Jeff Awards Set to Celebrate Annual Awards with "Spotlight on the 40th"
Monday, August 25, 2008 – Chicago, IL.Continuing a tradition of recognizing achievement in Chicago's diverse theatre scene, The Jeff Awards today announced 150 nominations in 35 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions which opened between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008. The Jeff Awards sent judges to the opening nights of 123 openings offered by 52 producing organizations. From these openings, 88 Equity productions were "Jeff recommended", which made them eligible for Jeff Award nominations. Beginning with this season, the Jeff Awards acknowledged the work of Large and Midsize theatres in separate categories for productions and technical elements. The list of Theatres and Categories in each Tier are at the end of this Release. The Jeff Awards is pleased to announce that Actors' Equity Association will continue its support of the Equity Jeff Awards by sponsoring the highly valued Outstanding Ensemble Award.
The 40th Annual Jeff Awards ceremony, celebrating the four-decade tradition of honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area, will be held on Monday, October 20, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Boulevard. A pre-show Appetizer Buffet will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the Awards Ceremony, directed by Michael Weber, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Advance purchase tickets, which include the ceremony and the pre-show buffet, are $75 ($55 for members of Actors' Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and the Dramatists Guild of America). The evening is black tie optional, and the public is cordially invited to attend. To purchase tickets, visit the Jeff Awards website at www.jeffawards.org. For more information, please contact Diane Hires at equitywing@jeffawards.org.
Chicago's abundance of strong playwrights is on display in the nominations for New Works and New Adaptations. Chicago Dramatists lived up to its name with two bold Chicago style works, Keith Huff's A Steady Rain and Bill Jepsen's Cadillac. Chicago Shakespeare Theater scored two nominations with the new work Funk It Up About Nothin', a hip-hop musical by GQ and JQ, and the new adaptation The Comedy of Errors, a hilarious 40's blitzkrieg of Shakespeare's comedy by Ron West. New works at About Face Theatre, Silk Road Theatre Project, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Victory Gardens Theater and a new adaptation from Lookingglass Theatre Company completed the fields.
Marriott Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, and Goodman Theatre led the Large Tier in nominations, with Marriott's Les Misérables garnering nine honors, the most for a Large Tier production. Lookingglass Theatre's Around the World in 80 Days and Marriott's The Producers received seven nominations each. Shattered Globe Theatre and Chicago Dramatists led the Midsize Tier nominations with Shattered Globe's Requiem for a Heavyweight bringing in seven nominations.
Two unique nominations of the nine nods to Les Misérables recognized husband and wife John Cudia, (Actor in a Principal Role - Musical) and Kathy Voytko (Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical). Multiple recognitions in different categories went to nominees Mike Tutaj and Nick Sandys. Tutaj's four nominations included Sound Design of Requiem for a Heavyweight and Suddenly, Last Summer at Shattered Globe Theatre, Projections Design for I Do! I Do! at American Theater Company and Our Enemies: Lively Scenes of Love and Combat at Silk Road Theatre Project. Sandys garnered three nominations, for Principal Actor in Much Ado About Nothing at First Folio Shakespeare Festival and for Fight Choreography in The Defiant Muse at Victory Gardens Theater and Requiem for a Heavyweight at Shattered Globe Theatre.
The Jeff Awards are given annually by The Jeff Awards Committee to honor excellence in professional theatre produced in the immediate Chicago area. The Committee, organized in 1968, consists of up to 50 men and women with varying backgrounds in theatre, but united by their commitment to Chicago's theatre community. The Committee evaluates over 250 theatrical productions and holds two awards ceremonies annually. Originally chartered to recognize only Equity productions, the Committee established the Non-Equity Wing in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union Chicago theatre. The next Non-Equity awards ceremony will be held in June 2009.
