GRIFFIN THEATRE, THEO UBIQUE, STEEP THEATRE TRIUMP HAT NON- EQUITY JEFFS

It was a grand night for Chicago’s theater community on Monday as the winners of the 45th annual Non- Equity Jeff Awards were announced at a gala ceremony at the Athenaeum Theatre. The awards recognize excellence achieved by area theater companies ( in productions staged between April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018) which do not operate under Equity union contracts.

Griffin Theatre Company’s production of “Ragtime” and Theo Ubique’s production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” won four awards apiece, while Steep Theatre received three awards for “Lela & Co” and another for “The Invisible Hand.”

Strawdog Theatre Company was honored with a special award for “30 years of collaboration as an innovative and provocative Ensemble.” Here is the complete list of 2018 winners: Production, musical: “Ragtime,” Griffin Theatre Company Production, play: “Lela & Co.,” Steep Theatre Company Director, musical: Scott Weinstein, “Ragtime,” Griffin Theatre Company Director, play: Robin Witt, “Lela & Co.,” Steep Theatre Company Performer in a principal role, musical: Jacquelyne Jones ( Mrs. Lovett), “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Philip Torre ( Sweeney Todd), “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Performer in a principal role, play: Cruz Gonzalez- Cadel ( Lela), “Lela & Co.,” Steep Theatre Company Michael B. Woods ( Cyrano), “Cyrano,” BoHo Theatre Performer in a supporting role, musical: Katherine Thomas ( Sarah), “Ragtime,” Griffin Theatre Company Missy Wise ( Blanche), “Bonnie & Clyde,” Kokandy Productions Performer in a supporting role, play: Owais Ahmed ( Bashir), “The Invisible Hand,” Steep Theatre Company Stella Martin ( Sherry), “Nice Girl,” Raven Theatre Company Ensemble: “Ragtime,” Griffin Theatre Company Newmusical: Jay Paul Deratany, Joe Stevens and Keaton Wooden, “The Civility of Albert Cashier,” Permoveo Productions i/a/ w Pride Films and Plays Newplay: Loy A. Webb, “The Light,” The New Colony Music direction: Jeremy Ramey, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Choreography: Jenna Schoppe, “Yank! A World War II Love Story,” Pride Films and Plays Fight choreography: Kyle Encinas, “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity,” Red Theater Chicago Original music in a play: Jesse Case, “Foxfinder,” Interrobang Theatre Project Sound design: Justin Glombicki, “In the Soundless Awe,” Saltbox Theatre Collective Costume design: Beth Laske- Miller, “Shockheaded Peter,” Black Button Eyes Productions Lighting design: James Kolditz, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Scenic design: Eric Luchen, “Foxfinder,” Interrobang Theatre Project

MICHAEL BROSILOW TOP: ( Center of photo, left to right) Laura McClain, Ben Miller and Larry Baldacci with the cast of Griffin Theatre Company’s production of “Ragtime,” directed by ScottWeinstein.

CODYJOLLYPHOTOGRAPHY MIDDLE: Mrs. Lovett ( Jacquelyne Jones) and Sweeney Todd ( Philip Torre) plan their revenge in Theo Ubique’s production of “Sweeney Todd.”

COLE SIMON BOTTOM: Stephanie Stockstill ( from left), Cody Jolly and Kevin Webb in Black Button Eyes Productions’ “Shockheaded Peter.”

GREG GILMAN Cruz Gonzalez- Cadel stars in Cordelia Lynn’s play, “Lela & Co.,” at Steep Theatre.