Chicago's Wicked eligible for Jeff's?

Just wondering what everyone thought about this. Apparently there's a lot of controversy whether or not it should be nominated for Jeffs (our version of Tony's). If it's decided it can be nominated, it will go in for five categories, including an Ana nom.

Personally, I hope it gets in, because it IS a chicago production, and the actors/producers deserve a chicago honor.

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Updated On: 8/22/05 at 12:40 PM

when are the awards.

It is...but the category would be uncertain. The tour is eligible for non-resident production, but what they consider the sit-down remains to be seen. I think all the previous sit-downs: Joseph, Show Boat, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Miss Saigon, Ragtime, and Les Miserables were all considered non-resident, because the downtown venues aren't theatre companies that produce their own shows, they are rental venues.

I sure hope not. The Jeffs are a great way to showcase great chicago area theare. Wicked (as a sit down show or not) is a superproduced monster, invading every city accross the US. It's a machine more than a musical. If it is nominated I just hope it doesnt overshaddow the great works going on elsewhere in the city.

Wow Theatreboy way to not get the least bit melodramatic! Bravo dude! I especially like that part about it invading every city in the country and is more of a monster than a musical! You really batted a thousand with that crack, it being as factually incorrect as it is stupid.

I'm sorry you don't seem to care for popular musicals. The cold fact is, if you don't produce shows people want to see, there will be no theatre. Go down to Randolph street and see what it looks like before and after a performance of Wicked. SO many people in restaurants, in stores, in cabs-- I could not even begin to guess how many millions of dollars this show is pumping into the economy. My cab driver the other night could barely speak English, but was enthusiastic about one thing: "Wicked! Wicked so good! Business good, play good! Every body know Wicked!"

And of course, the show is providing work for plenty of Chicago actors. Apart from Gene Weygant and Rondi Reed, the ensemble is stuffed with Chicagoans, one of which was quoted recently as saying that Wicked was the best job he'd ever had: Best pay, more calls to his agent and best of all, he said it was the show his parents LOVED taking their friends to.

how do these awards work? how do they vote and stuff? like what would the tour & sit down prod. be up against? Are they considering like best acting and best tech, because technically both of the shows are basically the same, sets & lighting & costumes.

According to an article in PerformInk, it will be judged alongside any musicals produced by Chicago theatres such as Goodman's Purlie. There is some question as to the elegibility of the design or other elements duplicating the Broadway production (directing, choreography, sets, lights and costumes).

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That makes sense Darryl. The Purlie production was first stages in California I beleive and will be taken to New York, so it's a similar situation.

And the Jeffs, unlike the Tonys, will award as many trophys as they see fit. They can Nominate 4 people and then decide all 4 deserve the award, so no one will be screwed by "Wicked."

And Ripped, all theatres that belong to the league are eligible to be nominated in various categories-- it's a local Tonys basically. They award for design and acting as well as best production and ensemble in many categories. They announce nominees then vote then present the awards. Tours have always been eligible in their own category.

I verified with the Jeff Committee and "Wicked" will be eligible for a nomination. They have discontinued the non-resident category (no doubt because tours aren't here long enough to be eligible). The nominations will be made in September. I have no doubts that had they not discontinued the non-resident category that that would be the category, based on history.

Since Ana went to Northwestern University, her winning would be rather nice. I don't think most of the local theatre would react kindly if "Wicked" won for elements which are reproduced from the New York production (sets, costumes, choreography, etc.)

I believe that only ONE Jeff award is awarded per category. The Non-Equity Jeff citations give as many as they see fit, to several different winners, but the Equity awards only hand out one. Unless things have changed from a few years back...