Suburban theater artists among non-equity Jeff nominees
An Arlington Heights native making his professional Chicago debut was among the nominees for the non-equity Joseph Jefferson Awards recognizing excellence in nonunion Chicago theater.
Max DeTogne, a graduate of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights and North Central College in Naperville, was nominated for his performance as Jesus in Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's acoustic revival of the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Jesus Christ Superstar."
The production also received nominations for best musical, supporting actor Donterrio Johnson, supporting actress Danni Smith, music director Jeremy Ramey and choreographer Brenda Didier.
Didier, a Lincolnshire native, also received directing and choreography nods for Bailiwick Chicago's "The Wild Party," while Glen Ellyn native Chris Hainsworth received a nomination for his adaptation of Terry Pratchett's "Monstrous Regiment" for Lifeline Theatre.
Woodridge native Justin Adair received a supporting actor nomination for his performance in Griffin Theatre's "Titanic." Griffin's beautifully intimate chamber version of the 1997 Maury Yeston-Peter Stone musical also received nominations for production, ensemble, director Scott Weinstein, music director Elizabeth Doran and costume designer Rachel Sypniewski.
Leading all productions with 10 nominations was The Hypocrites' epic "All Our Tragic," a galvanizing production of all 32 surviving Greek tragedies adapted and directed by founder Sean Graney, who received nominations for director and new adaptation. Graney also received directing and adaptation nods in the musical category for The Hypocrites' revisionist version of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta "H.M.S. Pinafore."
"All Our Tragic" also picked up nominations for production, ensemble, supporting actor Walter Briggs, supporting actress Erin Barlow and the creative team including lighting designer Jared Moore, costume designer Alison Siple, sound designer Kevin O'Donnell and fight choreographer Ryan Borque.
The Hypocrites led all companies with 15 total nominations in both the musical and play categories.
The 42nd annual non-equity Jeff Awards ceremony takes place June 8 at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. Tickets are available at jeffawards.org.
See dailyherald.com for a complete list of nominees.