Jeff Awards

The Jeff Awards Committee announced 120 nominations in 25 categories of Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2013. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 146 productions offered by 65 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 54 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty-three theatre companies received nominations.

Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, with a mix of musicals and plays in their tiny Glenwood Arts District storefront, earned 14 nods, the most of any theatre company. "The Spitfire Grill," a musical journey of a young woman just released from prison into a small town, and their production at Theater Wit of "Floyd Collins," a musical about a trapped cave explorer, each garnered 5 nominations.

The 2013 nominations also recognized the strong seasons at The Hypocrites, the new Den Theatre, and Circle Theatre. The Hypocrites scored 12 nominations for three works: four for "The Mikado," their humorous adaptation of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, four for another new adaptation of "The Fall of the House of Usher," by Edgar Allen Poe, three for "Coriolanus," their version of Shakespeare's play about the traitor of Rome in 1605, and one for "Romeo Juliet," an adaptation of the Shakespeare classic. Circle Theatre scored 11 nominations, including seven for "Reefer Madness," a musical satire of the 1936 movie, and four for "When the Rain Stops Falling," a play featuring four generations of a family from 1959 to 2039. The Den Theatre, a newly eligible theatre, had a smashing debut, with 11 nominations, including seven for "City of Dreadful Night," an atmospheric 1940's crime drama, and four for "The Quality of Life", an explosive play about loss and survival.

Blake Montgomery who adapted and performed "Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs A Christmas Carol. Again." at The Building Stage is the declared recipient in the Solo Performance category, and "Smokey Joe's Cafe" from Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre (which is currently running in a transfer at The Royal George Theatre) is the declared recipient in the Production of a Revue category.

2013 nominations also reward the efforts of Non-Equity Theatres producing New Works and New Adaptations in Chicago, citing 10 total nominations for world premieres. Four nominated new plays included David Cerda's "Sexy Baby" at Hell in a Handbag Productions, Tony Fiorentino's "The Feast" at The Prop Thtr, Bill Jepsen's "Never a Bridesmaid" at Polarity Ensemble Theatre, Carla Stillwell's "Bodies" at MPAACT, and one musical, Leo Schwartz's "Under a Rainbow Flag" at Pride Films and Plays. New Adaptations recognized two City Lit Theater Company productions, "Peyton Place" adapted by Paul Edwards and "Opus 1861" adapted by Elizabeth Margolius and Terry McCabe, two productions from The Hypocrites, "Romeo Juliet" adapted by Sean Graney and "The Mikado" adapted by Graney and Kevin O'Donnell, and The Building Stage production of "Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs A Christmas Carol. Again." by Blake Montgomery.

The 40th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 3, 2013, at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage, Chicago, IL. Doors open for a cash bar at 6:00 p.m., with a light buffet at 6:30 p.m., and the presentation ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door. A group rate of $35 is available for parties of 10 or more. Festive cocktail attire is suggested, and the public is cordially invited. Tickets may be purchased online with a credit card at www.jeffawards.org or by mail with the downloadable mail-order form. For more information contact John Glover, Non-Equity Wing Chair, at nonequitywing@jeffawards.org. Follow live twitter feeds from the ceremony and behind the scenes at @josephjefferson.

The Jeff Awards has been honoring outstanding theatre artists annually since it was established in 1968. With up to 52 members representing a wide variety of backgrounds in theatre, the Jeff Awards is committed to celebrating the vitality of Chicago area theatre by recognizing excellence through its recommendations, awards, and honors. The Jeff Awards fosters the artistic growth of area theatres and theatre artists and promotes educational opportunities, audience appreciation, and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community. Each year The Jeff Awards evaluates over 250 theatrical productions and holds two awards ceremonies annually. Originally chartered to recognize only Equity productions, the Jeff Awards established the Non-Equity Wing in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theatre. The next Equity Awards Ceremony, honoring productions presented under union contracts, will be held on Monday, November 4, 2013, at the Drury Lane Oakbrook in Oakbrook Terrace.

