Jeff Awards 2017 Equity Nominations
Aug 23, 2017
Seven world premiere plays seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by The Jeff Awards. 158 nominations in 33 categories honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017. Drury Lane Productions led all theatres with nineteen nominations, all for musicals in the Large Theatre category. "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and "Chicago the Musical" received seven each and "Crazy For You", five. Paramount Theatre and Writers Theatre each garnered 15 nominations. Paramount Theatre received six each for "Disney's The Little Mermaid" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", two for "Jesus Christ Superstar" and one for "Mamma Mia!". Writers Theatre received five for "Parade", four for "East Texas Hot Links", and two each for "The Hunter and The Bear", "The Mystery of Love & Sex" and "Julius Caesar". Goodman Theatre received 14 nominations, six for "Uncle Vanya", five for "Objects in the Mirror" and three for "Wonderful Town". In the Midsize Theatre category, Porchlight Music Theatre earned 13 nominations, four each for "End of the Rainbow" and "Marry Me a Little", three for "In the Heights" and two for "The Scottsboro Boys". In the coveted Ensemble category, the Jeff Awards nominated six productions: 16th Street Theater's "Blizzard '67", Writers Theatre's "East Texas Hot Links", American Blues Theater's "It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!", Porchlight Music Theatre's "The Scottsboro Boys", Drury Lane Productions' "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and The Royal George Theatre's "Spamilton". Actors' Equity Association supports the Equity Jeff Awards by sponsoring the Ensemble award. New Play nominations recognized plays and adaptations that had their world premieres in Chicago. Nominations went to Michael Cristofer's "Man In The Ring" at Court Theatre, Selina Fillinger's "Faceless" at Northlight Theatre, Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon's "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley" at Northlight Theatre, Ike Holter's "The Wolf at the End of the Block" at Teatro Vista, Antoinette Nwandu's "Pass Over" at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Madhuri Shekar's "Queen" at Victory Gardens Theater and Charles Smith's "Objects in the Mirror" at Goodman Theatre. During the 2016-17 season, Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 159 Equity productions offered by 42 producing organizations, and from these openings, 123 productions were "Jeff Recommended" and eligible for award nominations. The 49th Annual Equity Jeff Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area will be held on Monday, November 6th, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Performances featuring cast members from nominated musicals and revues will highlight the November 6th ceremony. Pre-show appetizers and cash bar will be offered from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, followed by the awards ceremony directed by Michael Weber and a lavish buffet reception immediately thereafter. Advance purchase tickets, which include the ceremony and pre- and post-show parties, are $75 ($55 for members of Actors' Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Stage Managers' Association, The Dramatists Guild of America, and American Federation of Musicians) ($85 and $65, respectively, if purchased at the door). The evening is black tie optional and the public is invited to attend. To purchase tickets, visit the Jeff Awards website at www.jeffawards.org. The Jeff Awards has been honoring outstanding theatre artists annually since it was established in 1968. With up to 55 members representing a wide variety of backgrounds in theatre (including producers, directors, actors, playwrights, designers, professors of theatre, entertainment lawyers and agents and theatre lovers), the Jeff Awards is committed to celebrating the vitality of Chicago area theatre by recognizing excellence through its recommendations, awards and honors. Opening night judges include not only Jeff members but also the team of Arts and Technical theatre volunteers (the "A/T Team") which is comprised of artistic directors, producers, directors from major Chicago theatres, actors and designers. 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 judges 300 theatrical productions and host two awards ceremonies. 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. 