‘London Wall’ and ‘Rent’ win top Non-Equity Jeff Awards

SHARE ‘London Wall’ and ‘Rent’ win top Non-Equity Jeff Awards
londonwall_5.jpg

“London Wall” was named best production of a play at the 2016 Non-Equity Jeff Awards. (Photo: .Michael Brosilow)

This is a city renowned for its storefront theaters, most of which operate outside the Actors Equity union contract — a euphemism for tight budgets, small paychecks and big imagination. So it is only fitting and proper that the annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards celebration of such theaters is a blend of the heartfelt and the cheeky, awash in toasts to great artistry, and full of constant reminders of the powerful work that emerges on stages where the audience is often seated just inches from the performers.

The winners for the 2015-2016 season were announced Monday night at Park West before a sold-out crowd of 700 people. Griffin Theatre Company’s “London Wall,” John Van Druten’s rarely revived drama about women in a London law firm in 1931, was named best production of a play. Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s revival of “Rent,” Jonathan Larson’s modern take on “La Boheme,” received the award for best production of a musical or revue.

Two productions tied for the coveted ensemble award: Steep Theatre Company’s production of “Posh,” a look at a group of Oxford University boys in full debauchery, and Raven Theatre’s production of “Direct from Death Row The Scottsboro Boys,” a searing vaudeville-style rendering of the notorious case of nine African-American teenagers falsely accused of assaulting two white women in Alabama in 1931. (Raven is remounting “Scottsboro Boys” with its original cast July 21-Aug. 21.)

Director Kimberly Senior, whose recent productions include “The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord” (running through June 12 at Northlight Theatre) and “Disgraced” (seen in Chicago as well as on Broadway), was honored with a Special Jeff Award “for her efforts as a mentor to emerging directors, and her advocacy in helping to promote the careers of fellow artists.”

The Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre revival of “Rent” was named best production of a musical at the 2016 Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony. (Photo: ADAM VENESS)

The Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre revival of “Rent” was named best production of a musical at the 2016 Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony. (Photo: ADAM VENESS)

Following is a complete list of the 2016 Non-Equity Jeff Award recipients:

+ PRODUCTION, PLAY: “London Wall,” Griffin Theatre Company.

+ PRODUCTION, MUSICAL OR REVUE: “Rent,” Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre.

+ ENSEMBLE: “Posh,” Steep Theatre Company, and “Direct from Death Row The Scottsboro Boys,” Raven Theatre.

+ DIRECTOR, PLAY: Robin Witt, “London Wall” (Griffin Theatre Company).

+DIRECTOR, MUSICAL OR REVUE: Scott Weinstein, “Rent” (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre).

+ ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE, PLAY: Julian Parker, “The Hairy Ape” (Oracle Theatre).

+ ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE, MUSICAL: Quinton Guyton, “Lawd the CVS is Burning…A Gospel Musical Stage Play” (MPAACT).

+ ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE, PLAY: Amanda Drinkall, “Last Train to Nibroc” (Haven Theatre).

+ ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE, MUSICAL: Courtney Mack, “Heathers: The Musical” (Kokandy Productions).

+ ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, PLAY: JP Pierson , “The Lisbon Traviata” (Eclipse Theatre Company).

+ ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, MUSICAL OR REVUE: Aubrey McGrath, “Rent” (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre).

+ ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, PLAY: Cecelia Wingate, “Byhalia, Mississippi” (The New Colony and Definition Theatre Company).

+ ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, MUSICAL OR REVUE: Amanda Horvath, “Murder Ballad” (Bailiwick Chicago).

+ SOLO PERFORMANCE: Anna Dauzvardis, “Liberty City” (eta Creative Arts Foundation).

+ NEW WORK: Evan Linder, “Byhalia, Mississippi” (The New Colony and Definition Theatre Company).

+ NEW ADAPTATION: Elizabeth Lovelady, “D.O.A.” (Strawdog Theatre Company), and Christina Calvit, “Miss Buncle’s Book” (Lifeline Theatre).

+ CHOREOGRAPHY: Sawyer Smith, “Heathers: The Musical” (Kokandy Productions).

+ ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY: Danny Rockett, “How to Explain the History of Communism to Mental Patients” (Trap Door Theatre).

+ MUSIC DIRECTION: Jeremy Ramey, “Rent” (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre).

+ SCENIC DESIGN: John Wilson, “Byhalia, Mississippi” (The New Colony and Definition Theatre Company).

+ LIGHTING DESIGN: Charles Cooper, “Murder Ballad” (Bailiwick Chicago).

+ COSTUME DESIGN: John Nasca, “Design for Living” (Pride Films and Plays).

+ SOUND DESIGN: Jeffrey Levin, “The Hairy Ape” (Oracle Theatre).

+ ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION: Breon Arzell, Step Master, “The Hairy Ape” (Oracle Theatre).

The Latest
Over the course of just six fast-paced episodes, Esposito creates a memorable character in this crime drama based on the BBC One series “The Driver.”
Ald. Jeanette Taylor, chair of the City Council’s Education Committee chair, said she’s disappointed that Johnson and his allies in the Chicago Teachers Union backed away from the fully-elected, 21-member board he once supported. “This is not going to be as easy a transition as people think,” she said. “We’re used to a top-down system.”
Alex Caruso has been looking for a defensive showing like the one he and his teammates put on display in the win over the Pacers, but Caruso also knows it needs staying power. Could Javonte Green help that process moving forward?
Christian I. Soto, 22, was charged with murder, attempted murder and home invasion, officials announced Thursday. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said earlier investigators haven’t determined a motive for the attacks.
Can a message generated by an algorithm ever match hearing from a human?