COMPLETE LIST OF JEFF EQUITY NOMINATIONS:
Production – Play – Large
"Around the World in 80 Days", Lookingglass Theatre Company
"As You Like It," Writers' Theatre
"The Comedy of Errors," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
"The Crucible," Steppenwolf Theatre Company
"Passion Play: a cycle in three parts," Goodman Theatre
"Superior Donuts," Steppenwolf Theatre Company
"The Trip to Bountiful," Goodman Theatre
Production - Play – Midsize
"Cadillac," Chicago Dramatists
"Defiance," Next Theatre Company
"Juno and the Paycock," The Artistic Home
"The Philadelphia Story," Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
"Requiem for a Heavyweight," Shattered Globe Theatre
"A Steady Rain," Chicago Dramatists
"W;t," The Gift Theatre
Production – Musical – Large
"Carousel," Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
"La Cage aux Folles," Theatre at the Center
"Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre
"Passion," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
"The Producers," Marriott Theatre
"Sweet Charity," Drury Lane Oakbrook
Production – Musical – Midsize
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
"Nine," Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
Production - Revue
"Ain't Misbehavin'," Goodman Theatre
"Campaign Supernova! or How Many Democrats Does It Take to Lose an Election?," The Second City e.t.c.
"Ella," Northlight Theatre
"The Mistress Cycle," Apple Tree Theatre
Ensemble – sponsored by Actors' Equity Association
"Altar Boyz," Altar Boyz Chicago, LLC
"Around the World in 80 Days," Lookingglass Theatre Company
"Because They Have No Words," Piven Theatre
"Campaign Supernova! or How Many Democrats Does It Take to Lose an Election?," The Second City e.t.c.
"Funk It Up About Nothin'," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
"Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre
"Nine," Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
"Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler (Old School vs. New School)," Black Ensemble Theater
New Work
Yussef El Guindi, "Our Enemies: Lively Scenes of Love and Combat," Silk Road Theatre Project
Keith Huff, "A Steady Rain," Chicago Dramatists
Bill Jepsen, "Cadillac," Chicago Dramatists
Joel Drake Johnson, "Four Places," Victory Gardens Theater
Tracy Letts, "Superior Donuts," Steppenwolf Theatre Company
GQ and JQ, "Funk It Up About Nothin'," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Eric Rosen, "Wedding Play," About Face Theatre
New Adaptation
Laura Eason, "Around the World in 80 Days," Lookingglass Theatre Company
Ron West, "The Comedy of Errors," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Director - Play
William Brown, "As You Like It," Writers' Theatre
Lou Contey, "Requiem for a Heavyweight," Shattered Globe Theatre
Barbara Gaines, "The Comedy of Errors," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Mark E. Lococo, "The Miser," Northlight Theatre
PJ Paparelli, "Speech & Debate," American Theater Company
Edward Sobel, "Cadillac," Chicago Dramatists
Russ Tutterow, "A Steady Rain," Chicago Dramatists
Director - Musical
Jim Corti, "Meet Me in St. Louis," Drury Lane Oakbrook
Jim Corti, "Sweet Charity," Drury Lane Oakbrook
Gary Griffin, "Passion," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Dominic Missimi, "Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre
Charles Newell, "Carousel," Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Marc Robin, "The Producers," Marriott Theatre
Director - Revue
Stafford Arima, "Altar Boyz," Altar Boyz Chicago, LLC
Jim Carlson, "No Country For Old White Men," The Second City
Kurt Johns, "The Mistress Cycle," Apple Tree Theatre
Rob Ruggiero, "Ella," Northlight Theatre
Chuck Smith, "Ain't Misbehavin'," Goodman Theatre
Actor in a Principal Role - Play
Jon Michael Hill, "Superior Donuts," Steppenwolf Theatre Company
D. J. Howard, "Driving Miss Daisy," First Folio Shakespeare Festival
John Judd, "Shining City," Goodman Theatre
Nick Sandys, "Much Ado About Nothing," First Folio Shakespeare Festival
Randy Steinmeyer, "A Steady Rain," Chicago Dramatists
Sean Sullivan, "Requiem for a Heavyweight," Shattered Globe Theatre
Actor in a Principal Role - Musical
Larry Adams, "Phantom," Theatre at the Center
Guy Adkins, "The Producers," Marriott Theatre
John Cudia, "Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre
Ross Lehman, "The Producers," Marriott Theatre
Jeff Parker, "Nine," Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
Actress in a Principal Role- Play
Karen Aldridge, "The Cook," Goodman Theatre
Shannon Cochran, "The Lion in Winter," Writers' Theatre
Mary Beth Fisher, "The Little Dog Laughed," About Face Theatre
Alexandra Main, "W;t," The Gift Theatre
Lois Smith, "The Trip to Bountiful," Goodman Theatre
Mary Ann Thebus, "Four Places," Victory Gardens Theater
Actress in a Principal Role - Musical
Ana Gasteyer, "Passion," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Heidi Kettenring, "Little Women,"Marriott Theatre
Johanna McKenzie Miller, "Phantom," Theatre at the Center
Summer Naomi Smart, "Sweet Charity," Drury Lane Oakbrook
Kathy Voytko, "Passion," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Solo Performance
Bradley Armacost, "C. S. Lewis on Stage," Provision Theater Company
Thomas J. Cox, "Nelson Algren: For Keeps and a Single Day," Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art
Judith Ivey, "The Lady With All The Answers," Northlight Theatre
Michael Joseph Mitchell, "Underneath the Lintel," City Lit Theater in association with BoarsHead Theater and CRM Productions, Inc.
