Copyright 2000 by the Chicago Tribune)

Famous Door Theatre's "Ghetto" and Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace's "1776" took home the top prizes as best production of a play and musical, respectively, at the 32nd annual Jeff Awards ceremony honoring excellence in Chicago area theater.

A total of 27 awards, presented by the 45-member Joseph Jefferson Awards committee, were handed out Monday night at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.

The long-run "Ghetto," a make-or-break production for Famous Door, also was given the Michael Maggio Award for outstanding director of a play, newly named in honor of the late Chicago director. The award went to Calvin MacLean. Julia Neary, who portrayed a ventriloquist's dummy, won for her supporting role in "Ghetto."

The Jeff committee this year viewed 118 productions of theaters with Actors Equity contracts, and of these 54 were nominated.

Goodman Theatre won six awards for its productions, the most for any single organization; but the awards this year were well spread among many theaters.

Ross Lehman and Peggy Roeder were hosts for the brisk, lively evening, which featured tap dancing, comedy routines and strong singing performances as part of its entertainment.

The winners were:

Production, play: "Ghetto," Famous Door Theatre.

Best production, musical: "1776," Drury Lane Oakbrook.

Director, play: Calvin MacLean, "Ghetto."

Director, musical: Ray Frewen and Gary Griffin, "1776."

Actress in a principal role, play: Irma P. Hall, "A Raisin in the Sun," Goodman.

Actor in a principal role, play: William Brown, "Nixon's Nixon," Writers' Theatre.

Actress in a supporting role, play: Julia Neary, "Ghetto."

Actor in a supporting role, play: Roy Dotrice, "A Moon for the Misbegotten," Goodman.

Actress in a principal role, musical: E. Faye Butler, "Dinah Was," Northlight.

Actor in a principal role, musical: Andrew J. Lupp, "My One and Only," Drury Lane Oakbrook.

Actress in a supporting role, musical: Kelly Anne Clark, "Victor/ Victoria," Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

Actor in a supporting role, musical: Nikkieli DeMone, "Side Show," Northlight.

Actress, revue: La Tonya Beacham, "Mahalia," The Black Ensemble Theater.

Actor in a revue: Chester Gregory II, "The Jackie Wilson Story," Black Ensemble.

Ensemble: "Among the Thugs," Next Theatre.

New work: Rebecca Gilman, "Boy Gets Girl," Goodman Theatre.

New adaptation: Mary Zimmerman, "The Odyssey."

Scenic design: Geoffrey M. Curley, "(sic)," Roadworks with Soho Rep.

Costume design: Paul Tazewell, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting design: T. J. Gerckens, "The Odyssey."

Sound design: Lindsay Jones, "Among the Thugs."

Choreography: Tammy Mader, "My One and Only."

Original music: Michael Bodeen and Willie Schwarz, "The Odyssey."

Musical direction: Tom Murray, "Once on This Island," Apple Tree Theatre.

Non-resident awards: Production: "Fosse." Actress: Heather Headley in "Aida." Actor: Joseph Anthony Foronda in "Miss Saigon."

Special awards: Joyce and Byrne Piven of Piven Theatre Workshop; Kary M. Walker, former executive producer, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Rterrace.