Non-Equity Jeff Award big winners: Theo Ubique, Artistic Home and Raven Theatre companies

Francesca (Kelli Harrington) and Robert (Tommy Thurston) cannot contain their passion in “The Bridges of Madison County” at Theo Ubique.

The Artistic Home, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre and Raven Theatre led the pack Monday night as the 2019 Non-Equity Jeff Awards were presented at the Athenaeum Theatre. The three companies each took home four Jeff Awards. Top honors when to Theo Ubique’s “The Bridges of Madison County” which was named “best production — musical,” and Artistic Home’s “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” which took home the award for “best production— play.” Both productions took home four awards apiece. Raven Theatre took home four honors, for its productions of “Yen,” “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” and “The Gentleman Caller” — the latter, written by Philip Dawkins, named “best new play.”

In addition to the general awards, Trap Door Theatre was presented with a 2019 Non-Equity Special Award to honor the company’s “evocative work” over the past 25 years. The Bucktown storefront has produced 116 shows (including 35 American premieres, 17 world premieres) and has toured Europe 10 times with various works.

Originally organized to recognize only Equity productions, the Jeff Awards since 1973 have recognized outstanding achievement in Non-Equity (non-union) theater works/companies.

The 2018-2019 Non–Equity Jeff Award recipients:

PRODUCTION – MUSICAL: “The Bridges of Madison County” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

PRODUCTION – PLAY: “Requiem for a Heavyweight” – The Artistic Home

DIRECTOR – MUSICAL: Fred Anzevino, “The Bridges of Madison County” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

DIRECTOR – PLAY: John Mossman, “Requiem for a Heavyweight” – The Artistic Home

PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL:

• Kelli Harrington (Francesca), “The Bridges of Madison County” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
• Missy Wise (Alice Murphy), “Bright Star” – BoHo Theatre

Sisters Ernestine (Chanell Bell, left) and Ermina (Brandi Jiminez Lee) adjust to a new life in Brooklyn in the Raven Theatre production of “Crumbs From the Table of Joy.”

PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY:

• Patrick Agada (Eric), “Dutch Masters” – Jackalope Theatre Company
• Mark Pracht (Harlan “Mountain” McClintock), “Requiem for a Heavyweight” – The Artistic Home

PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL:

• Michelle Jasso (Elizaveta Grushinskaya), “Grand Hotel” – Kokandy Productions
• Jonathan Schwart (Otto Kringlein), “Grand Hotel” – Kokandy Productions

PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY:

• Netta Walker, (Jennifer) “Yen” – Raven Theatre
• Brianna Buckley (Lily Anne Green), “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” – Raven Theatre
• August N. Forman (Gina), “Girl in the Red Corner” – Broken Nose Theatre

ENSEMBLE: “Plainclothes” – Broken Nose Theatre

SOLO PERFORMANCE: Sam Krey (Ryan Smithson), “Ghosts of War” – Griffin Theatre Company

NEW MUSICAL: Alex Higgin–Houser and David Kornfeld, “Haymarket” – Underscore Theatre Company

Matt Fletcher (left) and Gregory Geffrard star in Sideshow Theatre’s world premiere of “Tilikum.”

NEW PLAY:

• Kristiana Rae Colon, “Tilikum” – Sideshow Theatre Company
• Philip Dawkins, “The Gentleman Caller” – Raven Theatre

MUSIC DIRECTION: Jeremy Ramey, “The Bridges of Madison County” – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

CHOREOGRAPHY: Breon Arzell, “The Total Bent” – Haven Theatre Company in association with About Face Theatre

FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY: John Tovar, “Girl in the Red Corner” – Broken Nose Theatre

ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY: Coco Elysses, “Tilikum” – Sideshow Theatre Company

Curtis Edward Jackson (left) and Rudy Galvan in Raven Theatre’s world premiere of “The Gentleman Caller.”

PROJECTION DESIGN: Paul Deziel, “Tilikum” – Sideshow Theatre Company

SOUND DESIGN: Petter Wahlback, “Requiem for a Heavyweight” – The Artistic Home

COSTUME DESIGN: John Nasca, “Grand Hotel” – Kokandy Productions

LIGHTING DESIGN: Erik S. Barry, “The Displaced” – Haven Theatre Company

SCENIC DESIGN: Ryan Emens, “Dutch Masters” – Jackalope Theatre Company

ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION: Sam Hubbard (Violence and Intimacy Direction), “Yen” – Raven Theatre