Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's CHESS Wins Multiple Jeff Awards

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James swept the Jeff Awards Non-Equity last night with its spring production of Chess. It led in all categories as a multiple recipient with its 7 awards for Chess-the most for any theatre company, the most for a single production and the only individual to receive two awards.

Fred Anzevino received his third consecutive direction award for a musical production, starting in 2008 with Cabaret, 2009 with Evita and now this year with Chess. Anzevino co-directed Chess with Brenda Didier, who received both direction and choreography awards. Didier's unique choreography is well known, but this is her first time to direct.

It is the second straight year Theo Ubique received the best musical production nod, last year for Evita and this year for Chess. Other Evita and Chess repeaters are Didier for choreography, Maggie Portman for principal actress in a musical and Ryan Brewster for music direction. Also garnering Jeff Awards for Chess are Courtney Crouse for principal actor in a musical and John B Leen for supporting actor in a musical.

"This production of Chess is one of my proudest achievements because of the wonderful group of directors, actors and crew who came together to create such a complex show," said Fred Anzevino, Theo Ubique's co-founder and artistic director. "I love the music, and with the help of Brenda's vision and the outstanding talents of every member of the ensemble, saw this show come to life beyond my expectations."

Chess, not previously produced in Chicago for 20 years, closed April 25 and was sold out for most of the run. "If I could find a way to bring the same people back together, I'd love to remount this production of Chess, so the many people who missed it the first time around could experience it," Anzevino added.

Last year, Theo Ubique received six Jeff Awards for its production of Evita. The theatre company now has received a total of 25 Jeff Awards since the 2001-2002 season.

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