Broadway In Chicago is beyond excited for the 2015 Tony Awards on June 7th! Until the award ceremony, we’ll be highlighting the nominees in each category and filling you in on some fun facts each week. Today we’re focusing on Best Lighting Design of a Play and Best Lighting Design of a Musical!

(Left to Right: Paule Constable, David Plater, Natasha Katz, Japhy Weideman)

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Paule Constable – “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”

Paule Constable and David Plater – “Wolf Hall Parts One & Two”

Natasha Katz – “Skylight”

Japhy Weideman – “Airline Highway”

Here’s a few fun facts:

– Paule Constable won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Lighting Design of a play for “War Horse.”  The production of “War Horse” toured through Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre December 18, 2012 – January 5, 2013.

– Paule Constable was also the lighting designer for the 2010 25th Anniversary Touring Production of “Les Misérables” which played at the Cadillac Palace Theatre November 14, 2012 – December 2, 2012.

– Natasha Katz won the 2012 Tony Award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for “Once,” which toured through the Oriental Theatre October 9, 2013 – October 27, 2013 and will be returning to Chicago June 2, 2015 – June 7, 2015 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

– Natasha Katz was also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Lighting Design in 1994 for “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” which recently toured through Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre March 25, 2015 – March 29, 2015.

(Left to Right: Donald Holder, Natasha Katz, Ben Stanton, Japhy Weideman)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder – “The King and I”

Natasha Katz – “An American in Paris”

Ben Stanton – “Fun Home”

Japhy Weideman – “The Visit”

Here’s a few more fun facts:

– Japhy Weideman designed the lighting for “Airline Highway” at Steppenwolf Theatre Company which premiered here in Chicago December 14, 2014 – February 14, 2015.

– Donald Holder won the 1998 Tony Award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for “The Lion King” which will be returning to Chicago at the Cadillac Palace December 2, 2015 – January 17, 2016.

– Don Holder was also was the lighting designer for “Big Fish” which premiered at the Oriental Theatre April 2, 2013 – May 5, 2013.