Nilaja Sun, "No Child…," Lookingglass Theatre Company
Actor in a Supporting Role - Play
Joe Dempsey, "Wedding Play," About Face Theatre
Kevin Douglas, "Around the World in 80 Days," Lookingglass Theatre Company
Kevin McKillip, "Jeeves Intervenes," First Folio Shakespeare Theatre
Rob Riley, "Cadillac," Chicago Dramatists
Brian Sills, "Cymbeline," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Mark Ulrich, "Juno and the Paycock," The Artistic Home
Larry Yando,"As You Like It," Writers' Theatre
Actor in a Supporting Role - Musical
Richard Todd Adams, "Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre
Brandon Dahlquist, "Knute Rockne All-American ," Theatre at the Center
Rob Lindley, "Carousel," Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Michael Aaron Lindner, "The Producers," Marriott Theatre
Stephen Schellhardt, "Little Women," Marriott Theatre
Actress in a Supporting Role - Play
Lesley Bevan, "Othello," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Hallie Foote,"The Trip to Bountiful," Goodman Theatre
Ora Jones, "Carter's Way," Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Polly Noonan, "Passion Play: a cycle in three parts," Goodman Theatre
Jacqueline Williams, "The Miser," Northlight Theatre
Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical
Marilynn Bogetich, "Phantom," Theatre at the Center
Cory Goodrich, "Hello, Dolly!," Theatre at the Center
Jessie Mueller, "Carousel," Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Alene Robertson, "The Full Monty," Marriott Theatre
Kathy Voytko, "Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre
Actor in a Revue
John Steven Crowley, "Ain't Misbehavin'," Goodman Theatre
Brian Crum,"Altar Boyz," Altar Boyz Chicago, LLC
James Rank,"The American Dream Songbook," Next Theatre Company
Actress in a Revue
E. Faye Butler, "Ain't Misbehavin'," Goodman Theatre
E. Faye Butler, "Ella," Northlight Theatre
Laura Grey, "Campaign Supernova! or How Many Democrats Does It Take to Lose an Election?," The Second City e.t.c.
Angela Ingersoll, "The Mistress Cycle," Apple Tree Theatre
Amber Ruffin, "No Country For Old White Men" The Second City
Scenic Design - Large
Brian Sidney Bembridge, "The Goodbye Girl," Drury Lane Oakbrook
Brian Sidney Bembridge, "Meet Me in St. Louis," Drury Lane Oakbrook
E. David Cosier, "The Trip to Bountiful," Goodman Theatre
Allen Moyer,"Passion Play: a cycle in three parts," Goodman Theatre
Keith Pitts, "The Defiant Muse," Victory Gardens Theater
Scenic Design - Midsize
Kevin Depinet, "Cadillac," Chicago Dramatists
Kevin Hagan, "Suddenly, Last Summer," Shattered Globe Theatre
Kevin Hagan, "Requiem for a Heavyweight," Shattered Globe Theatre
Chelsea Meyers, "Juno and the Paycock," The Artistic Home
Jacqueline & Richard Penrod, "The Philadelphia Story," Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
Costume Design - Large
Nikki Delhomme, "La Cage aux Folles," Theatre at the Center
Ana Kuzmanic, "The Comedy of Errors," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Nancy Missimi, "The Producers," Marriott Theatre
Nancy Missimi, "Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre
Tatjana Radisic, "Meet Me in St. Louis," Drury Lane Oakbrook
Costume Design - Midsize
Karen Kawa, "Fatboy," A Red Orchid Theatre
Rachel Laritz, "The Philadelphia Story," Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
Elisa Hiltner, "Driving Miss Daisy," First Folio Shakespeare Festival
Cybele Moon, "Suddenly, Last Summer," Shattered Globe Theatre
Bill Morey, "Nine," Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
Sound Design - Large
Cecil Averett, "Passion Play: a cycle in three parts," Goodman Theatre
Barry G. Funderburg, "Carter's Way," Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Andrew Hansen, "As You Like It," Writers' Theatre
Joshua Horvath, "Around the World in 80 Days," Lookingglass Theatre Company
Andre Pluess, "The Turn of the Screw," Writers' Theatre
Sound Design - Midsize
Jack Arky, "Because They Have No Words," Piven Theatre
Andre Pluess, "Much Ado About Nothing," First Folio Shakespeare Festival
Miles Polaski, "White People," The Gift Theatre
Mike Tutaj, "Requiem for a Heavyweight," Shattered Globe Theatre
