Will the exposure and recognition that Chicago theater received at the Tonys?

Question

( "August : Osage County" wins 5 awards - Chicago Shakespeare Theater wins the regional theatre award, and Patti LuPone mentions the Ravinia Festival in her acceptance speech) result in Chicago being more recognized as a great city for theatre, or will the fine folks in New York continue to look at Chicagoans as a bunch of Midwestern hicks?

(I live in Chicago, and have seen shows both here and on Broadway, and think that, while we don't have the sheer number of productions going on, our best here is every bit as good as the best NY has to offer) Will we see more Chicago originated shows making the jump to the Broadway stage? Or will it be treated as just a fluke?

Answer 1

shhhhhsshhhhhh! take a breath in....smell that sweet, warm chicago air....? don't even worry about new york. why should you!?!?! CHICAGO ROCKS!!!!! i am a recent southern transplant, i only moved to chicago about six months ago, but have wanted to move here since 2000. i finally did it and i love it. chicago has the best theatre scene i've ever come across. it's completely innovative and accessible and there's so many avenues!!!! i'm a little stuck right now at tony and tina's but it's a paying gig...right! that's why i like chicago. they're not trying to be new york...why would you? chicago has it's own unique flavor with great people and the fact that the city has finally earned some global recognition is just icing on the cake. yay chicago!!! you're no fluke!

Answer 2

I would think so.

Chicago was already regarded as a "high profile" theatre city (just behind places like NYC and L.A.)

But i'd imagine that the exposure at the Tony's would increase their credibility even higher and help raise ticket sales.

Steppenwolf has always had a well respected name and i've personally seen a couple of shows at the CST and have been very impressed with their work.

To answer your question... no, not a fluke  :)