2012 Equity Jeff Award Nominations Announced

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were "Jeff Recommended," which made them eligible for award nominations.

The 44th Annual Jeff Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area will be held on Monday, October 15, at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Pre-show appetizers and cash bar will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the Awards Ceremony, directed by Michael Weber, will begin at 7:30 p.m., with a buffet and reception immediately following. Musical numbers featuring cast members from nominated musicals and video segments from nominated plays will highlight the 44th Annual Jeff Awards Equity Wing Nominees – August 21, 2012

Advance purchase tickets, which include the ceremony and buffets, are $75 ($55 for members of Actors' Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Stage Managers' Association, The Dramatists Guild of America, and American Federation of Musicians).

The evening is black tie optional and the public is cordially invited to attend. To purchase tickets, visit the Jeff Awards website at www.jeffawards.org. For more information, contact Equity Chair Merril Prager at equitywing@jeffawards.org.

2012 EQUITY JEFF AWARD NOMINEES INCLUDE:

PRODUCTION – PLAY – LARGE

Angels in America, Parts One and Two - Court Theatre

Clybourne Park - Steppenwolf Theatre Company

The Convert - Goodman Theatre in association with Center Theatre Group and McCarter Theatre Center

Elizabeth Rex - Chicago Shakespeare Theater

The Iceman Cometh - Goodman Theatre

In the Next Room or the vibrator play – Victory Gardens Theater

Invisible Man - Court Theatre in association with Christopher McElroen Productions

Mr. Rickey Calls A Meeting - Lookingglass Theatre Company

Oedipus el Rey - Victory Gardens Theater

PRODUCTION – PLAY – MIDSIZE

Blizzard '67 - Chicago Dramatists

Chesapeake - Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

Death and Harry Houdini - The House Theatre of Chicago

Disgraced - American Theater Company in special arrangement with The Araca Group

Enron - TimeLine Theatre Company

Fish Men - Goodman Theatre presents the Teatro Vista production

Freud's Last Session - Carolyn Rossi Copeland, Robert Stillman, and Jack Thomas present the Barrington Stage Production

Immediate Family - Paul Boskind, Ruth Hendel and Stephen Hendel by special arrangement with Goodman Theatre, and in association with About Face Theatre Company