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Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Receives Regional Tony Award

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New York City — Two of Chicago's theater companies won big last night at the at the 62nd Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards hosted by Whoopi Goldberg at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's critically-acclaimed American play August: Osage County by Steppenwolf ensemble member Tracy Letts and directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro, won five 2008 Tony Awards last night in New York City. 

Nominated for seven 2008 Tony Awards, August: Osage County received Best Play (ensemble member Tracy Letts), Best Leading Actress (Deanna Dunagan), Best Direction (ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro), Best Featured Actress (ensemble member Rondi Reed), and Best Scenic Design (Todd Rosenthal). 

"Steppenwolf is enormously proud of the Tony winners and nominees for August: Osage County," comments Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey.  "The play, written and directed by Steppenwolf ensemble members with a cast featuring ensemble actors, was commissioned by and premiered at our theater in Chicago.  We are deeply grateful to our Chicago audiences for their ongoing support of our theater that has allowed us to become a premier American theater for the development and production of new work," adds Lavey.

August: Osage County is currently playing at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street), following its premiere and sold-out run at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company.  The National Tour of August: Osage County will begin at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco in August 2009.  Subsequent engagements will be announced shortly.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater also represented Chicago's theatre community by receiving the 2008 Regional Theatre Tony Award during last night's ceremony.

"This is not only an extraordinary honor for Chicago Shakespeare Theater, it is a bold statement for Chicago—the ‘Tony-est' city in America, now claiming four Regional Theatre Tony Awards," said Executive Director Criss Henderson upon receiving news of the Award. "We recognize that our work is made possible by a welcoming artistic community, generous support from our Board and community leaders throughout the City, enthusiastic subscribers and audience members."

The 2008 Tony Awards were broadcast live on Sunday, June 15, 2008.  For a complete list of winners, visit www.tonyawards.com.

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