Jeff Awards ( Equity) 2023

October 2, 2023   Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace Illinois

Many people are not aware of what the Jeff Awards mean, so here is some important information:

What does it mean to be “Jeff Recommended”?
The designation of “Jeff Recommended” is given to a production when, after the opening night of its run, at least ONE ELEMENT of the show was deemed excellent by the opening night judges of the Jeff Awards. The entire production is then eligible for nomination for awards at the end of the season. See details under “Jeff Awards History, Eligibility and Judging Mechanics“.

What are the differences between Equity and Non-Equity awards?
Equity awards recognize outstanding achievement in productions performed under union contracts. Non-Equity awards recognize outstanding achievement in professional productions not operating under union contracts.

The building was abuzz with theater people and all were smiles. Of course, being an award celebration, we know that many of those smiles will be gone by evening’s end. The almost 4 hour show/presentation was hosted by Lorenzo Rush , Jr. and the announcer, Janet Ulrich Brooks, for the first time was seated on the stage and was a participant. In years past, this was not the case.

While this is a culmination of a great deal of theater, I for one find the evening to be a little long, and with the non-gender awards ( best performance/not actor or actress, but performer) somewhat confusing. There are also far to many nominations, and while I enjoyed the musical presentations from the nominated shows, it adds a great deal of time to the evening. Dinner was served at around 11:30 p.m. ( the evening began with the “red carpet” at 6:15 p.m.).

Please note that on my radio show, I predicted that the big winner this year ( musical) would be “The Who’s Tommy” , and it was! If it was nominated, it won!

In its 55^th Anniversary season, July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, the Jeff Awards membership judged the opening nights of 105 productions from 40 producing organizations. Of these, 88 productions were “Jeff Recommended,” which made them eligible for award nominations.

55th ANNIVERSARY EQUITY JEFF AWARD RECIPIENTS:

Production – Play (Large)
“The Cherry Orchard” – Goodman Theatre

Production – Play (Midsize)
“The Dream King” – Teatro Vista
“Fences” – American Blues Theater

Production – Musical (Large) – The Dr. Harlan Haimes Award
“The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre

Production – Musical (Midsize)
“London Road” – Shattered Globe Theatre

Director – Play (Large) – The Michael Maggio Award
Robert Falls – “The Cherry Orchard” – Goodman Theatre

Director – Play (Midsize)
Monty Cole – “Fences” – American Blues Theater

Director – Musical (Large)
Des McAnuff – “The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre

Director – Musical (Midsize)
Elizabeth Margolius – “London Road” – Shattered Globe Theatre

Ensemble – Play
“Motherhouse” – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Ensemble – Musical or Revue
“The Gospel at Colonus” – Court Theatre
“The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre

Performer in a Principal Role – Play
Kamal Angelo Bolden (Troy Maxson) – “Fences” – American Blues Theater
Marvin Quijada (Actor) – “The Dream King” – Teatro Vista

Performer in a Principal Role – Musical
Ali Louis Bourzgui (Tommy) – “The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre
Erica Stephan (Sally Bowles) – “Cabaret” – Porchlight Music Theatre

Solo Performance
Alexis J. Roston (Billie Holiday) – “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” – Mercury Theater Chicago

Performer in a Revue
Felicia P. Fields – “Pearl’s Rollin’ With the Blues” – Writers Theatre
Evan Mills – “Don’t Quit Your Daydream” – The Second City

Performer in a Supporting Role – Play
Karen Aldridge (She) – “Is God Is” – A Red Orchid Theatre
Meighan Gerachis (Aunt Weezie) – “Motherhouse” – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Performer in a Supporting Role – Musical
Mary Robin Roth (Fräulein Schneider) – “Cabaret” – Porchlight Music Theatre
Elizabeth Stenholt (Medium Alison) – “Fun Home” – Paramount Theatre
Joy Woods (Middle Allie) – “The Notebook” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater

New Work – The Libby Adler Mages Award
Bekah Brunstetter and Ingrid Michaelson – “The Notebook” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Rebecca Gilman – “Swing State” – Goodman Theatre
Marvin Quijada – “The Dream King” – Teatro Vista
Tuckie White – “Motherhouse” – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Scenic Design (Large)
Andrew Boyce – “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” – Drury Lane Productions
Jeffrey D. Kmiec – “Into the Woods” – Paramount Theatre

Scenic Design (Midsize)
Joe Schermoly – “The Dream King” – Teatro Vista

Costume Design (Large)
Bill Morey – “Cabaret” – Porchlight Music Theatre

Costume Design (Midsize)
Robert Kuhn – “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” – Mercury Theater Chicago

Sound Design (Large)
Gareth Owen – “The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre

Sound Design (Midsize)
Matthew Chapman – “The Dream King” – Teatro Vista

Lighting Design (Large)
Amanda Zieve – “The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre

Lighting Design (Midsize)
Conchita Avitia – “The Dream King” – Teatro Vista

Choreography
Lorin Latarro – “The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre

Music Direction
Rick Fox – “The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre

Original Music in a Play
Matthew Chapman, Marvin Quijada, Elliot Taggart and Ethan T. Parcell – “The Dream King” – Teatro Vista

Projection Design
Peter Nigrini – “The Who’s Tommy” – Goodman Theatre

Artistic Specialization
Drew Dir – Puppet Design – “Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol” – Writers Theatre and Manual Cinema
Amanda Hermann and Yu Shibagaki – Properties Design – “Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon” –
Lookingglass Theatre Company
Mike Oleon – Puppet Design – “The Dream King” – Teatro Vista:                                                               This production was a multiple winner and showed what a small theater company can accomplish.

Short Run – Production
“The Island” – Court Theatre

Short Run – Performer
Kelly Anne Clark (The Actor) – “Being Seen” – RG Productions

Special Award
Robert Falls, who is a brilliant director and a very witty individual.