2017 EQUITY JEFF AWARD NOMINEES PRODUCTION - PLAY - LARGE "Blues for an Alabama Sky" - Court Theatre "East Texas Hot Links" - Writers Theatre "Hand to God" - Victory Gardens Theater "Man in the Ring" - Court Theatre "Uncle Vanya" - Goodman Theatre PRODUCTION - PLAY - MIDSIZE "Born Yesterday" - Remy Bumppo Theatre Company "The Columnist" - American Blues Theater "End of the Rainbow" - Porchlight Music Theatre "It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!" - American Blues Theater "Silent Sky" - First Folio Theatre PRODUCTION - MUSICAL - LARGE "Chicago the Musical" - Drury Lane Productions "Crazy for You" - Drury Lane Productions "Disney's The Little Mermaid" - Paramount Theatre "Parade" - Writers Theatre "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" - Paramount Theatre PRODUCTION - MUSICAL - MIDSIZE "Disney's Mary Poppins" - Mercury Theater Chicago "In the Heights" - Porchlight Music Theatre "The Scottsboro Boys" - Porchlight Music Theatre PRODUCTION - REVUE "Marry Me a Little" - Porchlight Music Theatre "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Drury Lane Productions "Spamilton" - The Royal George Theatre ENSEMBLE "Blizzard '67" - 16th Street Theater "East Texas Hot Links" - Writers Theatre "It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!" - American Blues Theater "The Scottsboro Boys" - Porchlight Music Theatre "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Drury Lane Productions "Spamilton" - The Royal George Theatre NEW PLAY Michael Cristofer - "Man in the Ring" - Court Theatre Selina Fillinger - "Faceless" - Northlight Theatre Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon - "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley" - Northlight Theatre Ike Holter - "The Wolf at the End of the Block" - Teatro Vista Antoinette Nwandu - "Pass Over" - Steppenwolf Theatre Company Madhuri Shekar - "Queen" - Victory Gardens Theater Charles Smith - "Objects in the Mirror" - Goodman Theatre DIRECTOR OF A PLAY David Darlow - "Born Yesterday" - Remy Bumppo Theatre Company Gary Griffin - "Hand to God" - Victory Gardens Theater Charles Newell - "Man in the Ring" - Court Theatre Ron OJ Parson - "Blues for an Alabama Sky" - Court Theatre Ron OJ Parson - "East Texas Hot Links" - Writers Theatre Chuck Smith - "Objects in the Mirror" - Goodman Theatre DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL OR REVUE Jim Corti - "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" - Paramount Theatre Matthew Crowle - "Crazy for You" - Drury Lane Productions Marcia Milgrom Dodge - "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Drury Lane Productions Gary Griffin - "Parade" - Writers Theatre William Osetek - "Chicago the Musical" - Drury Lane Productions PRINCIPAL ACTOR IN A PLAY Allen Gilmore - (Emile Griffith) - "Man in the Ring" - Court Theatre Allen Gilmore - (John Workolo) - "Objects in the Mirror" - Goodman Theatre Erik Hellman - (Arthur de Bourgh) - "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley" - Northlight Theatre Daniel Kyri - (Shedrick Kennedy Yarkpai) - "Objects in the Mirror" - Goodman Theatre Mike Nussbaum - (Albert Einstein) - "Relativity" - Northlight Theatre Alex Weisman - (Jason/Tyrone) - "Hand to God" - Victory Gardens Theater PRINCIPAL ACTOR IN A MUSICAL Clyde Alves - (Bobby Child) - "Crazy for You" - Drury Lane Productions Patrick Andrews - (Leo Frank) - "Parade" - Writers Theatre Alex Goodrich - (Georg Nowack) - "She Loves Me" - Marriott Theatre Paul-Jordan Jansen - (Sweeney Todd) - "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" - Paramount Theatre Nathaniel Stampley - (Robert) - "The Bridges of Madison County" - Marriott Theatre PRINCIPAL ACTRESS IN A PLAY Cassandra Bissell - (Henrietta Leavitt) - "Silent Sky" - First Folio Theatre Chaon Cross - (Hilary) - "The Hard Problem" - Court Theatre Angela Ingersoll - (Judy Garland) - "End of the Rainbow" - Porchlight Music Theatre Elizabeth Ledo - (Erica) - "Bright Half Life" - About Face Theatre Eliza Stoughton - (Billie Dawn) - "Born Yesterday" - Remy Bumppo Theatre Company Lisa Tejero - (Vivian Bearing) - "Wit" - The Hypocrites PRINCIPAL ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL Kelly Felthous - (Roxie Hart) - "Chicago the Musical" - Drury Lane Productions Bri Sudia - (Mrs. Lovett) - "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" - Paramount Theatre Bri Sudia - (Ruth Sherwood) - "Wonderful Town" - Goodman Theatre Kathy Voytko - (Francesca) - "The Bridges of Madison County" - Marriott Theatre Aerial "Mon'Aerie" Williams - (Younger Josephine) - "Black Pearl: A Tribute