May 6, 2010, Chicago, IL. The Jeff Awards today announced 105 nominations in 24 categories for Non-Equity Jeff Awards, which honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract, for productions that opened between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. The Jeff Awards judged the opening nights of 116 productions offered by 55 non-Equity producing organizations and recommended 51 shows for further judging, making those 51 eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations in all categories.
In keeping with Chicago’s growing national reputation for producing new works, of the 116 opening night shows judged, 19 were new works or new adaptations. Of the 51 shows Recommended, 15 were new works or new adaptations. The total of 105 nominations are spread among a record 26 theatre companies.
The Glenwood Avenue Arts District in Chicago’s far north Rogers Park neighborhood continued its recent streak of garnering a large percentage of nominations. Among producing organizations, Lifeline Theatre with 13 nominations, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble (BoHo) with 11 nominations, and Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Association with Michael James with 11 nominations led all theatre nominees. Top-nominated productions were Theo Ubique’s “Chess” and BoHo’s “The Glorious Ones” with 8 each. Lifeline’s new adaptations of “Treasure Island” with 6 nominations, “Busman’s Honeymoon” with 5 nominations, and “Mrs. Caliban” with 3 nominations continued Lifeline’s recent leadership in the Play categories. Other new works recognized include The House Theatre of Chicago’s “Wilson Wants It All” with 6 nominations, and Quest Theatre Ensemble’s “Evolution/Creation” with 5 nominations.
Among critically acclaimed hits, Profiles Theatre’s “Killer Joe,” Strawdog Theatre Company’s “St. Crispin’s Day,” Redtwist Theatre’s “The Pillowman,” and Raven Theatre’s “Death of a Salesman” were recognized with 4 nominations each. Indicative of the growing number of talented artists now working in Chicago, no individual received more than 2 nominations.
The 37th Anniversary Non-Equity Jeff Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010, 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 $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Festive cocktail attire is suggested, and the public is cordially invited. Tickets may be purchased on-line with a credit card at www.jeffawards.org or by mail. A downloadable mail-order form is available at www.jeffawards.org. For more information contact Doug Bradburd, 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 50 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 promote educational opportunities, audience appreciation, and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community. The Jeff Awards Committee 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 Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at the Drury Lane Oakbrook in Oakbrook Terrace.
2010 NON-EQUITY JEFF AWARD NOMINEES
PRODUCTION – PLAY
“Busman’s Honeymoon” – Lifeline Theatre
“Death of a Salesman” – Raven Theatre
“Killer Joe” – Profiles Theatre
“The Pillowman” – Redtwist Theatre
“St. Crispin’s Day” – Strawdog Theatre Company
“Wilson Wants It All” – The House Theatre of Chicago
PRODUCTION – MUSICAL
“Chess” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
“Evolution/Creation” – Quest Theatre Ensemble
“The Glorious Ones” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
“The Who’s Tommy” – Circle Theatre
DIRECTOR – PLAY
Aaron Todd Douglas – “Twelve Angry Men” – Raven Theatre
Michael Menendian – “Death of a Salesman” – Raven Theatre
Michael Rohd – “Wilson Wants It All” – The House Theatre of Chicago
Kimberly Senior – “The Pillowman” – Redtwist Theatre
Rick Snyder – “Killer Joe” – Profiles Theatre
DIRECTOR – MUSICAL
Fred Anzevino & Brenda Didier – “Chess” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Jeffrey Cass – “The Who’s Tommy” – Circle Theatre
Stephen M. Genovese – “The Glorious Ones” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Andrew Park – “Evolution/Creation” – Quest Theatre Ensemble
ENSEMBLE
“The Glorious Ones ” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
“Red Noses” – Strawdog Theatre Company
“Twelve Angry Men” – Raven Theatre
“Under Milk Wood ” – Caffeine Theatre
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY
Tony Bozzuto – “On an Average Day” – BackStage Theatre Company
Darrell W. Cox – “Killer Joe” – Profiles Theatre
Andrew Jessop – “The Pillowman” – Redtwist Theatre
Peter Robel – “I Am My Own Wife” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Chuck Spencer – “Death of a Salesman ” – Raven Theatre
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
Courtney Crouse — “Chess” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Tom McGunn – “The Who’s Tommy” – Circle Theatre
Eric Damon Smith – “The Glorious Ones” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Jeremy Trager – “Chess” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE — PLAY
Brenda Barrie – “Mrs. Caliban” – Lifeline Theatre
LaNisa Frederick – “The Gimmick” – Pegasus Players
Millicent Hurley – “Lettice & Lovage” – Redtwist Theatre
Kendra Thulin – “Harper Regan” – Steep Theatre Company
Rebekah Ward – Hays – “Aunt Dan and Lemon” – BackStage Theatre Company
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
Danielle Brothers – “Man of La Mancha” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Sarah Hayes – “Man of La Mancha” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Maggie Portman – “Chess” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY
