The Writers Theatre production of Tom Stoppard’s “Leopoldstadt” won five Joseph Jefferson Awards at Monday night’s ceremony at the Harris Theater, including best large production, best director for Carey Perloff and the traditionally coveted award for best acting ensemble.
Artistic director Braden Abraham, who took a risk on such a large show (with an all-Chicago cast), paid tribute to its author, the late Tom Stoppard: “the man who gave us the words.”
In the musical category, the Off-Loop staging of Dave Molloy’s “Octet” was also a big favorite of the Jeff Committee, winning four awards including best midsized musical and best director of a musical for the rapidly emerging director Keira Fromm.
Marriott Theatre’s production of “A Little Night Music” took home the Jeff for best large musical, while A Red Orchid Theatre’s staging of “Birds of North America” won for best midsized production of a play.
Brendan Hunt’s solo show, “The Movement You Need,” which premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre, also found favor with the all-volunteer committee, winning four awards. The star and co-writer of “Ted Lasso” and his creative team attended the ceremony.
Hunt delivered surely the most entertaining acceptance speech in the long history of the Jeffs, a bespoke monologue paying tribute to his roots in Chicago and mentioning all the educational institutions he attended, from the Nettelhorst School to the Kenwood Academy.
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Major acting awards were also won by Al’Jaleel McGhee, Gwendolyn Whiteside, Cody Combs, Allsun O’Malley, Maxel McLoud Schingen and Kelvin Roston Jr. Black Ensemble Theatre, celebrating its 50th birthday, was honored with a special Jeff. Founder Jackie Taylor asked everyone in the room who had been involved in a Black Ensemble show, or seen one, to stand. Such has been the impact of her company that few were left seated.
A full list of winners can be found below.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic
Winners of the 2026 Equity Jeff Awards
PRODUCTION OF A PLAY (LARGE)
“Leopoldstadt” — Writers Theatre
PRODUCTION OF A PLAY (MIDSIZE)
“Birds of North America” — A Red Orchid Theatre
PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL (LARGE)
“A Little Night Music” — Marriott Theatre
PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL (MIDSIZE)
“Octet” — Raven Theatre
PRODUCTION OF A REVUE
“Men of Soul” — Black Ensemble Theater
ENSEMBLE FOR A PLAY
“Leopoldstadt” — Writers Theatre
ENSEMBLE FOR A MUSICAL OR REVUE
“Octet” — Raven Theatre
NEW WORK
Marco Antonio Rodriguez — “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” at Goodman Theatre
James Sherman — “The First Lady of Television” at Northlight Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A PLAY (LARGE)
Carey Perloff — “Leopoldstadt” at Writers Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A PLAY (MIDSIZE)
Kirsten Fitzgerald — “Birds of North America” at A Red Orchid Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL (LARGE)
Trent Stork — “Come From Away” at Paramount Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL (MIDSIZE)
Keira Fromm — “Octet” at Raven Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A REVUE
Daryl D. Brooks — “Men of Soul” at Black Ensemble Theater
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE — PLAY
Al’Jaleel McGhee (Levee) — “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” at Goodman Theatre
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Gwendolyn Whiteside (Lola Delaney) — “Come Back, Little Sheba” at American Blues Theater
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE — MUSICAL
Cody Combs (Evan Hansen) — “Dear Evan Hansen” at Paramount Theatre
Allsun O’Malley (Nellie Forbush) — “South Pacific” at Paramount Theatre
SOLO PERFORMANCE
Kelvin Roston Jr. (Donny Hathaway) — “Twisted Melodies” at Northlight Theatre
PERFORMER IN A REVUE
Maxel McLoud Schingen (Prince, James Ingram, El DeBarge) — “Men of Soul” at Black Ensemble Theater
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE — PLAY
Audrey Francis (Lon Lavecchia/Daniela Lavecchia) — “Catch As Catch Can” at Steppenwolf Theatre
Wesley Taylor (Ned Seton) — “Holiday” at Goodman Theatre
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE — MUSICAL
Veronica Garza (Countess Charlotte Malcolm) at “A Little Night Music” — Marriott Theatre
Claudia Quesada (Gloria Fajardo) — “On Your Feet!” — Drury Lane Productions
SCENIC DESIGN (LARGE)
Walt Spangler — “Holiday” at Goodman Theatre
SCENIC DESIGN (MIDSIZE)
Grant Sabin — “Things With Friends” at American Blues Theater
COSTUME DESIGN (LARGE)
Alex Jaeger — “Leopoldstadt” at Writers Theatre
COSTUME DESIGN (MIDSIZE)
Aly Greaves Amidei — “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley” at Buffalo Theatre Ensemble
SOUND DESIGN (LARGE)
Gareth Fry — “Paranormal Activity” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
SOUND DESIGN (MIDSIZE)
Ethan Korvne — “Birds of North America” at A Red Orchid Theatre
LIGHTING DESIGN (LARGE)
Anna Watson — “Paranormal Activity” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
LIGHTING DESIGN (MIDSIZE)
Eric Watkins — “Oak” at Raven Theatre
CHOREOGRAPHY
Luis Salgado — “On Your Feet!” at Drury Lane Productions
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MUSIC DIRECTION
Nick Sula — “Octet” at Raven Theatre
ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY
Ethan Korvne — “Birds of North America” at A Red Orchid Theatre
PROJECTION DESIGN
Anthony Churchill — “Dear Evan Hansen” at Paramount Theatre
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
Chris Fisher — illusion design — “Paranormal Activity” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Tom Watson — hair, wig and makeup design — “Leopoldstadt” at Writers Theatre
SHORT RUN — PRODUCTION
“The Movement You Need: An Evening with Brendan Hunt” by Tiwary Entertainment Group
SHORT RUN – PERFORMER
Brendan Hunt (Himself) — “The Movement You Need: An Evening with Brendan Hunt — Tiwary Entertainment Group
SHORT RUN – NEW WORK
Brendan Hunt — “The Movement You Need: An Evening with Brendan Hunt” — Tiwary Entertainment Group
SHORT RUN — DESIGN
Nick Solyom — Lighting Design — “The Movement You Need: An Evening with Brendan Hunt” — Tiwary Entertainment Group
IMPRESARIO AWARD FOR STAGE MANAGEMENT
Caitlin I. Quinn — Buffalo Theatre Ensemble