In New York, it’s common for theater critics to weigh in with their choices in advance of the Tony Awards and other kudos in the theater business. That’s been rarer, historically, in Chicago. Nonetheless, the Equity Jeff Awards are Monday, and of the 81 Equity-affiliated theater productions nominated from the 2024-25 season, I saw some 75 of them. So, with apologies for the limitations imposed by that caveat, here are shows and people in some select categories that I think especially deserve to win during the ceremony Monday night — which this year returns to the city at the Harris Theater.
I’ve often been respectfully critical of the Jeff Awards committee, with its plethora of ties and ever-growing list of categories and nominees, so I have forced myself to pick one winner, even when it is very hard. And, for the record, I’m only talking here about shows that were nominated, even though I had a somewhat different list myself.
So here goes.
Production of a play (large theaters)
There are many excellent shows in this top category. But “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” at Chicago Shakespeare was a re-staging from Broadway, director Ron OJ Parson has done “East Texas Hot Links” before, “Prayer for the French Republic” at Northlight was almost great, and “Iraq, But Funny” was a very impressive staging in progress. For me, the righteous choice is between three gutsy, gorgeous stagings, worthy winners all: “Berlin” at Court Theatre, “A Raisin in the Sun,” also at Court (what a year they had!), and “Translations” at Writers Theatre. I’m going with the exquisite “Translations,” although I suspect the committee will make a different selection.
Production of a musical (large)
I didn’t care too much for the Paramount’s circus-fueled “Cats,” “Million Dollar Quartet” was “Million Dollar Quartet,” and the Goodman’s “The Color Purple” had a lot in common with a prior staging. With a shoutout to the improbable intense charms of “The Little Mermaid” at Drury Lane, the two worthiest nominees here are “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” at Writers Theatre and “Falsettos” at Court Theatre. I’m going with the achingly lovely “Falsettos” but no complaints here if “Natasha” gets the nod.
Revue
This is always a weird grab-bag of sketch comedy at Second City, Black Ensemble’s musical biographies and, this year, director Scott Weinstein’s production of “Always … Patsy Cline,” which I think is a musical, not a revue. But it was fabulous and deserves the nod.
2025 Equity Jeff Awards: Paramount, Court and Goodman Theatres top the nominations
Director of a play (large)
Braden Abraham’s work on “Translations” was magnificent, but given the complexity of Mickle Maher’s adaptation of “Berlin,” this one should rightly go to Charles Newell.
Director of a musical (large)
With an admiring nod to Connor Gallagher, who directed the best “Titanic” I’ve ever seen, and to Nick Bowling for his moving “Falsettos,” this one deserves to go to Katie Spelman, who both directed and choreographed a powerful, visually gorgeous staging of “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” that perfectly matched the aesthetics of Writers Theatre’s home.
Ensemble of a play
This famously sought-after award has a bevy of admirable nominees. For the record, I did not think the cast of “Noises Off” at Steppenwolf cohered enough to warrant a nomination. I see this as a choice between the cast of David Cromer’s production of “The Antiquities” at the Goodman and “Translations.” Given that “The Antiquities” was a re-staging of a New York production, my pick is “Translations.”
Ensemble of a musical
Once again, many fine ensembles populate the list of nominees. I’m tempted by the cast of “Titantic” at the Marriott Theatre, which pulled off the best ensemble singing of the year, with only “Natasha” as the real competition. But I’m going with “Falsettos,” given how much those actors gave of themselves.
New work
The Jeff Awards typically split this prize between two or more worthy winners and there are many on this list, including the aforementioned “Berlin.” My pick, with the benefit of time and an awareness of the important of works being made in Chicago, is Atra Asdou’s “Iraq, But Funny.” This piece was far from flawless but it embodies the spirit of this Jeff.
Performer in a musical
At least two winners are chosen for this non-gendered award, filled with knockout nominees. J. Harrison Ghee, a Broadway star, certainly was at the heart of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” at the Goodman, and Brittney Mack was terrific in “The Color Purple.” But if we’re not being parochial, I’d go with the visiting Danny Horn, who played Ray Davies in “Sunny Afternoon” at Chicago Shakespeare, and with Stephen Schellhardt, doing the best work of his long career in “Falsettos.”
Performer in a revue
No question here for me: With admirable help from Aja Alcazar, Bri Sudia (as Louise) in “Always … Patsy Cline” turned what can be seen as a supporting role into a delight from start to finish. And Tamara Batiest was fabulous as the “mature” Patti LuPone in Black Ensemble’s “That’s What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne and Patti.”
Scenic design (large)
This should go to Paramount Theatre’s Jeffrey D. Kmiec for “Frozen,” who solved a lot of prior problems with this show and delighted his audience at the same time.
Costume design (large)
My pick is Mara Blumenfeld, also for “Frozen” for precisely those reasons. Big props, though, to Ryan Park and Zhang Yu of “The Little Mermaid” at Drury Lane.
Lighting design (large)
I’m sticking with “Frozen” and the work of Greg Hofmann. Big kudos, though, to Yael Lubetzky (“Natasha”) and Ryan O’Gara (“Little Mermaid”).
Sound design (large)
In this case, I am going with Michael Daly for “Titanic,” given that Marriott never has sounded better, although the work of Eric Backus in “Natasha” was also phenomenal.
Finally …
To all of the stellar nominees for best performer in a supporting role in a musical, good luck beating out Sawyer Smith as Ursula in “The Little Mermaid.” That was a star performance, if ever there was one.
And, as we always say, congratulations to all the nominees.
The 57th anniversary Equity Jeff Awards will be presented in a ceremony Sept. 29 at the Harris Theater; more information at www.jeffawards.org.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
cjones5@chicagotribune.com