AWA RDS 20 15


Chicago loves the stage, whether it’s in a 4,000-seat palace downtown or the proverbial church basement. And a theater scene as vast and varied as this city’s deserves all the recognition we can give it. To that end, we present the first-ever Time Out Chicago Theater Awards. We chose nominees in 10 categories from shows that opened between June 1, 2014, and May 31, 2015, and asked you, the good folk of Chicago, to pick the winners. Our critics also came up with some special plaudits of our own. Now, on with the show!


READERS’ CHOICE


Best Design


Marie Antoinette, Clint Ramos (scenic), Dede M. Ayite (costumes), Japhy Weideman (lighting), Dave Bova (wigs and makeup), Lindsay Jones (sound and original music), Jeff Sugg (projections)


The flashy, fashion-forward design elements of director Robert O’Hara’s production of David Adjmi’s take on the French queen were a bit of a departure for Steppenwolf. But as a


commentary on celebrity culture then and now, Ramos’s mirrored runway, Ayite’s sickening costumes for Alana Arenas and friends, and Jones’s groovy French hip-hop soundtrack combine with everything else for a royal aesthetic experience. OTHER NOMINEES: Balm in Gilead, Griffin Theatre Company; A Map of Virtue, Cor Theatre; Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, Theater Wit; Stupid Fucking Bird, Sideshow Theatre Company


Marie Antoinette BestActor


Michael Patrick Thornton, Title and Deed Thornton has long been known as a uniquely soulful actor. He’s also worked well before with playwright Will Eno’s quirky, inquisitive style. But something about the pairing of the two, along with director Marti Lyons, on this solo piece at Lookingglass seemed to ignite an engaging and unnerving new flame in Thornton. His weary traveler from parts unknown pierced audiences deep. OTHER NOMINEES: Travis Delgado, The Jungle, Oracle Theatre; Steve Haggard, Accidentally, Like a Martyr, A Red Orchid Theatre; Jerod Haynes, Native Son, Court Theatre and American Blues Theater; Matthew Keffer, The Wild Party, Bailiwick Chicago


September–November 2015 TIMEOUT.COM/CHICAGO 25


PHOTOGRAPH: MICHAEL BROSILOW


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76