2013 NON-EQUITY JEFF AWARD NOMINEES

PRODUCTION - PLAY
"City of Dreadful Night" - The Den Theatre
"The Cripple of Inishmaan" - Redtwist Theatre
"Flare Path" - Griffin Theatre Company
"The Quality of Life" - The Den Theatre
"When The Rain Stops Falling" - Circle Theatre

PRODUCTION - MUSICAL
"Avenue Q" - NightBlue Performing Arts Company
"The Mikado" - The Hypocrites
"Reefer Madness" - Circle Theatre
"The Spitfire Grill" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
"Under A Rainbow Flag" - Pride Films and Plays

PRODUCTION - REVUE
"Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

DIRECTOR - PLAY
Jonathan Berry - "Moment" - Steep Theatre Company
John Gawlik - "When The Rain Stops Falling" - Circle Theatre
Lia D. Mortensen - "The Quality of Life" - The Den Theatre
Kimberly Senior - "The Cripple of Inishmaan" - Redtwist Theatre
Ron Wells - "City of Dreadful Night" - The Den Theatre
Robin Witt - "Flare Path" - Griffin Theatre Company

DIRECTOR - MUSICAL OR REVUE
Brenda Didier - "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Sean Graney - "The Mikado" - The Hypocrites
Matthew Gunnels - "Reefer Madness" - Circle Theatre
Kyle Hamman - "Improbable Frequency" - Strawdog Theatre Company
David Zak - "Under A Rainbow Flag" - Pride Films and Plays

ENSEMBLE
"Flare Path" - Griffin Theatre Company
"Idomeneus" - Sideshow Theatre Company
"Jar The Floor" - eta Creative Arts Foundation
"The Mikado" - The Hypocrites
"Moment" - Steep Theatre Company
"Opus 1861" - City Lit Theater Company
"Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - PLAY
Adam Brown (Chris) - "Long Way Go Down" - Jackalope Theatre
Sam Guinan-Nyhart (Tony) - "City of Dreadful Night" - The Den Theatre
Steve O'Connell (Coriolanus) - "Coriolanus" - The Hypocrites
Brian Parry (Johnnypateenmike) - "The Cripple of Inishmaan" - Redtwist Theatre
Jeremy Trager (Hauptmann) - "Hauptmann" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Alex Weisman (Richard) - "Ah, Wilderness!" - Eclipse Theatre
Ron Wells (Neil) - "The Quality of Life" - The Den Theatre

ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - MUSICAL
Jim DeSelm (Floyd Collins) - "Floyd Collins" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Adam Fane (Princeton / Rod) - "Avenue Q" - NightBlue Performing Arts Company
Jason Grimm (Lecturer) - "Reefer Madness" - Circle Theatre
Peter Oyloe (Hank Williams) - "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" - Filament Theatre Ensemble
Ryan Stajmiger (Jimmy) - "Reefer Madness" - Circle Theatre

ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE - PLAY
Kristin Collins (Theresa Bedell) - "Boy Gets Girl" - Raven Theatre
Vanessa Greenway (Countess Skriczevinsky) - "Flare Path" - Griffin Theatre Company
Anna Hammonds (Lizzie Curry) - "The Rainmaker" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Laura McClain (Miss Elizabeth Bennet) - "Pride and Prejudice" - Lifeline Theatre
Lindsey Pearlman (Maria) - "Never the Bridesmaid" - Polarity Ensemble Theatre
Cheryl Roy (Beverly) - "The Receptionist" - Steep Theatre Company
Liz Zweifler (Jeanette) - "The Quality of Life" - The Den Theatre

ACTRESS INA PRINCIPAL ROLE - MUSICAL
Landree Fleming (Mary Lane) - "Reefer Madness" - Circle Theatre
Kelli Harrington (Rose Vibert) - "Aspects of Love" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Casi Maggio (Kate Monster) - "Avenue Q" - NightBlue Performing Arts Company
Laura Savage (Percy) - "The Spitfire Grill" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble

SOLO PERFORMANCE
Blake Montgomery (Charles Dickens) - "Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs A Christma Carol. Again." - The Building Stage

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - PLAY
Walter Briggs (Jim) - "The Glass Menagerie" - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Anthony DiNicola (Miguel Valequez) - "American Storm" - Theatre Seven of Chicago
Dan Granata (Bernard) - "Arcadia" - New Leaf Theatre
Leonard Kraft (Les Kennkat) - "Boy Gets Girl" - Raven Theatre
Nate Santana (Jim Curry) - "The Rainmaker" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Phil Timberlake (Mr. Collins) - "Pride and Prejudice" - Lifeline Theatre

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - MUSICAL
Greg Foster (Skeets Miller) - "Floyd Collins" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Jon Harrison (Homer Collins) - "Floyd Collins" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
James Nedrud (Russell) - "Under A Rainbow Flag" - Pride Films and Plays
Gerald Richardson (Tee-Tot) - "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" - Filament Theatre Ensemble
Jason Richards Smith (Nicky / Trekkie Monster) - "Avenue Q" - NightBlue Performing Arts Company

