NOT ENOUGH JEFF NOMS TO GO AROUND IN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR
Some great performances fail to garner Jeff nominations in exceptional year
The 2016- 2017 theater season in Chicago was, by any measure, an exceptionally great one for musical theater. That is one conclusion to be reached by scanning the list of nominees for the 2016- 2017 Jeff Awards, which honor excellence in Equity professional productions at both “large” and “midsize” theaters in the Chicago area.
The other conclusion? Perhaps as a result of the ever more fierce competition in this field, a couple of altogether fabulous musical productions failed to be nominated, and audiences who caught them might be astounded by their lack of inclusion.
Consider this: The nominations for best “large” production include “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and “Disney’s Little Mermaid” ( both at Paramount Theatre in Aurora); “Crazy for You” ( at the Drury Lane Theatre), and “Parade” ( at Writers Theatre). Sadly, not included were the roof- raising “Jesus Christ Superstar,” featuring an all African- American cast ( at Paramount), and the absolutely beguiling revival of “She Loves Me” ( at Mar- riott Theatre). “The Bridges of Madison County” ( also at Marriott), did garner nominations for both its stellar leads.
On the “midsize” front there are three worthy musical nominees: “In the Heights” and “The Scottsboro Boys” ( both at Porchlight Music Theatre), and “Disney’s Mary Poppins” ( at Mercury Theater Chicago). In addition, the three shows selected for inclusion in the “Best Revue” category — “Marry Me a Little” ( Porchlight), “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” ( Drury Lane) and “Spamilton” ( at The Royal George Theatre) — could all easily be considered full- fledged works of musical theater.
When it comes to plays, the nominations were all over the map, with “large theater” productions including: “Blues for an Alabama Sky” ( at Court Theatre) and “East Texas Hot Links” ( at Writers Theatre), both directed by Ron OJ Parson; “Hand to God” ( Victory Gardens Theatre); “Man in the Ring “( Court Theatre) and “Uncle Vanya” ( Goodman Theatre). Unaccountably missing here is the Goodman Theatre production of Charles Smith’s haunting “Objects in the Mirror,” although it is among the nominees for best new play.
The plays nominated in the “midsize” category include “Born Yesterday” ( Remy Bumppo Theatre); “The Columnist “( American Blues Theater); “End of the Rainbow” ( a play with tons of music, at Porchlight Music Theatre); “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” ( American Blues Theater), and “Silent Sky” ( First Folio Theatre).
The “new play” category gives a good indication of the vast range of work that arrived on Chicago stages and includes: Michael Cristofer’s “Man in the Ring” ( Court Theatre); Selina Fillinger’s “Faceless” ( Northlight Theatre); Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” ( Northlight Theatre); Ike Holter’s “The Wolf at the End of the Block” ( Teatro Vista); Antoinette Nwandu’s “Pass Over” ( Steppenwolf Theatre); Madhuri Shekar’s “Queen” ( Victory Gardens ) and Charles Smith’s “Objects in the Mirror” ( Goodman Theatre).
While all the performers nominated for Jeffs are fully deserving, several notable performances were sadly overlooked, including actresses Tyla Abercrumbie ( in “East Texas Hot Links”), Toya Turner ( in “Blues for an Alabama Sky”), Brittany Burch and Janelle Villas ( in “Pilgrims,” at The Gift Theatre) and Wandachristine ( in “Beauty’s Daughter,” a solo show produced by American Blues Theater), and actors Tom Irwin ( in “The Christians”) and Julian Parker ( in “Pass Over”), both at Steppenwolf.
The complete list of nominees is available at suntimes. com/ entertainment.
The Jeff Awards ceremony ( open to the public) will be held Nov. 6 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, and will include performances from the nominated musicals and revues, pre- show appetizers and a cash bar, and a postshow buffet. For complete information and tickets visit www. jeffawards. org.