Big Night at the Tonys and Other Chicago Things
Sunday June 15, 2008
On Sunday, the Steppenwolf's gripping August: Osage County snared a ton of Tony Awards in New York City including Best Play. Deanna Dunagan, pictured at right, won Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her portrayal of the maniacal matriarch of an Oklahoman family. If you were fortunate enough to see the play here in Chicago like I was, you know she was a shoo in.
What I loved best was her acceptance speech. According to the Associated Press she said, "This is so overwhelming. This whole year has been entirely unexpected and astonishing. ... After 34 years in regional theater, I never thought about it (the Tonys). I watched it on television like everybody else."
That quote, in my opinion, reveals Chicago at its best. It's a city that vibrates with artists who have talent worthy of national and international merit. Yet, they are often more dedicated to pursuing the excellence of their craft than they are with tracking down the limelight of the coasts. Glad to see them getting some lime now.
And, just in case that wasn't enough, Chicago's Shakespeare Theater grabbed Best Regional Theatre honors.
Bravo.
Photo © Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Comments
It was a fabulous night for Steppenwolf, our fabulous Shakespeare Theater and, you nailed it,Jennifer, Chicago!
How exciting to have that kind of recognition. It’s well deserved. Our city has some wonderful local production companies in addition to the well-established houses like Steppenwolf and Goodman….the House Theatre, Victory Gardens, etc. And it starts early with productions for children like the Emerald City Theater which is so much fun! We are a hotbed of local talent!