Porchlight Music Theatre is a professional theatre company in Chicago, Illinois which has won numerous Joseph Jefferson Awards in its twenty-year history presenting musicals and non-musical productions. Originally named Porchlight Theatre Ensemble, its initial production in 1995 was the premier of Women Who Love Science Too Much by K. R. Cahill and directed by William Eric Bramlett.
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In 2013–2014 it was nominated for ten Jeff Awards, including nominations for its productions of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Ain’t Misbehavin’. A total of eight individual nominations were also received. Porchlight won four of the awards, including for its production of Ain’t Misbehavin’.
About
Porchlight Music Theatre has staged 59 productions including five world premieres and twelve Chicago premieres. The theatre was founded in 1994 by former Artistic Director Jill Moore and others. According to their website, the group "aimed to create a company that would feel like home to artists and audiences alike."
Under L. Walter Stearns' leadership from 1998–2010, the company took on more ambitious works and added its first Equity contracts in 2004. Porchlight’s critically acclaimed production of Ragtime in 2006–2007 was a turning point for the theatre, and Porchlight’s reputation dramatically grew.
In 2010, Michael Weber took the helm at Porchlight as artistic director. Michael Weber previously served as artistic director for the inaugural season of Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (now The Broadway Playhouse) and at Theatre at the Center (1998–2004).
During its 2013–2014 season, Porchlight was nominated for 12 Joseph Jefferson Awards, and took home four Jeff Awards including Production of a Revue for Ain't Misbehavin', Artistic Associate Brenda Didier for her direction of Ain't Misbehavin', Artistic Associate Austin Cook for his conducting Ain't Misbehavin' and Artistic Associate Bill Morey for his costume design for How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Over the years, Porchlight Music Theatre has received 31 Jeff Awards and 115 Jeff Award nominations, 28 After Dark Awards, 2 Black Theatre Alliance Awards and 11 BTA nominations.
For its current 21st season, Porchlight is producing the most recent Broadway adaptation of Side Show, their 2013 Jeff Award-Winning Ain't Misbehavin', the Chicago premiere of Far From Heaven and Dreamgirls.
In addition to mainstage programing, they also offer Porchlight Revisits… series of "lost" musicals in staged concerts, exploring “forgotten” Broadway musicals.
Awards
Below are the list of Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for the 2013–14 season.