Chance Bone – “Cooperstown” – Theatre Seven of Chicago
Jason Huysman – “Death of a Salesman” – Raven Theatre
Edward Kuffert – “The Crucible” – Infamous Commonwealth Theatre
Peter Oyloe – “The Pillowman” – Redtwist Theatre
Phil Timberlake – ” Busman’s Honeymoon” – Lifeline Theatre
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL
Eric Lindahl – “The Who’s Tommy” – Circle Theatre
Steve Kimbrough – “Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical” – Hell in a Handbag Productions
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
Kelly Lynn Hogan – “The Night Season” – Vitalist Theatre i/a/w Premiere Theatre & Performance
Kristy Johnson – “A Song for Coretta” – Eclipse Theatre Company
Mary Redmon – “The Analytical Engine” – Circle Theatre
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE — MUSICAL OR REVUE
Kate Garassino – “Bombs Away! ” – Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Danni Smith – “The Glorious Ones” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Trista Smith – “Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical” – Hell in a Handbag Productions
Dana Tretta – “The Glorious Ones” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
NEW WORK
Aaron Carter – “First Words” – MPAACT
Ellen Fairey – “Graceland” – Profiles Theatre
Tommy Lee Johnston – “Aura” – Redtwist Theatre
Andrew Park & Scott Lamps – “Evolution/Creation” – Quest Theatre Ensemble
Michael Rohd & Phillip C. Klapperich – “Wilson Wants It All” – The House Theatre of Chicago
NEW ADAPTATION
Bilal Dardai – “The Man Who Was Thursday” – New Leaf Theatre
Sean Graney – ” Oedipus” – The Hypocrites”
Frances Limoncelli – “Busman’s Honeymoon” – Lifeline Theatre
Frances Limoncelli – “Mrs. Caliban” – Lifeline Theatre
William Massolia – “Little Brother” – Griffin Theatre Company
CHOREOGRAPHY
Kevin Bellie – “The Who’s Tommy” – Circle Theatre
Brenda Didier – “Chess” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Brigitte Ditmars – “Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical” – Hell in a Handbag Productions
ORIGINAL INCIDENTAL MUSIC
Andrew Hansen – “Treasure Island” – Lifeline Theatre
Kevin O’Donnell – “Wilson Wants It All” – The House Theatre of Chicago
Trevor Watkin – “The Black Duckling” – Dream Theatre Company
MUSIC DIRECTION
Ryan Brewster — “Chess” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Gary Powell – “Evolution/Creation” – Quest Theatre Ensemble
Nick Sula – “The Glorious Ones” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
SCENIC DESIGN
Tom Burch – “Uncle Vanya” – Strawdog Theatre Company
Alan Donahue – “Treasure Island ” – Lifeline Theatre
Heath Hays – “On an Average Day” – BackStage Theatre Company
Bob Knuth – “The Analytical Engine” – Circle Theatre
Bob Knuth – “Little Women” – Circle Theatre
John Zuiker – “I Am My Own Wife” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
LIGHTING DESIGN
Diane Fairchild – “The Gimmick” – Pegasus Players
Kevin D. Gawley – “Treasure Island” – Lifeline Theatre
Sean Mallary – “St. Crispin’s Day” – Strawdog Theatre Company
Jared B. Moore – “The Man Who Was Thursday” – New Leaf Theatre
Katy Peterson – “I Am My Own Wife” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
COSTUME DESIGN
Theresa Ham – “The Glorious Ones” – Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Branimira Ivanova – “Treasure Island” – Lifeline Theatre
Joanna Melville – “St. Crispin’s Day” – Strawdog Theatre Company
Jill Van Brussel – “The Taming of the Shrew” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James
Elizabeth Powell Wislar – “The Analytical Engine” – Circle Theatre
SOUND DESIGN
Mikhail Fiksel — “Oedipus” – The Hypocrites
Michael Griggs – “Wilson Wants It All” – The House Theatre of Chicago
Andrew Hansen – “Treasure Island” – Lifeline Theatre
Joshua Horvath – “Mrs. Caliban” – Lifeline Theatre
Miles Polaski – “Mouse in a Jar” – Red Tape Theatre
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
Kevin Bellie – Projection Design – “The Who’s Tommy” – Circle Theatre
Elise Kauzlaric – Dialect Coach – “Busman’s Honeymoon” – Lifeline Theatre
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 – “On an Average Day” – BackStage Theatre Company
Geoff Coates – “Treasure Island” – Lifeline Theatre
Matt Hawkins – “St. Crispin’s Day” – Strawdog Theatre Company
R & D Choreography – “Killer Joe” – Profiles Theatre
MULTIPLE NOMINEES
Individuals
Kevin Bellie 2
Geoff Coates 2
Brenda Didier 2
Bob Knuth 2
Frances Limoncelli 2
Michael Rohd 2
Productions
“Chess” 8
“The Glorious Ones” 8
“The Who’s Tommy” 6
“Treasure Island” 6
“Wilson Wants It All” 6
“Busman’s Honeymoon” 5
“Evolution/Creation” 5
“Death of a Salesman” 4
“Killer Joe” 4
“St. Crispin’s Day” 4
“The Pillowman” 4
“I Am My Own Wife” 3
“On an Average Day” 3
“Mrs. Caliban” 3
“Poseidon! An Upside Down “Musical” 3
“The Analytical Engine” 3
“Man of La Mancha” 2
“Oedipus” 2
“The Crucible” 2
“The Gimmick” 2
“The Man Who Was Thursday” 2
“The Night Season” 2
“Twelve Angry Men” 2
Companies
Lifeline Theatre 13
Bohemian Theatre Ensemble 11
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James 11
Circle Theatre 10
Raven Theatre 6
Redtwist Theatre 6
Strawdog Theatre Company 6
The House Theatre of Chicago 6
Profiles Theatre 5
Quest Theatre Ensemble 5
BackStage Theatre Company 4
Hell in a Handbag Productions 3
Infamous Commonwealth …..Theatre 2
New Leaf Theatre 2
Pegasus Players 2
The Hypocrites 2
Vitalist Theatre i/a/w Premiere Theatre & Performance 2