Pen Players Company Members Receive Jefferson Award Nominations

Chicago Theater’s Joseph Jefferson Award nominations were recently announced, with several of Door County’s Peninsula Players company members receiving nods. The Joseph Jefferson Awards are Chicago Theater’s equivalent to Broadway’s Antoinette Perry “Tony” Award, and the awards annual honor outstanding theater artists in the Chicago theater community since it was established in 1968.

Linda Fortunato, who plays Susy, an unsuspecting blind woman terrorized by conmen in Wait Until Dark, was nominated for her work as choreographer of Theatre at the Center’s production of Crazy for You. Fortunato choreographed the Players’ musical, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine last month.

Keith Pitts, who designed the set for Wait Until Dark, was also nominated for his scenic design of Weekend at TimeLine Theatre Company.

Sean Fortunato, who played one of the Marx’s brothers in A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine and Chicago in Is He Dead?, was nominated for two Jeff Awards; for his supporting role in the musical The Producers and for his lead role in Curtains.

Tom Mula, who has been a Players’ company member for 15 years and is directing the Players’ production of Around the World in 80 Days, was nominated for his solo performance of his play Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol at Wit Theatre.

Jack Magaw, who designed the sets for The Lady with All the Answers and A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine was nominated for his set design of Picnic at Writer’s Theatre.

Rachel Laritz, who designed the costumes for Is He Dead?, was nominated for her costume design of The Voysey Inheritance at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company.

“Peninsula Players is very pleased to bring these professionals to perform for Door County audiences,” Audra Baakari-Boyle, Peninsula Players Business Manager, said. “When you see their work on the Players’ stage you know why they have been nominated for this prestigious award.”