Jeff Awards Go Long and Loud

Backstage: "The committee for the Joseph Jefferson Awards handed out its annual awards for excellence in Chicago-area theatre in a long but exuberant ceremony Monday night, one that featured a few surprises and a bevy of first-time winners — about 90 percent were freshman recipients. Held at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Ill., the 40th annual Jeff Awards had two winners in several major categories for the first time, as the committee distinguished between large and midsize theatres (based on a company's budget)."