First-time nominee Infamous Commonwealth Theatre Company's ambitious production of The Kentucky Cycle, Parts 1 and 2 received the Jeff Citation for Outstanding Production and Director – Play, and Bailiwick Repertory Theatre's Kiss of the Spider Woman received the Jeff Citation for Outstanding Production and Director – Musical.
The Jeff Citations are non-competitive, meaning that there can be multiple recipients, and Outstanding Director - Play honors also went to Jonathan Wilson for Pegasus Players' production of August Wilson's Two Trains Running.
The Jeff Citation for Outstanding Ensemble, "a highly-coveted award which has become emblematic of the sense of community and sharing which characterizes Chicago theatre companies and artists," went to the cast of The Kentucky Cycle, Parts 1 and 2.
Fred Solari, who recently died, received a Special Award from The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee. A theatre and dance producer, manager of the Athenaeum, and supporter and patron to many emerging theatre and dance companies, Solari was recognized for his contributions to the theatre and arts community in Chicago.
Bailiwick Repertory Theatre garnered eight Citations (including one in association with The Hypocrites) and Infamous Commonwealth Theatre received four. Three of the top six producing entities were co-productions, reflecting a recent trend in non-Equity theatres joining forces and resources. Two Citations went to Prop Thtr in association with Rasaka Theatre Company for their South Asian-themed play with music and dance, The Masrayana.
The writing categories of Outstanding New Work – Play and Outstanding New Adaptation each had two recipients. New Work – Play recipients were Margaret Lewis for Fellow Travellers at Stage Left Theatre and William C. Kovacsik for The Masrayana at Prop Thtr in association with Rasaka Theatre Company. Jeff Citations for New Adaptation went to Curt Columbus for his new translation of Three Sisters produced by Strawdog Theatre Company, and John Hildreth's adaptation of the novel Johnny Tremain produced by Lifeline Theatre.
This season included so many world premiere musicals offered by non-Equity companies that the Jeff Committee awarded a Citation for Outstanding New Work – Musical to Christina Calvit and George Howe for Lifeline Theatre's Queen Lucia.
The 2006 Jeff Citations Award recipients follow.
Production – Play
The Kentucky Cycle, Parts 1 and 2 – Infamous Commonwealth Theatre
Production – Musical
Kiss of the Spider Woman – Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Ensemble
The Kentucky Cycle, Parts 1 and 2 – Infamous Commonwealth Theatre
Director – Play
Jason Kae & Genevieve Thompson – The Kentucky Cycle, Parts 1 and 2 – Infamous Commonwealth Theatre
Jonathan Wilson – Two Trains Running – Pegasus Players
Director – Musical or Revue
Susan Finque – Kiss of the Spider Woman – Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
New Work – Play
Margaret Lewis – Fellow Travellers – Stage Left Theatre
William C. Kovacsik – The Masrayana – Prop Thtr in association with Rasaka Theatre Company
New Work – Musical
Christina Calvit & George Howe – Queen Lucia – Lifeline Theatre
New Adaptation
Curt Columbus – Three Sisters – Strawdog Theatre Company
John Hildreth – Johnny Tremain – Lifeline Theatre
Actress in a Principal Role – Play
Donna McGough – Death of a Salesman – The Hypocrites
Rebekah Ward-Hays – The Skin of Our Teeth – BackStage Theatre Company
Actress in a Principal Role – Musical
Monique Whittington – Josephine Tonight! – Theatre Building Chicago
Actor in a Principal Role – Play
Paul D'Addario – Hurlyburly – The Gift Theatre Company
Jürgen Hooper – What's Wrong With Angry? – Circle Theatre
Paul Noble – True West – The Hypocrites
Alfred H. Wilson – Two Trains Running – Pegasus Players
Actor in a Principal Role – Musical
Ryan Lanning – Kiss of the Spider Woman – Bailiwick Repertory Theatre Stan Q. Wash – Kiss of the Spider Woman – Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Actor in a Supporting Role – Play
Eric Hoffmann – Loose Knit – The Actors Workshop Theatre
Rian Jairell – The Kentucky Cycle, Parts 1 and 2 – Infamous Commonwealth Theatre
Actor in a Supporting Role – Musical
Stephen Feder – I Sing! – White Horse Theatre Company
Actress in a Supporting Role – Play
Millie Hurley Spencer – Dancing at Lughnasa – Raven Theatre Company
Actress in a Supporting Role – Musical or Revue
Danielle Brothers – A Jacques Brel Revue: Songs of Love and War – Theo Ubique Theatre Company in association with Michael James
Scenic Design
Brian Sidney Bembridge – Three Sisters – Strawdog Theatre Company
Jack Magaw – Two Trains Running – Pegasus Players
Lighting Design
Jared Moore – Kiss of the Spider Woman – Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Costume Design
Laura M. Dana – Seascape – Signal Ensemble Theatre
Alison Siple – Time and the Conways – Griffin Theatre Company
Sound Design
Mikhail Fiksel & Michael Griggs – Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches – The Hypocrites in association with Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Choreography
Brenda Didier – Kiss of the Spider Woman – Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Original Incidental Music
Nikhil Trivedi – The Masrayana – Prop Thtr in association with Rasaka Theatre Company
Music Direction
Kevin O'Donnell – Valentine Victorious – The House Theatre of Chicago
Robert Ollis – Kiss of the Spider Woman – Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Fight Design
Geoff Coates – The Talisman Ring – Lifeline Theatre
Projections Design
Mike Tutaj – Martin Furey's Shot – TimeLine Theatre Company
