The Writers Theatre manufacturing of “Natasha, Pierre & the Nice Comet of 1812” was probably the most feted manufacturing on the 2025 Jeff Awards, successful 5 awards, together with for finest giant musical, musical ensemble, finest director for Katie Spelman, finest lighting design for Yael Lubetzky, and costume design for Raquel Adorno.
The 57th anniversary Fairness Jeff Awards have been introduced in a ceremony on Monday on the Harris Theater, recognizing the work of the Chicago space’s union-affiliated Fairness theaters. The theater corporations that took residence probably the most wins general this yr have been Court docket Theatre, whose manufacturing of “Berlin” received for finest giant manufacturing of a play, and Shattered Globe Theatre, honored for its stellar revival of the play “Foyer Hero,” the winner for finest midsized manufacturing of a play.
Greatest directing honors went to Spelman, Charles Newell (“Berlin”), Mikael Burke (“A Story of Two Cities” at Shattered Globe) and Nate Santana (“Foyer Hero”). Scott Weinstein received for steering the revue “At all times… Patsy Cline” at Drury Lane.
Jeffs for finest performances throughout numerous classes went to Elliot Esquivel (“Foyer Hero”), Atra Asdou (“Iraq, However Humorous” at Lookingglass Theatre), Brittney Mack (“The Colour Purple” at Goodman Theatre), Stephen Schellhardt (“Falsettos” by Court docket and TimeLine Theatres), and Bri Sudia (“At all times … Patsy Cline”). A number of Chicago theaters celebrating their fiftieth or a centesimal anniversaries got particular awards.
The annual ceremony occurred on the Harris Theater in Millennium Park for the primary time, a return to the town for the celebration. The all-volunteer Jeffs Committee acknowledged 44 award recipients chosen from amongst 214 nominees throughout 32 classes, from 40 theaters and producing entities.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
cjones5@chicagotribune.com
2025 Fairness Jeff Award winners
PRODUCTION OF A PLAY – LARGE: “Berlin” – Court docket Theatre
PRODUCTION OF A PLAY – MIDSIZE: “Foyer Hero” – Shattered Globe Theatre
PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL – LARGE: “Natasha, Pierre & the Nice Comet of 1812” – Writers Theatre
PRODUCTION OF A REVUE: “At all times … Patsy Cline” – Drury Lane Productions
ENSEMBLE OF A PLAY: “Berlin” – Court docket Theatre
ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL: “Natasha, Pierre & the Nice Comet of 1812” – Writers Theatre
NEW WORK
- Atra Asdou – “Iraq, However Humorous” – Lookingglass Theatre Firm
- Mickle Maher – “Berlin” – Court docket Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A PLAY – LARGE: Charles Newell – “Berlin” – Court docket Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A PLAY – MIDSIZE:
- Mikael Burke – “A Story of Two Cities” – Shattered Globe Theatre
- Nate Santana – “Foyer Hero” – Shattered Globe Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL – LARGE: Katie Spelman – “Natasha, Pierre & the Nice Comet of 1812” – Writers Theatre
DIRECTOR OF A REVUE: Scott Weinstein – “At all times… Patsy Cline” – Drury Lane Productions
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY:
- Atra Asdou – “Iraq, However Humorous” – Lookingglass Theatre Firm
- Elliot Esquivel – “Foyer Hero” – Shattered Globe Theatre
PERFORMER IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL
SOLO PERFORMANCE: Jean Claudio – “Memorabilia” – Teatro Vista

PERFORMER IN A REVUE: Bri Sudia – “At all times… Patsy Cline” – Drury Lane Productions
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY:
PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL:
- Sarah Bockel – “Falsettos” – Court docket Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Firm
- Sawyer Smith – “The Little Mermaid” – Drury Lane Productions
CHOREOGRAPHY: Kasey Alfonso – “Cats” – Paramount Theatre
ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY: Christopher Kriz – “A Story of Two Cities” – Shattered Globe Theatre
MUSIC DIRECTION: Ryan T. Nelson – “Titanic The Musical” – Marriott Theatre
SCENIC DESIGN – LARGE:
SCENIC DESIGN – MIDSIZE: Lauren M. Nichols – “Memorabilia” – Teatro Vista
2025 Fairness Jeff Awards: Paramount, Court docket and Goodman Theatres prime the nominations
COSTUME DESIGN – LARGE: Raquel Adorno – “Natasha, Pierre & the Nice Comet of 1812” – Writers Theatre
COSTUME DESIGN – MIDSIZE: Kotryna Hilko – “A Story of Two Cities” – Shattered Globe Theatre
SOUND DESIGN – LARGE: Michael Daly – “Titanic The Musical” – Marriott Theatre
SOUND DESIGN – MIDSIZE: Satya Chávez – “Memorabilia” – Teatro Vista
LIGHTING DESIGN – LARGE: Yael Lubetzky – “Natasha, Pierre & the Nice Comet of 1812” – Writers Theatre
LIGHTING DESIGN – MIDSIZE: Eric Watkins – “A Story of Two Cities” – Shattered Globe Theatre
PROJECTION DESIGN
- Anthony Churchill and Mike Tutaj – “The Da Vinci Code” – Drury Lane Productions
- Michael Salvatore Commendatore – “Iraq, However Humorous” – Lookingglass Theatre Firm
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION
- Chicago Puppet Studio, designers Caitlin McLeod and Zachary Solar – puppet design – “The Little Mermaid” – Drury Lane Productions
- Katie Cordts – wig, hair, and make-up design – “Cats” – Paramount Theatre
- Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi – circus choreography – “Cats” – Paramount Theatre
SHORT RUN – DIRECTION: Charles Newell – “An Iliad” – Court docket Theatre
SHORT RUN – PERFORMER: Timothy Edward Kane (The Poet) – “An Iliad” – Court docket Theatre
IMPRESARIO AWARD FOR STAGE MANAGEMENT: Laura D. Glenn, Steppenwolf Theatre Firm
The 57th Fairness Particular Awards have been introduced to 5 theaters celebrating anniversaries, together with the Goodman Theatre for its a centesimal anniversary, and Marriott Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Oak Park Competition Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre Firm for his or her fiftieth anniversaries.