Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare theaters dominate Jeff Awards
Suburban titans Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook were shut out of the major awards at Monday’s 44th annual equity Jeff Awards ceremony held at Oak Brook’s Drury Lane Theatre.
For the second year in a row, Goodman Theatre proved a formidable contender, winning multiple Jeffs for its epic revival of Eugene O’Neill’s “The Iceman Cometh.”
Director Gary Griffin’s glittering production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies” for Chicago Shakespeare Theater dominated in the musical categories.
Goodman received six awards for “Iceman,” the operatic, ever-resonant tale about the impossibility of living life without illusions, including the award for best production, large theater and ensemble for its stellar cast made up of some of the area’s finest actors. The production also earned awards for director Robert Falls, supporting actor Brian Dennehy, set designer Kevin Depinet and lighting designer Natasha Katz.
“Follies,” about a reunion of former showgirls in a once-grand theater destined for the wrecking ball, received awards for director Griffin and music director Brad Haak, lead actress Caroline O’Connor, supporting actress Hollis Resnik, costume designer Virgil C. Johnson and musical production, large theater.
Sound designer Christopher Kriz and lighting designer Michael McNamara were honored for First Folio Theater in Oak Brook’s chilling “The Turn of the Screw.” The Jeff Committee honored Aaron Thielen and Michael Mahler with the best new musical award for their show “Hero the Musical,” a tuneful tribute to ordinary Joes and Janes that premiered at Marriott Theatre in June. Alex Goodrich picked up the supporting actor in a musical award for his performance as the title character’s requisite sidekick and wingman.
Drury Lane in Oak Brook, which led all suburban theaters with 17 nominations, won one award, for Tammy Mader’s exuberant choreography for “Hairspray.” TimeLine Theatre earned the award for midsize theater play production for “The Pitmen Painters” and the country music sendup “The Doyle & Debbie Show,” which had an extended run at the Royal George Theatre, received Jeff awards for midsize musical and for lead actor Bruce Arntson. Here are the winners.
2012 Equity Jeff Award Recipients
Production — play — large
“The Iceman Cometh” — Goodman Theatre
Production — play — midsize
“The Pitmen Painters” — TimeLine Theatre Company
Production — musical — large
“Follies” — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Production — musical — midsize
“The Doyle & Debbie Show” — lonesome road productions in association with Jim Jensen and Lisselan Productions
Production — revue
“We’re All in This Room Together” — The Second City e.t.c.
Director — play
Robert Falls — “The Iceman Cometh” — Goodman Theatre
Director — musical
Gary Griffin — “Follies” — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Director — revue
Ryan Bernier — “We’re All in This Room Together” — The Second City e.t.c.
Ensemble
“The Iceman Cometh” — Goodman Theatre
Actor in a principal role — play
Larry Yando — “Angels in America” — Court Theatre
Actor in a principal role — musical
Bruce Arntson — “The Doyle & Debbie Show” — lonesome road productions in association with Jim Jensen and Lisselan Productions
Actress in a principal role — play
Diane D’Aquila — “Elizabeth Rex” — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Actress in a principal role — musical
Caroline O’Connor — “Follies” — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Actor or actress in a revue
Edgar Blackmon — “Who Do We Think We Are?” — The Second City
Solo performance
Timothy Edward Kane — “An Iliad” — Court Theatre
Actor in a supporting role — play
Brian Dennehy — “The Iceman Cometh” — Goodman Theatre
Actor in a supporting role — musical
Alex Goodrich — “Hero the Musical” — Marriott Theatre
Actress in a supporting role — play
Natalie West — “The Butcher of Baraboo” — A Red Orchid Theatre
Actress in a supporting role — musical
Hollis Resnik — “Follies” — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
New work — play
Ayad Akhtar — “Disgraced” — American Theater Company in special arrangement with The Araca Group
Sarah Gubbins — “The Kid Thing” — Chicago Dramatists and About Face Theatre
New work — musical
Aaron Thielen and Michael Mahler — “Hero the Musical” — Marriott Theatre
New adaptation — play
Oren Jacoby — “Invisible Man” — Court Theatre in association with Christopher McElroen Productions
Choreography
Tammy Mader — “Hairspray” — Drury Lane Productions
Original incidental music
Lindsay Jones — “Timon of Athens” — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Music direction
Brad Haak — “Follies” — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Scenic design — large
Kevin Depinet — “The Iceman Cometh” — Goodman Theatre
Scenic design — midsize
Brian Prather — “Freud’s Last Session — Carolyn Rossi Copeland, Robert Stillman and Jack Thomas
Lighting design — large
Natasha Katz — “The Iceman Cometh” — Goodman Theatre
Lighting design — midsize
Michael McNamara — “The Turn of the Screw” — First Folio Theatre
Costume design — large
Virgil C. Johnson — “Follies” — Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Costume design — midsize
Branimira Ivanova — “Cloud 9” — The Gift Theatre
Sound design — large
Mikhail Fiksel — “Oedipus el Rey” — Victory Gardens Theater
Sound design — midsize
Christopher Kriz — “The Turn of the Screw” — First Folio Theatre
Projections/media design
Maya Ciarrocchi — “Crowns” — Goodman Theatre
Artistic specialization
Dennis Watkins — Magic Design — “Death and Harry Houdini” — The House Theatre of Chicago
Special award
Actors’ Equity Association