Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre tied for the most (six) awards in the category of “Large Theater” when the annual Equity Jeff Awards ceremony was held Sept 30. Red Orchid Theatre received four awards in the “Mid-Size” category.
The Jeff Awards were for outstanding theater work and performances July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 chosen from 82 productions that were eligible as “Jeff Recommended.”
To better understand the importance to Chicago’s theater community of these Jeff Awards know that 44 award recipients were recognized from 193 nominees in 34 categories of “excellence in theater production.”
Co-hosted by Chicago entertainers Lillian Castillo and Kelvin Roston, Jr., with actor Janet Ulrich Brooks as announcer, the program featured performances from 10 nominated productions.
The Goodman Theatre’s awards were for “The Penelopiad” as an Ensemble (Play) and for Original Music in a Play (Samuel Davis), plus “The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at the Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years” for E. Faye Butler as Perfomer in a Supporting Role and Scenic Design by Arnel Sancianco). Also, Scenic Design by Todd Rosenthal and Costume Design by Ana Kuzmanic for “The Matchbox Magic Flute,” brought awards to Goodman.
Steppenwolf Theatre was recognized with awards for “Purpose” for Production (Play), Direction (Phylicia Rashad) and New Work (Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins), plus for “Little Bear Ridge Road” for Direction (Joe Mantello), Performer in a Principal Role (Laurie Metcalf) and New Work (Samuel D. Hunter).
In the musical category Marriott Theater and Drury Lane Productions tied for the most awards with four.
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at Marriott Theater received awards for Production, Direction (Jessica Fisch), Performer in a Principal Role (Kaitlyn Davis) and Performer in a Supporting Role (Andrew Mueller).
At Drury Lane, “Ain’t Misbehavin” garnered awards for Production, Ensemble, Direction (E. Faye Butler) and Performer (Lorenzo Rush Jr.).
For all Equity Awards visit Homepage | The Joseph Jefferson Awards (jeffawards.org)
Jodie Jacobs