to Josephine Baker" - Black Ensemble Theater SOLO PERFORMANCE Will Allan - (Chester) - "Circumference of a Squirrel" - The Greenhouse Theater Center in association with Forum Productions Linda Reiter - (Rose Kennedy) - "Rose" - The Greenhouse Theater Center in association with Forum Productions Simon Slater - (Derek Eveleigh) - "Bloodshot" - The Greenhouse Theater Center and Ingenious Purpose Ltd. in association with Forum Productions Gene Weygandt - (Matty) - "Uncle Phillip's Coat" - The Greenhouse Theater Center in association with Forum Productions SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY Marton Csokas - (Astrov) - "Uncle Vanya" - Goodman Theatre Keith Kupferer - (Howard) - "The Mystery of Love & Sex" - Writers Theatre Adam Poss - (Arvind Patel) - "Queen" - Victory Gardens Theater Tommy Rivera-Vega - (Eli) - "Parachute Men" - Teatro Vista SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL Larry Adams - (Bela Zangler) - "Crazy for You" - Drury Lane Productions Jonathan Butler-Duplessis - (Sebastian) - "Disney's The Little Mermaid" - Paramount Theatre Jonathan Butler-Duplessis - (Jim Conley) - "Parade" - Writers Theatre Alex Goodrich - (Bud Frump) - "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" - Marriott Theatre James Earl Jones II - (Ladislav Sipos) - "She Loves Me" - Marriott Theatre SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY Kristen Bush - (Yelena) - "Uncle Vanya" - Goodman Theatre Kymberly Mellen - (Susan Mary Alsop) - "The Columnist" - American Blues Theater Lia Mortensen - (Lucinda) - "The Mystery of Love & Sex" - Writers Theatre Caroline Neff - (Sonya) - "Uncle Vanya" - Goodman Theatre SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL Felicia Boswell - (Mary Magdalene) - "Jesus Christ Superstar" - Paramount Theatre E. Faye Butler - (Matron Mama Morton) - "Chicago the Musical" - Drury Lane Productions Angela Ingersoll - (Hedy La Rue) - "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" - Marriott Theatre Iris Lieberman - (Fraulein Schneider) - "Cabaret" - Theatre at the Center Meghan Murphy - (Tanya) - "Mamma Mia!" - Marriott Theatre ACTOR IN A REVUE Austin Cook - (The Man) - "Marry Me a Little" - Porchlight Music Theatre Justin Keyes - (Little Walter) - "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Drury Lane Productions Yando Lopez - (Ensemble) - "Spamilton" - The Royal George Theatre Evan Tyrone Martin - (Ensemble) - "I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett" - Mercury Theater Chicago ACTRESS IN A REVUE Michelle Lauto - (Ensemble) - "Spamilton" - The Royal George Theatre Donica Lynn - (Willie Mae) - "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Drury Lane Productions Meghan Murphy - (Ruth) - "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Drury Lane Productions Bethany Thomas - (The Woman) - "Marry Me a Little" - Porchlight Music Theatre SCENIC DESIGN - LARGE William Boles - "Native Gardens" - Victory Gardens Theater Linda Buchanan - "Blues for an Alabama Sky" - Court Theatre Jeffrey D. Kmiec - "Disney's The Little Mermaid" - Paramount Theatre Jack Magaw - "East Texas Hot Links" - Writers Theatre Courtney O'Neill - "Harvey" - Court Theatre Todd Rosenthal - "Uncle Vanya" - Goodman Theatre SCENIC DESIGN - MIDSIZE Angela Weber Miller - "Captain Blood" - First Folio Theatre Greg Pinsoneault - "In the Heights" - Porchlight Music Theatre Christopher Rhoton - "End of the Rainbow" - Porchlight Music Theatre Grant Sabin - "Born Yesterday" - Remy Bumppo Theatre Company Joe Schermoly - "Naperville" - Theater Wit COSTUME DESIGN - LARGE Theresa Ham - "Disney's The Little Mermaid" - Paramount Theatre Theresa Ham - "Mamma Mia!" - Marriott Theatre Rachel Healy - "Blues for an Alabama Sky" - Court Theatre Susan E. Mickey - "Shakespeare in Love" - Chicago Shakespeare Theater Sully Ratke - "Chicago The Musical" - Drury Lane Productions COSTUME DESIGN - MIDSIZE Kristy Leigh Hall - "Pygmalion" - Remy Bumppo Theatre Company Izumi Inaba - "A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch" - The House Theatre of Chicago Kate Setzer Kamphausen - "In the Heights" - Porchlight Music Theatre Bill Morey - "End of the Rainbow" - Porchlight Music Theatre Mieka van der Ploeg - "The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz" - The House Theatre of Chicago SOUND DESIGN - LARGE Mikhail Fiksel - "The Hunter and the Bear" - Writers Theatre Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen - "Julius Caesar" - Writers Theatre Andre Pluess - "Man in the Ring" - Court Theatre Richard