Jeff Winners Announced

Chicago's Joseph Jefferson Awards, or Jeffs, were awarded last night. They celebrate the bet in Chicago theatre. Like any awards ceremony there is no lack of controversy, but the commotion over what is and isn't nominated, and what doesn't win, is mostly a sign of how much fantastic work there is out there. I didn't see everything this year, but here are a few comments on this years awards, followed by a list of the winners.

--I'm not sure that splitting some of the categories into large and midsized was necessary. More awards are nice, but it does somewhat make it seem like a tiered system, and that's not necessary.

--I was disappointed when the nominations came out to see that Court Theatre's Titus Andronicus was shut out. I'm thinking I may be the only one who loved this production, but it's a shame that something so stunningly theatrical and viscerally effective got so little recognition.

--Congratulations to Northlight, which picked up three Jeffs for their production of Ella, for Production of a Revue, Director of a Revue (Rob Ruggiero), an Actress in a Revue (the astonishing E. Faye Butler, currently finishing up her run in Caroline, Or Change).

--A Steady Rain is a hell of a play, and I'm glad it picked up awards for new work, production, and actor in a play, for Randy Steinmeyer. While Jon Hill was incandescent in Superior Donuts, and the play was also wonderful, Tracy Letts already has a Jeff and Jon Hill has more chances to win one. A Steady Rain made for a pretty exceptional evening, and I'm heartened that a show that is so powerful without being flashy did so well. I hope that the New York transfer that has been discussed materializes, either commercially or at a nonprofit. This is a show that should be seen by a wider audience.

--While I was sorry to see it not win for Best Musical, Court's gorgeous Carousel richly deserved the wins for Supporting Actress (Jessie Mueller) and especially Music Direction--Doug Peck's orchestra really brought out the beauty in the score, and fit the space beautifully.

--The acting of The Trip to Bountiful was realism at its best, so it was a thrill to see Lois Smith and Hallie Foote recognized--not that Lois Smith's performance was lacking in recognition.

--I had real problems with the script of Cadillac at Chicago Dramatists, but one way that the script and production were very successful was in creating the world of a used-car dealership. Kevin Depinet's set was a major part of that, and I'm glad it was recognized.

--Finally, congratulations to Dominic Missimi on his Jeff for Les Miserables, and I hope that his health continues to improve.

Here's a full list of the winners:

Production - Play – Large: "The Comedy of Errors" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Production - Play – Midsize: "A Steady Rain" at Chicago Dramatists

Production - Musical – Large: "Les Miserables" at Marriott Theatre

Production - Musical – Midsize: "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre

Production – Revue: "Ella" at Northlight Theatre

Ensemble: "Funk It Up About Nothin’" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Director – Play: Barbara Gaines, "The Comedy of Errors" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Director – Musical: Jim Corti, "Sweet Charity" at Drury Lane Oakbrook / Dominic Missimi, "Les Miserables" at Marriott Theatre

Director – Revue: Rob Ruggiero, "Ella" at Northlight Theatre

New Work: Keith Huff, "A Steady Rain" at Chicago Dramatists

New Adaptation: Ron West, "The Comedy of Errors" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Solo Performance: Nilaja Sun, "No Child" at Lookingglass Theatre

Actor in a Principal Role – Play: Randy Steinmeyer, "A Steady Rain" at Chicago Dramatists

Actor in a Principal Role – Musical: John Cudia, "Les Miserables" at Marriott Theatre

Actress in a Principal Role – Play: Lois Smith, "The Trip to Bountiful" at Goodman Theatre

Actress in a Principal Role – Musical: Summer Naomi Smart, "Sweet Charity" at Drury Lane Oakbrook

Actor in a Supporting Role – Play: Mark Ulrich, "Juno and the Paycock" at The Artistic Home

Actor in a Supporting Role – Musical: Richard Todd Adams, "Les Miserables" at Marriott Theatre

Actress in a Supporting Role – Play: Hallie Foote, "The Trip to Bountiful" at Goodman Theatre

Actress in a Supporting Role – Musical: Jessie Mueller, "Carousel" at Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre

Actor in a Revue: James Rank, "The American Dream Songbook" at Next Theatre Company

Actress in a Revue: E. Faye Butler, "Ella" at Northlight Theatre

Scenic Design – Large: E. David Cosier, "The Trip to Bountiful" at Goodman Theatre

Scenic Design – Midsize: Kevin Depinet, "Cadillac" at Chicago Dramatists

Costume Design – Large: Ana Kuzmanic, "The Comedy of Errors" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Costume Design – Midsize: Bill Morey, "Nine" at Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago

Lighting Design – Large: J.R. Lederle, "The Turn of the Screw," at Writers’ Theatre

Lighting Design – Midsize: Mike Durst, "Requiem for a Heavyweight" at Shattered Globe Theatre

Sound Design – Large: Barry G. Funderburg, "Carter’s Way" at Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Sound Design – Midsize: Jack Arky, "Because They Have No Words" at Piven Theatre

Choreography: Mitzi Hamilton, "Sweet Charity" at Drury Lane Oakbrook

Original Incidental Music: David Pavkovic, "Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day" by Lookingglass and the Museum of Contemporary Art

Musical Direction: Doug Peck, "Carousel" at Court Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre

Fight Choreography: Nick Sandys, "Requiem for a Heavyweight" by Shattered Globe Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in Videography: John Musial, "Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day" by Lookingglass and the Museum of Contemporary Art

Special Award: Eileen Boevers, Outstanding Achievement, founder of Apple Tree Theatre