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - PLAY
Joanne Dubach (Laura) - "The Glass Menagerie" - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Felisha McNeal (Lola) - "Jar The Floor" - eta Creative Arts Foundation
Susan Monts-Bologna (Linda) - "Kin" - Griffin Theatre Company
Mary Redmon (Elizabeth Law (Older)) - "When The Rain Stops Falling" - Circle Theatre
Ann Sonneville (Helena) - "Kin" - Griffin Theatre Company

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - MUSICAL
Nancy Kolton (Hannah) - "The Spitfire Grill" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Laura Lindahl (Shelby) - "The Spitfire Grill" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Danni Smith (Wife / Aunt Monica) - "See What I Wanna See" - Bailiwick Chicago
Rochelle Therrien (Jenny Dillingham) - "Aspects of Love" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Colette Todd (Giulietta Trapani) - "Aspects of Love" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

NEW WORK
David Cerda - "Sexy Baby" - Hell in a Handbag Productions
Tony Fiorentino - "The Feast" - The Prop Thtr
Bill Jepsen - "Never the Bridesmaid" - Polarity Ensemble Theatre
Leo Schwartz - "Under A Rainbow Flag" - Pride Films and Plays
Carla Stillwell - "Bodies" - MPAACT

NEW ADAPTATION
Paul Edwards - "Peyton Place" - City Lit Theater Company
Sean Graney - "Romeo Juliet" - The Hypocrites
Sean Graney & Kevin O'Donnell - "The Mikado" - The Hypocrites
Elizabeth Margolius & Terry McCabe - "Opus 1861" - City Lit Theater Company
Blake Montgomery - "Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs A Christmas Carol. Again."
- The Building Stage

CHOREOGRAPHY
Brenda Didier - "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Brigitte Ditmars - "Reefer Madness" - Circle Theatre

ORIGINAL INCIDENTAL MUSIC
Jonathan Gullien - "Elephant's Graveyard" - Red Tape Theater
Daniel Knox - "The Glass Menagerie" - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Christopher Kriz - "Pride and Prejudice" - Lifeline Theatre
Christopher Kriz - "The Woman in White" - Lifeline Theatre
Mikey Moran - "City of Dreadful Night" - The Den Theatre

MUSIC DIRECTION
Alan Bukowiecki - "Floyd Collins" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Robert Ollis - "Under A Rainbow Flag" - Pride Films and Plays
Gary Powell - "Opus 1861" - City Lit Theater Company
Jeremy Ramey - "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Tom Vendafreddo - "The Spitfire Grill" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble

SCENIC DESIGN
Henry Behel - "City of Dreadful Night" - The Den Theatre
Scott Davis - "Funeral Wedding: The Alvin Play" - The Strange Tree Group
Jack Magaw - "The Cripple of Inishmaan" - Redtwist Theatre
Joe Schermoly - "Flare Path" - Griffin Theatre Company
Joey Wade - "The Fall of the House of Usher" - The Hypocrites

LIGHTING DESIGN
Kevin D. Gawley - "The Woman in White" - Lifeline Theatre
Jared Moore - "Coriolanus" - The Hypocrites
Jared Moore - "The Fall of the House of Usher" - The Hypocrites
Mac Vaughey - "Idomeneus" - Sideshow Theatre Company
Cat Wilson - "City of Dreadful Night" - The Den Theatre

COSTUME DESIGN
Theresa Ham - "Pygmalion" - Stage Left Theatre and BoHo Theatre
Bill Morey - "Pride and Prejudice" - Lifeline Theatre
John Nasca - "Reefer Madness" - Circle Theatre
Kate Setzer Kamphausen - "Sexy Baby" - Hell in a Handbag Productions
Alison Siple - "The Fall of the House of Usher" - The Hypocrites

SOUND DESIGN
Christian Gero - "Flare Path" - Griffin Theatre Company
Christopher Kriz - "The Dumb Waiter" - TUTA Theatre Chicago
Christopher Kriz - "Floyd Collins" - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Mikey Moran - "City of Dreadful Night" - The Den Theatre
Rick Sims - "The Fall of the House of Usher" - The Hypocrites

ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
Kevin Bellie - Projection Design - "When The Rain Stops Falling" - Circle Theatre
Ryan Bourque - Fight Choreography - "Coriolanus" - The Hypocrites
Noah Ginex - Master Puppeteer / Puppetry Design - "Avenue Q" - NightBlue Performing Arts Company
Jacob Green - Wig Design - "Sexy Baby" - Hell in a Handbag Productions