Mike Tutaj, "Suddenly, Last Summer," Shattered Globe Theatre
Lighting Design - Large
Lee Keenan,"Around the World in 80 Days," Lookingglass Theatre Company
Jesse Klug, "Sweet Charity," Drury Lane Oakbrook
J. R. Lederle,"The Turn of the Screw," Writers' Theatre
Philip S. Rosenberg, "Cymbeline," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Diane Ferry Williams, "Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre
Lighting Design - Midsize
Christopher Ash, "Wedding Play," About Face Theatre
Mike Durst, "Requiem for a Heavyweight," Shattered Globe Theatre
John Horan, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
John Horan, "W;t," The Gift Theatre
J. R. Lederle, "Fiction," Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
Choreography
David H. Bell,"Knute Rockne All-American," Theatre at the Center
Christopher Gattelli, "Altar Boyz," Altar Boyz Chicago, LLC
Mitzi Hamilton, "Sweet Charity," Drury Lane Oakbrook
Rudy Hogenmiller, "La Cage aux Folles," Theatre at the Center
Marc Robin, "The Producers," Marriott Theatre
Original Incidental Music
Andrew Hansen, "As You Like It," Writers' Theatre
Alaric Jans & Lindsay Jones, "Cymbeline," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Darrell Leonard, "Carter's Way," Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Kevin O'Donnell, "Around the World in 80 Days," Lookingglass Theatre Company
David Pavkovic, "Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day," Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art
Fight Choreography
Kevin Asselin, "As You Like It," Writers' Theatre
Robin McFarquhar, "Cymbeline," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Nick Sandys, "The Defiant Muse," Victory Gardens Theater
Nick Sandys,"Requiem for a Heavyweight," Shattered Globe Theatre
Musical Direction
Rob Berman,"Passion," Chicago Shakespeare Theater
George Caldwell, "Ella," Northlight Theatre
Eugene Dizon, "Nine," Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
Brad Haak, "Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre
Doug Peck, "Carousel," Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre
Jimmy Tillman, "Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler (Old School vs. New School)," Black Ensemble Theater
Artistic Specializations
Rupert Bohle, "Passion Play: a cycle in three parts," Goodman Theatre
Marty Higginbotham & Bobby Richards, "Speech & Debate," American Theater Company
John Musial, "Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day," Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art
Mike Tutaj, "I Do! I Do!," American Theater Company
Mike Tutaj, "Our Enemies: Lively Scenes of Love and Combat," Silk Road Theatre Project
2008 EQUITY NOMINEE STATISTICS (MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS)
PRODUCTIONS
Les Misérables -9
Around the World in 80 Days -7
Requiem for a Heavyweight -7
The Producers -7
As You Like It -6
Cadillac -5
Carousel -5
Nine -5
Passion -5
Passion Play: a cycle in three parts -5
Sweet Charity -5
A Steady Rain -4
Ain't Misbehavin' -4
Altar Boyz -4
Cymbeline -4
Ella -4
The Comedy of Errors -4
The Trip to Bountiful -4
Campaign Supernova! or How Many Democrats Does It Take to Lose an Election? - 3
Carter's Way -3
Juno and the Paycock -3
La Cage aux Folles -3
Meet Me in St. Louis -3
Nelson Algren: For Keeps and a Single Day -3
Phantom -3
Suddenly, Last Summer -3
Superior Donuts -3
The Mistress Cycle -3
The Philadelphia Story -3
W;t -3
Wedding Play -3
Because They Have No Words -2
Driving Miss Daisy -2
Four Places -2
Funk It Up About Nothin' -2
Knute Rockne All-American -2
Little Women -2
Much Ado About Nothing -2
No Country For Old White Men -2
Our Enemies: Lively Scenes of Love and Combat -2
Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler (Old School vs. New School) -2
Speech & Debate -2
The Defiant Muse -2
The Hunchback of Notre Dame -2
The Miser -2
The Turn of the Screw -2
PRODUCING ORGANIZATIONS
Marriott Theatre- 19
Chicago Shakespeare Theater - 16
Goodman Theatre - 15
Shattered Globe Theatre - 10
Chicago Dramatists - 9
Drury Lane Oakbrook - 9
Theatre at the Center - 9
Writers' Theatre - 9
Lookingglass Theatre Company - 8
Northlight Theatre - 7
Steppenwolf Theatre Company - 7
Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre - 5
First Folio Shakespeare Festival - 5
Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago - 5
About Face Theatre - 4
Altar Boyz Chicago, LLC - 4
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company - 4
The Gift Theatre - 4
Victory Gardens Theater - 4
American Theater Company - 3
Apple Tree Theatre - 3
Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Museum of Contemporary Art - 3
The Artistic Home - 3
The Second City e.t.c. - 3
Bailiwick Repertory Theatre - 2
Black Ensemble Theater - 2
Next Theatre Company - 2
Piven Theatre - 2
Silk Road Theatre Project - 2
The Second City - 2
INDIVIDUALS
Mike Tutaj - 4
Nick Sandys - 3
Brian Sidney Bembridge - 2
E. Faye Butler - 2
Jim Corti - 2
Kevin Hagan - 2
Andrew Hansen - 2
John Horan - 2
J. R. Lederle - 2
Nancy Missimi - 2
Andre Pluess - 2
Marc Robin - 2
Kathy Voytko - 2
Contact:
Jeffrey Marks, Media Chair at 312.606.0400 or media@jeffawards.org or Diane Hires, Equity Chair at equitywing@jeffawards.org.
SPECIAL NOTICE TO NEWS MEDIA
Your complimentary ticket to the 40th Annual Jeff Awards Ceremony will be held at the News Media table at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts only if you make a reservation in advance with Jeffrey Marks at 312.606.0400 or media@jeffawards.org.
Names of award recipients will be released immediately following the presentation ceremony October 20 by email and on our website. Photos from the event will be available on our website.
A Media Curtain is available for your own photos. We will also have an interview area available to you, and will assist in bringing interviewees to that area. If you need a quote or interview with any Jeff Awards committee member, please call or e-mail Jeffrey Marks at 312-606-0400 or media@jeffawards.org.
The Jeff Awards Committee website, www.jeffawards.org, lists all the current Equity nominees and statistics, along with previous recipients and nominees and other
Jeff Awards information and news.
New 2-Tier Jeff Awards begin in 2008
The Jeff Awards has added a 2-tier system in seven award categories. The 2-tier awards were developed as a result of a brand audit and on-going dialogue with members of the theatre community. Separate nominees and recipients will be chosen, when warranted by the number of potential nominees, for "large" and "midsize" theatres in seven categories.
2-Tier Awards
The following awards will be awarded in large and midsize tiers: Production – Play, Production – Musical, Production – Revue, Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Sound Design.
Single Tier Awards
The following awards will remain in one competitive category regardless of theatre size: All acting categories, Ensemble, Direction, Choreography, Music Direction, New Work and Adaptation, Original Incidental Music, and Other Artistic Specializations.
Theatre Size Designations
Annual budget is the single criterion to determine placement in the large and midsize theatre designations, with the Jeff Awards determining placement of additional companies and resident productions (Wicked-Chicago, for example). In alphabetical order:
Large – Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Drury Lane Water Tower Place, Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Marriott Theatre, Northlight Theatre, The Second City, The Second City e.t.c., Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Theatre at the Center, Victory Gardens Theater, Writers' Theatre
Midsize– A Red Orchid Theatre, About Face Theatre, American Theater Company, Apple Tree Theatre, The Artistic Home, Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, Collaboraction, Congo Square Theatre Company, First Folio Shakespeare Festival, The Gift Theatre, Light Opera Works – Second Stage, Next Theatre Company, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Piven Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago, Provision Theater Company, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Seanachai Theatre Company, Shattered Globe Theatre, Silk Road Theatre Project, Teatro Vista…Theatre with a View, Theater Wit, TimeLine Theatre Company, TUTA Theatre Chicago