A Steady Rain,” Chicago Dramatists
New Adaptation
Ron West, “The Comedy of Errors,” Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Solo Performance
Nilaja Sun, “No Child…,” Lookingglass Theatre Company
Actor in a Principal Role – Play
Randy Steinmeyer, “A Steady Rain,” Chicago Dramatists
Actor in a Principal Role – Musical
John Cudia, “Les Misérables,” Marriott Theatre
Actress in a Principal Role – Play
Lois Smith, “The Trip to Bountiful,” Goodman Theatre
Actress in a Principal Role – Musical
Summer Naomi Smart, “Sweet Charity,” Drury Lane Oakbrook
Actor in a Supporting Role – Play
Mark Ulrich, “Juno and the Paycock,” The Artistic Home
Actor in a Supporting Role – Musical
Richard Todd Adams, “Les Misérables,” Marriott Theatre
Actress in a Supporting Role – Play
Hallie Foote, “The Trip to Bountiful,” Goodman Theatre
Actress in a Supporting Role – Musical
Jessie Mueller, “Carousel,” Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Actor in a Revue
James Rank, “The American Dream Songbook,” Next Theatre Company
Actress in a Revue
E. Faye Butler, “Ella,” Northlight Theatre
Scenic Design – Large
E. David Cosier, “The Trip to Bountiful,” Goodman Theatre
Scenic Design – Midsize
Kevin Depinet, “Cadillac,” Chicago Dramatists
Costume Design – Large
Ana Kuzmanic, “The Comedy of Errors,” Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Costume Design – Midsize
Bill Morey, “Nine,” Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
Lighting Design – Large
J. R. Lederle, “The Turn of the Screw,” Writers' Theatre
Lighting Design – Midsize
Mike Durst, “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” Shattered Globe Theatre
Sound Design – Large
Barry G. Funderburg, “Carter's Way,” Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Sound Design – Midsize
Jack Arky, “Because They Have No Words,” Piven Theatre
Choreography
Mitzi Hamilton, “Sweet Charity,” Drury Lane Oakbrook
Original Incidental Music
David Pavkovic, “Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day,” Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art
Musical Direction
Doug Peck, “Carousel,” Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Fight Choreography
Nick Sandys, “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” Shattered Globe Theatre
Outstanding Achievement in Videography (Artistic Specialization)
John Musial, “Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day,” Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art
Special Award
Eileen Boevers, Outstanding Achievement, Founder, Apple Tree Theatre
Multiple Award Recipients
Companies:
Chicago Shakespeare Theater – 5
Chicago Dramatists – 4
Marriott Theatre – 4
Drury Lane Oakbrook – 3
Goodman Theatre – 3
Northlight Theatre – 3
Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre – 2
Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art – 2
Shattered Globe Theatre – 2
Productions:
“Les Misérables,” Marriott Theatre – 4
“The Comedy of Errors,” Chicago Shakespeare Theater – 4
“A Steady Rain,” Chicago Dramatists – 3
“Ella,” Northlight Theatre – 3
“Sweet Charity,” Drury Lane Oakbrook – 3
“The Trip to Bountiful,” Goodman Theatre – 3
“Carousel,” Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre – 2
“Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day,” Lookingglass Theatre Company and the
Museum of Contemporary Art – 2
“Requiem for a Heavyweight,” Shattered Globe Theatre – 2
Contact Dan: zeffdaniel@yahoo.com