Jeff Awards -40th Season
and The Hypocrites
Top List of Companies
In Non-Equity Jeff Award Nominations
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 – Chicago, IL. The Jeff Awards Committee today 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 Café” – 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 Café” – 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 Café” – 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 Café” – 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 Café” – 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 |