The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee couldn’t agree on which plays were the best of the season, but they were in total agreement about which musical was most outstanding. Theo Ubique ’s production of Chess garnered seven awards at the Non-Equity Jeff Awards Monday night, capturing almost all the pieces coveted by Bohemian Theatre Ensemble . Boho, like Ubique, got 11 nominations overall and eight for its production of The Glorious Ones, and yet only came away with two awards. In fact, no other production even came close to Chess’ Jeff success. Profiles Theatre ’s production of Killer Joe got three awards, and two other productions—Strawdog’s St. Crispin’s Day and House Theatre’s Wilson Wants It All—garnered two awards.

Chess’ awards Monday night include production of a musical, directors (Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier), principal musical actor (Courtney Crouse), principal musical actress (Maggie Portman), supporting musical actor (John B. Leen), choreography (Didier) and music direction (Ryan Brewster).

Kate Garassino is the only musical actor NOT affiliated with the Ubique production. She won for supporting musical actress for Bailiwick Repertory’s Bombs Away!, one of the last plays Bailiwick produced before it changed its name and tweaked its mission.

For Portman, this was her second Jeff in a row in the principal actress category. Last year, she won for Ubique’s production of Evita.

In the non-musical realm, the winners are scattered among many of Chicago’s outstanding productions. The committee loved Killer Joe so much they gave it the production of a play award, plus a directing nod for Rick Snyder and best actor nod for Darrell W. Cox. But Raven Theatre ’s Twelve Angry Men snuck in for the ensemble award. Rounding out the play acting categories are Kendra Thulin (principal actress for Steep’s bit season hit, Harper Regan) Peter Oyloe (supporting actor for Redtwist’s The Pillowman) and Nancy Friedrich and Vanessa Greenway (who shared supporting actress awards for Infamous Commonwealth’s The Crucible Vitalist Theatre’s The Night Season, respectively).

Dream Theatre also made a big impression on the Jeff Committee this season, which ran April 1 through March 31. In its first year of eligibility, Dream swiped an award for Trevor Watkin’s incidental music in The Black Duckling.

Bohemian Theatre Company was undoubtedly disappointed by tonight’s ceremony. It walked in with 11 nominations, eight for their musical The Glorious Ones. Alas, costume designer Theresa Ham was the lone recipient for that production. And Boho’s only other award was for John Zuiker’s sound design for I Am My Own Wife.

Lifeline Theatre also walked away with only two awards—out of 13 nominations for three shows. Frances Limoncelli won the adaptation award for Busman's Honeymoon; and Geoff Coates won the fight choreography award for Treasure Island.

2010 Non-Equity Jeff Award Winners

(to see all the nominees, click here)

PRODUCTION - PLAY

PRODUCTION - MUSICAL

DIRECTOR - PLAY

Rick Snyder - Killer Joe - Profiles Theatre

DIRECTOR - MUSICAL

Fred Anzevino & Brenda Didier - Chess - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre i/a/w Michael James

ENSEMBLE

SPECIAL AWARD

Circle Theatre