The largest production in Writers Theatre's 34-year history just earned one of its biggest honors. "Leopoldstadt," Tom Stoppard's final play, received six 2026 Equity Jeff Award nominations announced Tuesday, July 22, tying with four other productions for the second-most nominations in this year's cycle. Only "Birds of North America" at A Red Orchid Theatre and "White Christmas" at the Paramount Theatre led with seven each, according to Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones, who reported the full nominations Tuesday.
The Glencoe theater's six nominations span production, direction, ensemble, and design: Production of a Play (Large), Ensemble for a Play, Director of a Play for Carey Perloff, Costume Design for Alex Jaeger, Sound Design for Jane Shaw, and Artistic Specialization for hair, wig, and makeup designer Tom Watson.
For North Shore audiences who have filled the 325 Tudor Court theater since the show opened in June, the nominations add institutional recognition to strong ticket demand. The production has already been extended twice. Perloff, who had never directed in Chicago before this production, collaborated directly with Stoppard before his death in late 2025 to adapt the script from its original 42-actor London staging down to 23 performers, including eight children. The Writers Theatre version includes the last script revisions Stoppard ever made.
"Writers told me that this was the play these Chicago actors wanted to do the most," Perloff said in a June 8 Tribune profile. "They all stuck with it. They are absolutely fierce and they all love to work together."
The cast features Chicago actors Kate Fry, Sean Fortunato, Ian Barford, and Joey Slotnick, among others. Jones gave the production 3.5 stars on June 15, praising it as essential viewing for Stoppard fans.
"Leopoldstadt" was not Writers Theatre's only showing in the nominations. The theater also earned nods for "As You Like It," "Job," "Two Sisters and a Piano," and "Rachmaninoff and the Tsar," with artistic director Braden Abraham nominated for directing the musical "As You Like It." Writers Theatre has now accumulated more than 172 Jeff nominations and 33 awards since its founding in 1992 in the back room of Books on Vernon bookstore in Glencoe.
The show has been extended through Saturday, August 16. Tickets run $35–$95 at writerstheatre.org or 847-242-6000.
The 58th Anniversary Jeff Awards ceremony takes place Monday, September 14, at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 24, at jeffawards.org.
North Shore community and culture week ahead
Wednesday, July 22 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Glencoe | Chicago Botanic Garden, Esplanade | Dancing Queen (ABBA tribute), Evening Music series. Free with admission or membership.
Friday, July 24 | 8:30–10 a.m. | Glencoe | Chicago Botanic Garden | Members-only Early Access to the Model Railroad Garden. Free for members.
Monday, July 27 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Glencoe | Chicago Botanic Garden, Esplanade | Classical Blast (classical), Evening Music series. Free with admission or membership.
Wednesday, July 29 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Glencoe | Chicago Botanic Garden, Esplanade | The Donna Herula Band (Blues & Americana), Evening Music series. Free with admission or membership.
Through August 16 | Glencoe | Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court | "Leopoldstadt" by Tom Stoppard. $35–$95. writerstheatre.org.
Through September 20 | Glencoe | Chicago Botanic Garden | Shimmering Summer installation. Included with admission.
Through Labor Day | Glencoe | Chicago Botanic Garden | Butterflies & Blooms exhibit. Weather permitting.
