The Joseph Jefferson awards committee announced this year's Non-Equity Jeff award nominees (formerly known as "Jeff citations") last night. At a minute after midnight, Chris, Chris & Kris posted the list to the Trib and Time Out Chicago blogs, respectively. The most-nominated companies— are Bailiwick Repertory Theatre and Oak Park's Circle Theatre, with a baker’s dozen and dozen mentions each, respectively. Lifeline Theatre's The Island of Dr. Moreau is in contention for nine play-related awards......

The Lake County Sheriff says the crash that killed 14 horses was "completely avoidable and inexcusable." The driver, James E. Anderson, 34 of North Dakota, was hauling 59 Belgian draft horses in a double-decker semi truck. He's been charged with disobeying a traffic control device and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and he may face additional charges. Apparently 59 horses is way too many to pack in one truck; according to one......

When a theatrical production in Chicago receives seven Jeff Awards, there's definitely something buzz-worthy about it. Picking up the awards for Outstanding New Work, Production, Director, Ensemble, Original Music, Projection Design and Choreography, The House Theatre's production of The Sparrow was the must-see show earlier this year. Everyone around town was trying to get tickets. When the show extended its run another six-weeks, seats sold out in a matter of days, setting box office records......

At last night’s Joseph Jefferson Awards gala, the Jeff Committee made a rather forceful argument for North Side theater fans to drag their cultured butts to the South Side. Hyde Park’s Court Theater dominated the proceedings, netting 10 total Jeffs for their highly acclaimed interpretations of Fences, August Wilson’s seminal play, and Man of La Mancha, Dale Wasserman, Joe Darion and Mitch Leigh’s popular musical. The Quixotic musical racked up more awards than better-advertised contenders......

Jeff’s back and he’s a little less predictable this year. This morning, the Joseph Jefferson Committee announced its 2006 nominations for Equity theater professionals (a.k.a. the Jeff Equity Awards). Jeff showered the most praise (9 noms) on another musical revival: Drury Lane’s Grand Hotel. The perennially loved Goodman, Court, and Marriott each received 13 nominations, but the big story is about the musicals. This year, out of town shows like Urinetown and Spelling Bee and......

The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee showed much love for non-Equity shows last night, handing out thirty-seven Citation Awards for 2005-2006 productions. In the city of Burnham, companies making no small plans were rewarded. The Kentucky Cycle Parts 1 and 2, Infamous Commonwealth Theatre’s six-hour historical epic, won Best Play and three other awards (winners pictured at right). Bailiwick’s Kiss of the Spider Woman won seven total citations, including Best Musical. Unlike the Oscars or Tonys,......

Nominations for The Joseph Jefferson Awards Citation Wing, recognizing the finest work from scrappy but brilliant non-Equity theater companies, were announced this morning. A local, less insufferable version of New York’s Tonys, the Jeff Awards recognize excellence among productions that opened between last April and this March. Click here to learn (and possibly understand) the nominations process. Queen Lucia rules the musical nominations; Lifeline’s original adaptation of E.F. Benson’s operatic rivalry tale leads all productions......

As prelude to last night’s Jeff Equity Awards, the Tribune published a love letter to Chicago’s theater community rebutting the notion of its inferiority to New York counterparts. To paraphrase, our stages have more street-level character, our productions ooze talent and substance, and our improv troupes put them to shame. So it’s disappointing that the Trib hasn’t seen fit (as of this writing) to follow up their big wet kiss with any news from last......