Celebrating excellence in Chicago-area Equity theater, the 44th annual Joseph Jefferson Award winners were announced Oct. 15 at a gala event. The evening’s top winners included the Goodman Theatre’s “The Iceman Cometh” (starring Jeff Award winner Brian Dennehy, pictured) and the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s “Follies.” The Goodman’s production of “Iceman” took home six awards, including production, director and the coveted ensemble award, while “Follies” fared similarly well, racking up six statues. In addition, the Jeff Awards gave a special award to the Actors’ Equity Association in celebration of their service to actors and stage managers in the Chicago-area and across the country.
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
