CHESS, KILLER JOE et al. Win Big at Jeff Awards Jun. 7
The Jeff Awards for the 2009-2010 season of non-equity theater in Chicago were presented on June 7, 2010, the Chicago Sun-Times reported today. Tracy Letts' (AUGUST:OSAGE COUNTY) KILLER JOE, presented by the Profiles Theatre, won the award for best production of a play, while CHESS, written by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Bjorn Ulvaeus and presented by the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James, won the award for best production of a musical. Both productions also picked up additional awards--CHESS for best director, choreographer, principal actor, principal actress, supporting actor, and musical direction and KILLER JOE for best director and principal actor.
In addition, two productions shared the prize for best new work. These were Ellen Fairey's GRACELAND and Michael Rohd and Philip C. Clapperich's WILSON WANTS IT ALL.
The ceremony was hosted by Frances Limoncelli, a member of the Lifeline Theatre's artistic ensemble, and Kevin Bellie, the artistic director of the Circle Theatre.
The Jeff Awards has been honoring outstanding theatre artists annually since it was established in 1968. With up to 50 members representing a wide variety of backgrounds in theatre, it is committed to celebrating the vitality of Chicago area theatre by recognizing excellence through its recommendations, awards, and honors. The Jeff Awards fosters the artistic growth of area theatres and theatre artists and promotes educational opportunities, audience appreciation, and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community. Jeff members evaluate over 250 theatrical productions and hold two awards ceremonies annually. Originally chartered to recognize only Equity productions, the Jeff Awards established the Non-Equity Wing in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theatre. The next Equity Awards Ceremony, honoring productions presented under union contracts, in a recent change of date, will now be held on Monday October 25, 2010, at Drury Lane Oakbrook in Oakbrook Terrace.
To see the full list of award winners, visit www.jeffawards.org.
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