Woodbury - "Uncle Vanya" - Goodman Theatre SOUND DESIGN - MIDSIZE Joe Court - "10 Out of 12" - Theater Wit Heath Hays - "The Room" - A Red Orchid Theatre Grover Holloway - "The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz" - The House Theatre of Chicago Jeffrey Levin - "The River Bride" - Halcyon Theatre LIGHTING DESIGN - LARGE Nick Belley and Jesse Klug - "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" - Paramount Theatre Bart Cortright - "The Hunter and the Bear" - Writers Theatre Lee Fiskness - "Chicago the Musical" - Drury Lane Productions Greg Hofmann - "Jesus Christ Superstar" - Paramount Theatre Jesse Klug - "Disney's The Little Mermaid" - Paramount Theatre LIGHTING DESIGN - MIDSIZE Erik Barry - "Circumference of a Squirrel" - The Greenhouse Theater Center in association with Forum Productions Christine Binder - "Bright Half Life" - About Face Theatre Cat Davis - "The River Bride" - Halcyon Theatre John Kelly - "I Am My Own Wife" - About Face Theatre Michael Stanfill - "Wit" - The Hypocrites CHOREOGRAPHY Matthew Crowle - "Crazy for You" - Drury Lane Productions Jane Lanier - "Chicago the Musical" - Drury Lane Productions Ericka Mac - "Mamma Mia!" - Marriott Theatre Tammy Mader - "Singin' in the Rain" - Marriott Theatre Alex Sanchez - "Wonderful Town" - Goodman Theatre ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY Neil Bartram - "Shakespeare in Love" - Chicago Shakespeare Theater Orbert Davis - "Paradise Blue" - TimeLine Theatre Company Chirstopher Kriz - "Silent Sky" - First Folio Theatre Ronnie Malley - "Great Expectations" - Silk Road Rising and Remy Bumppo Theatre Company MUSIC DIRECTION Austin Cook - "Marry Me a Little" - Porchlight Music Theatre Roberta Duchak - "Smokey Joe's Cafe" - Drury Lane Productions Michael Mahler - "Parade" - Writers Theatre Doug Peck - "Wonderful Town" - Goodman Theatre Tom Vendafreddo - "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" - Paramount Theatre PUPPET DESIGN Jesse Mooney-Bullock - "A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch" - The House Theatre of Chicago Jesse Mooney-Bullock - "Disney's The Little Mermaid" - Paramount Theatre Blair Thomas - "Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth" - Lookingglass Theatre Company PROJECTION DESIGN Christopher Ash - "Mamma Mia!" - Paramount Theatre Paul Deziel - "Beauty's Daughter" - American Blues Theater Stephan Mazurek - "The Fundamentals" - Steppenwolf Theatre Company Mike Tutaj - "Julius Caesar" - Writers Theatre Mike Tutaj - "Objects in the Mirror" - Goodman Theatre MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS THEATRE COMPANY Drury Lane 19 Paramount Theatre 15 Writers Theatre 15 Goodman Theatre 14 Porchlight Music Theatre 13 Court Theatre 11 Marriott Theatre 10 Remy Bumppo Theatre Company 6 (1 with Silk Road Rising) Victory Gardens Theater 6 American Blues Theater 5 The Greenhouse Theater Center in association with Forum Productions 5 (1 with Ingenious Purpose, Ltd.) First Folio Theatre 4 Northlight Theatre 4 The House Theatre of Chicago 4 The Royal George Theatre 4 About Face Theatre 3 Chicago Shakespeare Theater 2 Halcyon Theatre 2 Mercury Theater Chicago 2 Steppenwolf Theatre Company 2 Teatro Vista 2 The Hypocrites 2 Theater Wit 2 PRODUCTION Chicago The Musical 7 Smokey Joe's Cafe 7 Disney's Little Mermaid 6 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 6 Uncle Vanya 6 Crazy for You 5 Man in the Ring 5 Objects in the Mirror 5 Parade 5 Blues for an Alabama Sky 4 Born Yesterday 4 East Texas Hot Links 4 End of the Rainbow 4 Marry Me a Little 4 Spamilton 4 Hand to God 3 In the Heights 3 Mamma Mia!, Marriott Theatre 3 Silent Sky 3 Wonderful Town 3 A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch 2 The Bridges of Madison County 2 Bright Half Life 2 Circumference of a Squirrel 2 The Columnist 2 The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz 2 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying 2 The Hunter and the Bear 2 It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! 2 Jesus Christ Superstar 2 Julius Caesar 2 Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley 2 The Mystery of Love & Sex 2 Queen 2 The River Bride 2 The Scottsboro Boys 2 Shakespeare in Love 2 She Loves Me 2 Wit 2 INDIVIDUAL Jonthan Butler-Duplessis 2 Austin Cook 2 Matthew Crowle 2 Allen Gilmore 2 Alex Goodrich 2 Gary Griffin 2 Theresa Ham 2 Angela Ingersoll 2 Jesse Klug 2 Jesse Mooney-Bullock 2 Meghan Murphy 2 Mike Tutaj 2 Ron OJ Parson 2 Bri Sudia 2
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